Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) unveiled a preliminary 22‑member squad in preparation for the upcoming T20I Tri‑Nation Series (versus Pakistan and hosts UAE) and the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 .
Key Highlights
Captaincy: Star spinner Rashid Khan has been named captain and will lead the side in both tournaments .
Preparation Camp: The squad will assemble in the UAE for an intensive two‑week training camp, focusing on fitness, tactical planning, and acclimatization to local playing conditions. A final 15‑man squad will be trimmed after the camp’s conclusion .
Tri‑Series Timeline: Scheduled to run from 29 August to 7 September at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Afghanistan will start its campaign with Pakistan in the opening match on 29 August, followed by a round‑robin stage where each team faces the others twice; the two best teams will clash in the final on 7 September .
Asia Cup Window: The tri‑series serves as a critical build‑up to the Asia Cup 2025, which will be held in the UAE from 9 to 28 September in the T20I format .
🏏 Squad Overview
Afghanistan’s preliminary squad includes a blend of seasoned veterans and exciting young talent:
Rashid Khan (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Wafiullah Tarakhil, Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Ishaq, Mohammad Nabi, Nangyal Kharoti, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mujeeb ur Rahman, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad Lakanwal, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen‑ul‑Haq, Farid Malik, Saleem Safi, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Bashir Ahmad .
Notably, Noor Ahmad, a promising young unorthodox spinner born in 2005, is part of the 22‑member group . Emerging opener Sediqullah Atal also returns to the fold after featuring in Afghanistan’s recent Champions Trophy squad .
Strategic Vision
The selection showcases a strategic balance:
Spin Power: With Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi, Sharafuddin Ashraf, and Noor Ahmad, Afghanistan emphasize mastering spin in UAE’s conditions.
Pace and All‑round Strength: Bowlers like Fazal Haq Farooqi, Naveen‑ul‑Haq, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Karim Janat offer pace and seam options. Power hitters Gulbadin Naib and Ibrahim Zadran bolster batting firepower.
Youth infusion: Names such as Wafiullah Tarakhil, Mohammad Ishaq, and Nangyal Kharoti reflect the ACB’s commitment to nurturing upcoming talent ahead of major tournaments.
What’s Next
Afghanistan will complete its training camp in the UAE later this month, after which the final 15‑member roster is expected. The team then embarks on their Sharjah tri‑series assignment from 29 August, ahead of the Asia Cup beginning 9 September .