The Afghanistan Cricket Board has revealed its 17-player squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, which will be held in Abu Dhabi and Dubai from September 9 to 28.
Rashid Khan Leads the Team
Star leg-spinner Rashid Khan will captain the side. He brings both skill and experience, having led Afghanistan in many big matches before. Alongside him are senior players like Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, and hard-hitting wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
Naveen-ul-Haq Returns
Fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq is back in the squad after nine months. His return strengthens the pace attack, which already includes Fazalhaq Farooqi and Farid Malik.
Afghanistan Asia Cup 2025 – Main Squad
- Rashid Khan (Captain)
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Darwish Rasooli
- Sediqullah Atal
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Karim Janat
- Mohammad Nabi
- Gulbadin Naib
- Sharafuddin Ashraf
- Mohammad Ishaq
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman
- Allah Ghazanfar
- Noor Ahmad
- Farid Malik
- Naveen-ul-Haq
- Fazalhaq Farooqi
Standby / Reserve Players
- Wafiullah Tarakhil
- Nangyal Kharote
- Abdullah Ahmadzai
Mix of Experience and Young Talent
The squad includes reliable top-order batters like Ibrahim Zadran and Darwish Rasooli, while young players such as Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Ishaq, and 17-year-old spinner Allah Ghazanfar add excitement and unpredictability.
Backup Players
Three reserve players have been named in case of injuries:
- Wafiullah Tarakhil
- Nangyal Kharote
- Abdullah Ahmadzai
Strong Bowling Attack
Afghanistan’s bowling is one of the strongest in the tournament. With Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi controlling the middle overs, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Noor Ahmad add spin variety. The pace attack is led by Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi.Afghanistan’s Asia Cup 2025 Fixtures
| Sept 9 | Afghanistan vs Hong Kong | 7:30 PM | Abu Dhabi |
| Sept 16 | Afghanistan vs Bangladesh | 7:30 PM | Abu Dhabi |
| Sept 18 | Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka | 7:30 PM | Abu Dhabi |
Afghanistan is placed in Group B with Hong Kong, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
Conclusion
Afghanistan’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025 shows a strong mix of experienced players and exciting young talent. With Rashid Khan leading the team and key players like Mohammad Nabi, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz in action, the team looks well-prepared to take on tough opponents.
Their balanced bowling attack and confident batting lineup give them a real chance to make history in this tournament. Fans will be hoping for a powerful performance as Afghanistan aims to go beyond the group stage and challenge the top teams in Asia.
