Can Afghanistan Make History in the Asia Cup 2025? The Afghanistan squad for Asia Cup 2025 has officially been announced, and fans are buzzing with excitement! The tournament will take place from September 9 to September 28 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), featuring top teams from across Asia. Afghanistan will kick off its campaign with a thrilling match against Hong Kong on September 9 at 7:30 PM in Abu Dhabi. They are placed in Group B, alongside Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong.
The team will be led by Hashmatullah Shahidi in ODIs and Tests, while Rashid Khan captains the T20I side. With a mix of experienced players and young talent, Afghanistan looks ready to make a strong impact. Continue reading to explore the full squad list, player profiles, team strategies, and match schedule updates.
Asia Cup 2025 Overview
- Dates: September 9 – September 28, 2025
- Host Country: United Arab Emirates
- Format: T20 International
- Groups:
- Group A: India, Pakistan, UAE, Oman
- Group B: Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Hong Kong
- Afghanistan’s First Match:
- vs Hong Kong
- Abu Dhabi
- 7:30 PM (local time)
- September 9, 2025
Afghanistan Team Leadership
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Test & ODI Captain | Hashmatullah Shahidi |
| T20I Captain | Rashid Khan |
| Vice Captain | Rahmat Shah |
Afghanistan Squad for Asia Cup 2025
Batters
| Player Name | Role | Batting Style | Bowling Style | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hashmatullah Shahidi (c) | Top-order Batter | Left-hand Bat | Right-arm Offbreak | 30y |
| Ibrahim Zadran | Opening Batter | Right-hand Bat | Right-arm Medium Fast | 23y |
| Ikram Alikhil (†) | Wicketkeeper Batter | Left-hand Bat | — | 24y |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz (†) | Wicketkeeper Batter | Right-hand Bat | Right-arm Medium | 23y |
| Sediqullah Atal | Opening Batter | Left-hand Bat | — | 23y |
All-rounders
| Player Name | Role | Batting Style | Bowling Style | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahmat Shah (vc) | Allrounder | Right-hand Bat | Legbreak Googly | 31y |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | Allrounder | Right-hand Bat | Right-arm Medium Fast | 24y |
| Gulbadin Naib | Batting Allrounder | Right-hand Bat | Right-arm Medium Fast | 33y |
| Mohammad Nabi | Allrounder | Right-hand Bat | Right-arm Offbreak | 40y |
| Nangeyalia Kharote | Allrounder | Left-hand Bat | Slow Left-arm Orthodox | 20y |
| Rashid Khan | Bowling Allrounder | Right-hand Bat | Legbreak Googly | 26y |
Bowlers
| Player Name | Role | Batting Style | Bowling Style | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fareed Ahmad | Bowler | Left-hand Bat | Left-arm Fast Medium | 30y |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | Bowler | Right-hand Bat | Left-arm Fast Medium | 24y |
| Naveed Zadran | Bowler | Right-hand Bat | Right-arm Medium | 19y |
| Noor Ahmad | Bowler | Right-hand Bat | Left-arm Wrist Spin | 20y |
| AM Ghazanfar (Withdrawn) | Bowler | Right-hand Bat | Right-arm Offbreak | 18y |
Team Strategy & Strengths
Key Strengths
- World-Class Spin Attack: Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and Nangeyalia Kharote
- Explosive Batting: Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal
- All-Round Depth: Nabi, Omarzai, Naib
Challenges
- Middle-Order Stability: Needs consistency under pressure
- Fast Bowling Depth: Lacks variety compared to top-tier teams
- Knockout Pressure: Historically struggled in high-stakes matches
Key Players to Watch
| Player Name | Specialty |
|---|---|
| Rashid Khan | Spin wizard & lower-order hitter |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Aggressive opening batter |
| Mohammad Nabi | Veteran all-rounder |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | Death-over specialist |
Afghanistan Squad Coaching & Support Staff
- ODI/Test Captain: Hashmatullah Shahidi
- T20I Captain: Rashid Khan
- Vice Captain: Rahmat Shah
- Head Coach: Jonathan Trott
- Bowling Coach: Hamid Hassan
- Batting Coach: Andrew Puttick
Asia Cup 2025 Afghanistan Squad Essentials
Official Kit: Asia Cup 2025 Edition
Afghanistan’s kit for the Asia Cup 2025 features a bold and modern design, reflecting the team’s vibrant spirit and national pride. The jersey blends traditional Afghan motifs with contemporary styling, using shades of blue and red — symbolic of resilience and unity. Expect to see the iconic eagle emblem and the Afghanistan Cricket Board logo prominently displayed.
Afghanistan Squad Sponsors & Partners
While the official sponsors for Asia Cup 2025 are yet to be confirmed, past partnerships have included:
- Marhaba Cars Auction
- Pika Show Digital Streaming Platform
These sponsors have supported the team in previous tournaments, and new commercial partners are expected to be announced closer to the tournament start date.
Home Ground: Kabul International Cricket Stadium
Although Afghanistan plays most of its international matches at neutral venues due to political and logistical challenges, Kabul International Cricket Stadium remains the symbolic home of Afghan cricket. It serves as a training base and hosts domestic fixtures, nurturing the next generation of Afghan talent.
Afghanistan Men’s Cricket Team History – A Story of Passion and Progress
Afghanistan’s journey in international cricket is truly inspiring. It all started in the 1980s and 1990s, when Afghan refugees living in Pakistan picked up the sport. After returning home, they brought cricket with them, and it quickly became popular among the youth.
In 1995, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) was formed. By 2001, Afghanistan became an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC), officially entering the world of international cricket.
Fast Rise Through the Ranks
Between 2008 and 2009, Afghanistan won several ICC tournaments, moving up from Division Five to Division Three. This success earned them ODI status, and they played their first major tournament — the 2010 T20 World Cup.
In 2015, Afghanistan qualified for their first 50-over World Cup. They won one match against Scotland, but their energy and talent showed they had great potential.
Rise of Star Players
The 2010s saw the rise of Afghan cricket legends like Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan. Rashid became one of the best T20 bowlers in the world, playing in top leagues like the IPL.
In 2017, Afghanistan was granted Full Member status by the ICC, allowing it to play Test matches. Their first Test win came in 2019 against Ireland.
Recent Achievements
- In 2023, Afghanistan had a strong ODI World Cup campaign, beating big teams like England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Netherlands.
- In 2024, they reached the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup, proving they’re no longer underdogs.
- They also won four ODI series in 2024 against Ireland, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe.
Challenges & Growth
Despite political challenges and limited Test matches, Afghanistan has continued to grow. They’ve become a respected team in world cricket, known for their fighting spirit and talented players.
Current ICC Rankings (2025)
| Format | Ranking |
|---|---|
| Tests | 11 |
| ODIs | 7 |
| T20Is | 9 |
Afghanistan’s Asia Cup 2025 Schedule
see more: Asia Cup 2025 Schedule
- September 9: vs Hong Kong – Abu Dhabi – 7:30 PM
- More fixtures to be updated soon
Where to Watch Asia Cup 2025
Broadcast & Streaming Platforms by Region
| Region | TV Channels | Streaming Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | Ten Sports, PTV Sports | Tamasha, Tapmad |
| India | Star Sports | Disney+ Hotstar |
| UK | TNT Sports | Discovery+ |
| USA/Canada | Willow TV | ESPN+, Hotstar |
| Australia/New Zealand | Fox Sports, Sky Sport | Kayo Sports, Sky Go |
| Middle East | CricLife, StarzPlay | Switch TV |
Final Thoughts
Afghanistan’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025 looks promising. With a strong spin attack, explosive batters, and experienced all-rounders, they have the tools to challenge any team. If they stay consistent and handle pressure well, this could be their breakthrough tournament.
Want to know more about match schedules, team strategies, and player updates? Stay tuned — more exciting content is coming soon
FAQs
Q1. Who is Afghanistan’s captain for Asia Cup 2025?
A: Hashmatullah Shahidi (ODI/Test), Rashid Khan (T20I)
Q2. Can Afghanistan win the Asia Cup 2025?
A: Yes, if their key players perform consistently and handle pressure well.
Q3. When is Afghanistan’s first match?
A: September 9 vs Hong Kong at 7:30 PM in Abu Dhabi.
