Afghanistan Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Key Players and Insights

Afghanistan Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025: A Detailed Look

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has unveiled its 15-member squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will take place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9. The squad represents a perfect mix of experienced campaigners and young talents ready to shine on the global stage.

Let’s delve into the profiles of the selected players and analyze their roles in Afghanistan’s pursuit of Champions Trophy glory.

The Squad Breakdown

Batting Core

1. Ibrahim Zadran (Top-order batter)
   Known for his solid technique and temperament, Ibrahim Zadran is Afghanistan's go-to player for anchoring innings in challenging conditions.

Sediqullah Atal (Top-order batter)
A promising young batter, Atal brings aggression and flair to Afghanistan's top-order lineup.

Hashmatullah Shahidi (Captain) (Middle-order batter)
As the team captain, Shahidi’s calm leadership and dependable batting in the middle overs will be crucial for Afghanistan’s campaign.

Rahmat Shah (Vice-Captain) (Middle-order batter)
Rahmat adds stability and experience to the middle order, ensuring that the team has a solid platform to build competitive totals.

Wicketkeepers

5. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wicketkeeper-batter)
   A dynamic opening batter with an explosive approach, Gurbaz is equally skilled behind the stumps.

6. Ikram Alikhil (Wicketkeeper-batter)
   A technically sound wicketkeeper and a handy batter, Ikram offers a backup option for the team.

All-rounders

7. Gulbadin Naib
   With his ability to contribute with both bat and ball, Naib is a versatile asset to the team.

8. Mohammad Nabi
   The veteran all-rounder and former captain continues to be a match-winner for Afghanistan, offering sharp off-spin and lower-order batting strength.

9. Azmatullah Omarzai
   A rising star, Omarzai combines medium-pace bowling with hard-hitting lower-order batting.

10. Rashid Khan
    A superstar of global cricket, Rashid Khan is Afghanistan’s biggest weapon. His leg-spin, combined with his batting skills, makes him an invaluable asset.

Spin Arsenal

10. AM Ghazanfar
    A promising young spinner, Ghazanfar provides depth to Afghanistan's already impressive spin attack.

11. Noor Ahmad
    Another emerging talent, Noor Ahmad’s left-arm unorthodox spin offers a variation that can trouble the opposition.

Pace Department

13. Fazalhaq Farooqi (Fast bowler)
    The spearhead of Afghanistan’s pace attack, Farooqi’s ability to swing the ball both ways makes him a potent threat.

14. Naveed Zadran (Fast bowler)
    A fiery pacer, Naveed provides extra pace and bounce, complementing the team’s bowling unit.

15. Farid Ahmad Malik (Fast bowler)
    A reliable left-arm pacer, Farid adds variety to Afghanistan’s pace attack.

Reserves

• Darwish Rasooli (Middle-order batter): A promising batter waiting for his opportunity.
• Nangyal Kharoti (Spin bowler): A young spinner with potential to contribute if called upon.
• Bilal Sami (Fast bowler): A backup option to bolster the pace department when needed.

Afghanistan squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 

Category	Players
Batters	Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmat Shah (VC), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal
Wicketkeeper-Batters	Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ikram Alikhil
All-rounders	Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan
Bowlers	Noor Ahmad, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveed Zadran, Farid Ahmad Malik
Reserves	Darwish Rasooli (Batter), Nangyal Kharoti (Spinner), Bilal Sami (Fast Bowler)

Afghanistan Fixtures at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025:

Date	Match	Venue
Friday, February 21, 2025	Afghanistan vs South Africa	Karachi
Wednesday, February 26, 2025	Afghanistan vs England	Lahore
Friday, February 28, 2025	Afghanistan vs Australia	Lahore
Tuesday, March 04, 2025	Semi Final 1	Dubai
Wednesday, March 05, 2025	Semi Final 2	Lahore
Sunday, March 09, 2025	Final	Lahore/Dubai

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