New Delhi: The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced a 15-member squad for the ICC Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to start on February 19. The team has done well in the 2023 ODI Cricket World and 2024 T20 World Cup. Star batter Ibrahim Zadran, who was out of the action due to an ankle injury has returned to the team. Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead the side in the eight-team tournament and Rahmat Shah named as vice-captain of the team.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ikram Alikhil are the two wicketkeeping options in the squad. Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, and Gulbadin Naib are also included in the team along with Rashid Khan, Allah Ghazanfar, and Noor Ahmad. However, Mujeeb Ur Rahman has missed out on a selection as he is still recovering from the injury and has been advised by the doctors to focus on T20 cricket before returning to ODIs.
“AfghanAtalan have performed exceptionally well in the past two ICC events, the CWC23 and the ICC World T20 2024. Their impressive performances in these two events coupled with their ODI series victories last year will undoubtedly boost their morale and help them deliver an even better campaign this time” said ACB chairman Mr Mirwais Ashraf in a statement.
He further added that conditions in Pakistan are similar to those in Afghanistan and the UAE, where the team usually play and the board will conduct a preparation camp in multiple phases before heading to the Champions Trophy 2025.
“The expectations are high, and I hope the team will prepare well and deliver some excellent performances, just as they did in the last two World Cups,” he added.
Afghanistan squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, Naveed Zadran.
Reserves: Darwish Rasooli, Nangyal Kharoti, Bilal Sami.
Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced a 15-member squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Spinner Allah Ghazanfar is all set to play his first ICC tournament. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
