afghanistan national cricket team squad for champions trophy

Introduction

Afghanistan national cricket team enters the Champions Trophy 2025 with a well-balanced and ambitious squad. The selectors eye consistency and impact. They deliver a mix of experienced stars and rising talent. Analysts spotlight Champions Trophy squad and ODI roster as high-search phrases. Those keywords appear naturally as I outline the squad, spotlight key players, and explore how the team stands poised to make its mark.

Squad Reveal & Strategy

The Afghanistan national cricket team names its 15-player squad on 12 January 2025 under coach Jonathan Trott . Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi leads the side, and the squad includes:

Hashmatullah Shahidi (c)

Ibrahim Zadran

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)

Sediqullah Atal

Rahman Shah (vc)

Ikram Alikhil (wk)

Gulbadin Naib

Azmatullah Omarzai

Mohammad Nabi

Rashid Khan

Nangialai Kharoti

Noor Ahmad

Fazalhaq Farooqi

Farid Malik

Naveed Zadra

They also name reserves Darwish Rasooli and Bilal Sami .

In early February, injury strikes: AM Ghazanfar misses out due to a back issue, prompting inclusion of Nangialai Kharoti as replacement .

This squad showcases strong spin options—Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and Kharoti—alongside pace from Fazalhaq Farooqi and Farid Malik. All-round skills come from Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib, while batting depth features Rahmat Shah, Sediqullah Atal, and the explosive openers Zadran and Gurbaz .

Preparations & Group Context

The Afghanistan national cricket team prepares rigorously with warm-up matches and camps. They play warm-up games against Pakistan Shaheens (14 Feb) and New Zealand (16 Feb) in Lahore and Karachi . They enter Group B alongside Australia, England, and South Africa .

Tournament resumes after long hiatus, and Afghanistan debuts in this format . Analysts label Afghanistan as “serious contenders for semi-finals” due to recent ODI form .

Afghanistan faces South Africa first in Karachi on 21 February, then England (26 Feb) and Australia (28 Feb) in Lahore .

The Afghanistan national cricket team features high-impact players:

Hashmatullah Shahidi commands leadership as ODI and Test captain, with a Test double century as highlight .

Rashid Khan remains a global bowling star, offering leg-spin mastery and match-turning ability .

Ibrahim Zadran returns to fitness after prior injury, adding explosive starts at the top .

Sediqullah Atal brings youthful energy, proven in Emerging Asia Cup and ODI form .

Nangialai Kharoti steps in as a strategic spinner, covering for Ghazanfar

Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib give balance with experience and all-round capabilities .

FAQ

Who captains the Afghanistan national cricket team in Champions Trophy 2025?

Hashmatullah Shahidi captains the side, supported by vice-captain Rahmat Shah .

Why did AM Ghazanfar miss the tournament?

He withdrew due to a back injury; Nangialai Kharoti replaced him .

Which formats does the team focus on?

They emphasize their ODI strength, aiming to leverage spin and batting firepower.

Who features among the all-rounders?

Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib provide seam and batting depth.

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ODI roster

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