Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has officially revealed its squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, with star leg-spinner Rashid Khan named as captain. The announcement sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting tournament, beginning on September 9.
Rashid Khan Takes Charge
Rashid Khan, widely regarded as one of the best all-round cricketers in the world, will lead Afghanistan in this year’s Asia Cup. Known for his sharp leg-spin, explosive batting, and exceptional leadership qualities, Rashid’s captaincy will be crucial as Afghanistan look to make a strong impact in Group B.
Full Afghanistan Squad for Asia Cup 2025
The squad is a balanced mix of experienced campaigners and young rising stars:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz – Wicketkeeper-batter known for his aggressive starts.
- Ibrahim Zadran – Reliable top-order batter with consistent form.
- Darwish Rasooli
- Sediqullah Atal
- Azmatullah Omarzai – Hard-hitting all-rounder.
- Karim Janat
- Mohammad Nabi – Veteran all-rounder, former captain.
- Gulbadin Naib – Experienced all-rounder.
- Sharafuddin Ashraf
- Mohammad Ishaq
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman – Mystery spinner with game-changing ability.
- A.M. Ghazanfar
- Noor Ahmad – Left-arm spinner, highly rated youngster.
- Fareed Ahmad Malik
- Naveen-ul-Haq – T20 specialist, key pace bowler.
- Fazalhaq Farooqi – Left-arm pacer, effective in powerplays.
This squad highlights Afghanistan’s growing depth, particularly in spin bowling and all-round options.
Preparations Before the Tournament
Ahead of the Asia Cup, Afghanistan will take part in a tri-nation series, a crucial opportunity to test their combinations and build momentum. This preparation is expected to give the players valuable match practice before the high-pressure encounters in the continental event.
Afghanistan in Group B
In the Asia Cup 2025, Afghanistan has been placed in Group B, where they will face Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong. While Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have historically been strong teams in the competition, Afghanistan’s recent rise in world cricket makes them a serious contender.
What to Expect from Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s strength lies in its world-class spin attack, led by Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad. With power hitters like Gurbaz and Omarzai, and the experience of Nabi and Naib, the team has both firepower and balance.
If the batting lineup finds consistency, Afghanistan could emerge as one of the surprise packages of the tournament. Fans will be eager to see if Rashid Khan’s men can go beyond the group stages and challenge for the Asia Cup title.
