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.

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

3. 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.

4. 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 

Happy with our 15-member #AfghanAtalan lineup for the ICC Champions Trophy!? 🤩🏆#ChampionsTrophy 🔗: https://t.co/uZfvLZ8U8D pic.twitter.com/7bmUJuzHFb

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) January 12, 2025

Afghanistan Fixtures at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025:

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Ibrahim Zadran etched his name in World Cup history as the first Afghan batter to reach a century during a group-stage clash against Australia at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. Zadran’s maiden World Cup hundred, achieved in 131 deliveries, included a powerful display against Josh Hazlewood in the 44th over.

Before this feat, Samiullah Shinwari’s 96 off 147 balls against Scotland in the 2015 World Cup was Afghanistan’s highest individual score in the tournament. Intriguingly, Zadran’s 87 against Pakistan during this World Cup ranks as the third-highest by an Afghan batter in the event.

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At 21 years and 330 days old, Zadran stands as the fourth youngest centurion in World Cup history, following Paul Sterling of Ireland, Ricky Ponting of Australia, and Avishka Fernando of Sri Lanka. In a blend of aggression and finesse, Zadran showcased his skills against Australia’s formidable bowlers. His resilience and ability to find boundaries and sixes under pressure contributed significantly to the team’s score.

Zadran’s century arrived at a pivotal moment, bolstering Afghanistan’s challenging situation with a substantial partnership. His composed innings offered hope to a team facing difficulties. Throughout World Cup 2023, Zadran has made history and achieved remarkable personal milestones.

Ibrahim Zadran’s Record-Breaking Journey

In a recent milestone, Ibrahim Zadran became the fastest Afghan cricketer to reach 1,000 career runs in One-Day Internationals, surpassing compatriot Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s record. Zadran achieved this feat in just 24 innings, marking a significant moment in his ODI career that commenced in 2019 against West Indies in Lucknow.