Afghanistan name Rashid Khan as captain in preliminary squad for Asia Cup 2025
The Afghanistan Cricket Board has announced a 22-member preliminary squad for the Asia Cup 2025. The team will head to UAE for a two-week training camp in preparation for the upcoming tri-series against Pakistan and the UAE in Sharjah. Following the camp, the squad will be cut short to 15 players for the tri-series and the Asia Cup.
The tri-series is scheduled to begin on August 29, and the final will be played on September 7. Afghanistan will have no turnaround time for the Asia Cup, as they are set to play their first group-stage match against Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi on September 9, just two days later.
ACB Names Preliminary Squad for Preparation Camp in UAE
Afghanistan Cricket Board's National Selection Committee has finalized a 22-member preliminary squad that will feature in a two-week training and preparation camp ahead of their upcoming Tri-Nation Series and the ACC Men's… pic.twitter.com/kkZEML1Zqs
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) August 4, 2025
Rashid Khan named Afghanistan captain for Asia Cup
Rashid Khan, who served as captain of Afghanistan during their most recent Twenty20 International in December 2024, has been named captain of the Asia Cup by the ACB, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz has been named vice-captain.
After reaching the final four stage in the previous T20 edition of the Asia Cup in 2022, Afghanistan will aim to make it to their first final. In addition to being among the top sides in the shortest format, Afghanistan also has experience of playing in the UAE.
Afghanistan's strongest asset, spin bowling, is likely to thrive on the slow pitches, giving them a greater edge against top teams. Afghanistan has been improving each year and delivering strong performances against the best at ICC events. The upcoming Asia Cup could be their chance to secure their maiden ICC trophy
Afghanistan Preliminary squad for Asia Cup
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk & vc), Sediqullah Atal, Wafiullah Tarakhil, Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Ishaq, Rashid Khan (c), Mohammad Nabi, Nangyal Kharoti, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mujeeb Zadran, Amir Hamza Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad Lakanwal, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Farid Malik, Saleem Safi, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Bashir Ahmad.
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