Spinner swap confirmed as Afghanistan lock in Champions Trophy squad
Shastri, Ponting preview the epic ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 | The ICC Review
Afghanistan have finalised their squad for the ICC Champions Trophy, with teenage spinner AM Ghazanfar ruled out of the tournament due to a back injury.
Every Champions Trophy squad
Ghazanfar will miss the eight-team event held in Pakistan and the UAE in what is a blow to Afghanistan's spin department that is already missing experienced spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
Left-armer Nangyal Kharoti is drafted into Afghanistan's squad for the Champions Trophy, with the 20-year-old looking to add to his seven ODI caps for his country and first since he featured against Bangladesh in Sharjah towards the end of last year.
WATCH: Mujeeb in action at the 2023 World Cup
Mujeeb Ur Rahman trapped Wesley Barresi lbw for one in his very first over. With this, he reached the landmark of 100 ODI wickets.
"Afghanistan's young spin-bowling sensation, AM Ghazanfar, has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy due to a fracture in the L4 vertebra, specifically in the left pars interarticularis," the team confirmed via a statement.
"He sustained the injury during Afghanistan's recently held tour Zimbabwe, and will be sidelined for a minimum of four months and will remain under treatment during this period.
"Nangyal Kharoti, who was part of the reserves pool, has been promoted to the main squad for the Champions Trophy. Additionally, Mujeeb Ur Rahman's continues to miss the ODI action, until he has fully recovered."
Afghanistan commence their Champions Trophy campaign against South Africa in Karachi, with further Group B contests against England and Australia to follow in Lahore.
WATCH: Champions Trophy song revealed
The official song of Champions Trophy 2025 'Jeeto Baazi Khel Ke' featuring Atif Aslam is out now!
Afghanistan squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharote, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, Naveed Zadran. Reserves: Darwish Rasooli, Bilal Sami
Afghanistan's Group Stage Fixtures:
21 February - Afghanistan vs South Africa, Karachi
26 February - Afghanistan vs England, Lahore
28 February - Afghanistan vs Australia, Lahore ICC Champions Trophy, 2025 News
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