The ACB has announced their initial team for the Asia Cup and isn’t concerned about Rashid Khan’s current performance
The ACB has announced their initial team for the Asia Cup and isn’t concerned about Rashid Khan’s current performance
Asia Cup 2025: The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has named a 22-man preliminary squad for the upcoming T20 Asia Cup. The tournament is set to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) between September 9 to September 28.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has expressed full confidence in Rashid Khan ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup, saying they’re not worried about his recent dip in form. Rashid, who will lead the 22-member preliminary squad, had a below-par IPL season with Gujarat Titans, taking just nine wickets at an economy rate of 9.34 and an average of 57.11. He also chose to skip the Major League Cricket tournament for MI New York after the IPL. Despite this, ACB’s selection committee member Mir Mubariz said Rashid is a proven match-winner who knows how to bounce back during big tournaments.
To prepare for the Asia Cup, which will be held in the UAE from September 9 to 28, Afghanistan will host a two-week training camp followed by a tri-nation T20I series involving UAE and Pakistan. Mubariz mentioned that the final squad for the Asia Cup will likely be selected from the 22 players in the camp, unless injuries force changes. He added that the coaching staff and captain will closely observe the new players during the camp before making final decisions.
The squad includes a strong group of fast bowlers like Abdullah Ahmadzai, Bashir Ahmad, and Salim Safi, who is returning from injury. All three are capable of bowling at speeds around 140 km/h.
Afghanistan’s spin department remains one of the best in the world, featuring Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi, and Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar. They’ve also added Nangyal Kharoti and Sharafuddin Ashraf, with Ashraf being praised for his consistent performances in domestic cricket, including being named Player of the Tournament in the Shpageeza 2025.
Several new faces have been included in the camp, such as top-order batter Wafiullah Tarakhil, who impressed in domestic competitions and played for the A team. Young pacers Abdullah Ahmadzai and Bashir Ahmad are also seen as future stars. Mubariz explained that after the tri-series and training camp, the coach, captain, and selectors will decide on the final squad for the Asia Cup.
As for the opening pair, the team has three options: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, and Ibrahim Zadran. Mubariz said the final decision will depend on match conditions and strategy, but all three will be part of the top order. Afghanistan will kick off their Asia Cup campaign on September 9 against Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi, followed by matches against Bangladesh on September 16 and Sri Lanka on September 18.
Afghanistan's 22-member preliminary squad: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), 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, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Naveen ul Haq, Farid Malik, Saleem Safi, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Bashir Ahmad.