Kabul, August 24, 2025 — Afghanistan have announced a strong 17-member squad for the upcoming men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE, with Rashid Khan leading the side. The selectors have bolstered their spin department by including AM Ghazanfar, a young mystery spinner, alongside Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi, making Afghanistan’s spin attack one of the most formidable in the tournament.
Afghanistan, who finished as the second-best Asian side at the last men’s T20 World Cup, are set to kick off their Asia Cup campaign on September 9 against Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi.
Ghazanfar Strengthens Afghanistan’s Spin Department
The biggest talking point of the squad announcement is the inclusion of AM Ghazanfar, a 19-year-old mystery spinner who has impressed in limited-overs cricket.
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T20 Career: 42 matches since debut in April 2023
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ODI Stats: 11 matches, including two five-wicket hauls
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Best Performance: 6/26 vs Bangladesh in Sharjah (Nov 2024)
Ghazanfar was picked by the Mumbai Indians for ₹4.80 crore at the IPL 2025 auction but missed the season due to a back injury. He has since regained fitness and will play a key role alongside Rashid, Noor, and Mujeeb in Afghanistan’s spin-heavy strategy.
Squad Changes from Zimbabwe Tour
From the squad that toured Zimbabwe in December 2024, Hazratullah Zazai and Zubaid Akbari have been dropped, while Nangeyalia Kharote moves to the reserves. Ibrahim Zadran returns to the top order, Sharafuddin Ashraf bolsters the allrounder options, and Ghazanfar gets his maiden Asia Cup call-up.
Rashid Khan Back to Lead After IPL & Hundred
Rashid Khan, who had a quiet IPL 2025 but rediscovered form for Oval Invincibles in The Hundred, will lead a squad stacked with all-round depth:
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Noor Ahmad — Chennai Super Kings’ star spinner at IPL 2025
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Mujeeb Ur Rahman — Part of Barbados Royals at the CPL
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Mohammad Nabi — Recently featured in the Shpageeza Cricket League
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Fazalhaq Farooqi & Naveen-ul-Haq — Lead Afghanistan’s pace attack
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Rahmanullah Gurbaz & Ibrahim Zadran — Strengthen the top-order batting
Afghanistan’s Asia Cup 2025 Group
Afghanistan are placed in Group B alongside:
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Bangladesh
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Hong Kong
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Sri Lanka
Group A features India, Pakistan, the UAE, and Oman.
Full Afghanistan Squad for Asia Cup 2025
Rashid Khan (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Ishaq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fareed Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Reserves: Wafiullah Tarakhil, Nangeyalia Kharote, Abdullah Ahmadzai
Key Highlights
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Ghazanfar’s Debut: Mystery spinner set to make his Asia Cup debut
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Spin Power: Rashid, Noor, Mujeeb, Nabi, and Ghazanfar headline one of the strongest spin attacks in the tournament
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First Match: Afghanistan vs Hong Kong on September 9, 2025, Abu Dhabi.
