Preparations for the Asia Cup 2025 have begun, Afghanistan Squad has been announced with a 17-man team to play the UAE Tri-Series 2025, which commences on Friday in Sharjah. The AFG vs UAE and AFG vs Pakistan matches in the tournament provide invaluable match practice in advance of the Asia Cup.
Afghanistan has retained 16 out of the 17 players named for the Asia Cup, making only one change: Naveen-ul-Haq has been left out, with Abdollah Ahmadzai, a promising 22-year-old fast bowler, taking his place for the tri-series.
Abdollah Ahmadzai Gets the Nod
Abdollah Ahmadzai, with 14 wickets in 10 domestic T20s, is likely to make his mark. Though he is a reserve for the Asia Cup, he’s included in the squad for the UAE Tri-Series. The tournament might be the stage where he makes his debut internationally, so he is someone to look out for among the AFG vs UAE matches.
Spin Strength Strong with AM Ghazanfar
Mystery spinner AM Ghazanfar will also make his debut in the tri-series. He adds to the strong spin attack consisting of:
Rashid Khan (Captain)
Mohammad Nabi
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Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Noor Ahmad
This provides Afghanistan with a strong spin arsenal for both UAE Tri-Series and Asia Cup 2025.
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Ibrahim Zadran Returns to T20I Setup
Having missed the Zimbabwe tour in December 2024, Ibrahim Zadran is back in the T20I team. He had last represented the team in the 2024 T20 World Cup and should offer stability at the top order during the AFG vs UAE and AFG vs Pakistan matches.
Nangeyalia Kharote, who was included in the Zimbabwe tour, has been omitted but is still included in the Asia Cup reserves.
UAE Tri-Series 2025 Format and Schedule
The tri-series includes Afghanistan, Pakistan, and UAE, playing each other twice in a round-robin, before a final to be played on September 7.
If Afghanistan reach the final, they will have only one day to rest before launching their Asia Cup 2025 campaign against Hong Kong on September 9. UAE start their Asia Cup campaign on September 10, while Pakistan begin on September 12.
Full Afghanistan Squad for UAE Tri-Series 2025
Afghanistan Squad:
Rashid Khan (capt)
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)
Ibrahim Zadran
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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
Abdollah Ahmadzai
Fazalhaq Farooqi
With the AFG vs UAE tri-series coming up, Afghanistan’s team seems to be in good shape, having a mix of youth and experience. The tournament not only gives valuable game time before the Asia Cup 2025 but also offers talented young players such as Ahmadzai and Ghazanfar the opportunity to make a mark.
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