The Champions Trophy is a significant event for Afghanistan’s cricket team, and they are preparing for their first-ever appearance in this competition. Ibrahim Zadran, an opening batsman back to full fitness, is a notable addition to Afghanistan’s 2025 Champions Trophy roster.
He is accompanied by AM Ghazanfar, who has been brought in to cover for mystery spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who is unavailable. Afghanistan is getting ready for an important competition, and this is their first-ever Champions Trophy appearance.
Ibrahim Zadran’s Comeback to Exercise
After missing time due to injury, Ibrahim Zadran is finally healthy enough to rejoin Afghanistan’s ODI team for the Champions Trophy. After being hurt during a Greater Noida Test practice, 23-year-old Zadran had been sidelined.
Without a ball being bowled, this match was abandoned. After undergoing surgery in England to heal from the injuries, Zadran has subsequently recovered well.
Ibrahim Zadran played for the Khulna Tigers in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) before rejoining the Afghanistan team.
Afghanistan will greatly benefit from his recuperation as it prepares for its Champions Trophy campaign in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
Rahman, Mujeeb Ur Unavailable for Picking
Afghanistan’s enigmatic spinner, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, will not be included in the Champions Trophy team.
The interim chief selector for the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) clarified that Mujeeb’s doctor had recommended that he concentrate on Twenty20 cricket for a spell to fully recuperate before playing ODIs again.
Therefore, he will not be able to attend the Champions Trophy, and AM Ghazanfar, who is currently playing for MI Emirates in the ILT20 in the United Arab Emirates, has been called up to replace him. Due to his performance and background in T20 cricket, Ghazanfar is a suitable substitute for Mujeeb.
The Unique Shape of Sediqullah Atal
Sediqullah Atal, 23, is another intriguing addition. He has been playing exceptionally well in all forms. With 368 runs in five innings at an average of 122.66 and a strike rate of almost 148, Atal was the 2024 Emerging Team Asia Cup’s top scorer.
In a three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, Afghanistan won 2-0, and he was voted Player of the Series, continuing his stellar run in December.
With his recent efforts, Atal has earned a spot in the squad and is expected to have a major influence on the Champions Trophy.
Under the guidance of Younis Khan
Younis Khan, a former Pakistan batter, has been appointed as the ACB’s Champions Trophy squad mentor, reinforcing their preparations.
With his extensive experience in domestic and international cricket, Younis Khan is the ideal leader to guide Afghanistan in the competition, instilling a sense of reassurance and confidence in the team’s preparations.
Afghanistan has already had success with its selection of mentors; Ajay Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo played significant roles in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup, respectively.
The ACB expects this encouraging trend to continue under Younis Khan’s guidance, who will play a crucial role in shaping the team’s strategy and boosting their morale.
Afghanistan’s Squad Overview and Leadership
The team will be led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, who captained Afghanistan in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup. Rahmat Shah will be Shahidi’s deputy and has been a vital member of Afghanistan’s team.
The team will also depend on Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad’s spin assault since both players have extensive cricket experience with limited overs.
Azmatullah Omarzai and Fazalhaq Farooqi will probably handle the new ball, emphasizing their speed and ferocity.
Afghanistan’s squad combines seasoned athletes with promising young talent, promising an exciting and hopeful performance in every area. The team’s composition is sure to generate anticipation and excitement among fans and analysts alike.
Reserve Players and Exclusions
Some players will travel with the team as reserve players even if they were left off of the main squad for the Champions Trophy.
Bilal Sami, Nangyal Kharoti, and Darwish Rasooli were among the players involved in Afghanistan’s most recent ODI assignment in Zimbabwe.
These reserve players were selected based on their recent performances and potential to contribute to the team’s success if necessary.
The Champions Trophy Schedule for Afghanistan
Afghanistan will play South Africa in Karachi on February 21 to kick off its Champions Trophy campaign. After that, it will travel to Lahore to play its final two league games against Australia and England.
Afghanistan’s Champions Trophy Squad
- Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and Vice-Capt. Rahmat Shah
- Gurbaz Rahmanullah (wk)
- Alikhil Ikram (wk)
- Zadran, Ibrahim
- Atal Sediqullah
- Omarzai Azmatullah
- Muhammad Nabi
- Naib Gulbadin
- Rashid Khan AM Ghazanfar
- Fazal Haq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad
- Zadran Naveed
- Malik, Farid Ahmad
Platforms such as Betpro exchange provide great resources for cricket fans to follow Afghanistan’s success in the Champions Trophy and beyond. These features include match schedules, player performances, and tournament updates.
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Author: Murad Mehar
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