Champions Trophy Afghanistan Squad

Afghanistan have finalised their squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy, set to take place in Pakistan and the UAE, with some significant changes. 18-year-old off-spinner AM Ghazanfar has been ruled out of the tournament due to a fracture in his L4 vertebra. In his place, left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote, who was initially named in the reserves, has been included in the final squad.

The squad has received a major boost with the return of opening batter Ibrahim Zadran. The 23-year-old has been out of action since suffering a freak injury during a practice session for Afghanistan’s Test in Greater Noida, which was later abandoned due to rain. His injury required surgery in England, but he has now regained full fitness and was recently part of the Khulna Tigers in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

Star spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman was not considered for selection, as he has been advised by doctors to focus on T20 cricket for the time being. This is to ensure his full recovery before returning to 50-over cricket. His absence from the Champions Trophy follows his non-participation in the recent ODI series against Zimbabwe.

One of the most exciting names in the squad is 23-year-old Sediqullah Atal, who has been in outstanding form across all formats.

Atal has been in outstanding form across formats. He was the leading run-scorer in the Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 (T20 format), amassing 368 runs in five innings at an average of 122.66 and a strike rate of nearly 148. He followed it up with a Player of the Series performance in the ODI series against Zimbabwe in December 2024. Atal then made his Test debut in Harare during the Boxing Day Test and is currently playing for MI Cape Town in SA20 2025 as a replacement player.

Afghanistan have continued their recent trend of appointing a mentor from the host nation for global tournaments. During the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, Ajay Jadeja served as the team’s mentor. For the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA, Dwayne Bravo was brought in as a bowling consultant. Now, for the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the UAE, former Pakistan batting legend Younis Khan has been appointed as a team mentor to guide the squad.

Hashmatullah Shahidi will continue as Afghanistan’s ODI captain, having led the team in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup, where Afghanistan made history by reaching the semifinals. Rahmat Shah remains the team’s vice-captain.

Spin bowling will once again be Afghanistan’s strength, with Rashid Khan leading the attack alongside Noor Ahmad and new inclusion Nangeyalia Kharote. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Azmatullah Omarzai will spearhead the pace attack, with Gulbadin Naib and Mohammad Nabi offering all-round options.

Afghanistan will begin their campaign on February 21 against South Africa in Karachi before heading to Lahore for their final two league matches against England and Australia.

Afghanistan squad for 2025 Champions Trophy

Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Ibrahim Zadran, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah (vice-capt), Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Fareeh Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Nangeyalia Kharote, Naveed Zadran, Noor Ahmad.

Check out the Champions Trophy Schedule and stay updated on the Champions Trophy campaign trail of Afghanistan. The Afghanistan squadAfghanistan Squad is making their maiden appearance in the ICC Champions Trophy.