Asia Cup 2025: Rashid Khan to lead Afghanistan; full squad announced

Afghanistan on Sunday unveiled their 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup, scheduled to be played from September 9 to 28 across Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Rashid Khan will captain the side, bringing his experience and leadership to a team looking to make an impact on the continental stage.The squad sees the return of fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq, who last represented Afghanistan in December 2024. His comeback adds pace and depth to a bowling attack that already features the likes of Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad, and Sharafuddin Ashraf.Rashid will be supported by a mix of seasoned campaigners and young talent. Middle-order stalwarts Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman provide balance, while top-order batters Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, and Darwish Rasooli are expected to anchor the innings.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Other notable names include Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Ishaq, and Allah Ghazanfar, who have shown promise in domestic and international T20 competitions. The squad also includes Sharafuddin Ashraf and Fazalhaq Farooqi, ensuring Afghanistan has a well-rounded combination of spin, pace, and batting depth.The reserves for the tournament are Wafiullah Tarakhil, Nangyal Kharote, and Abdullah Ahmadzai, ready to step in if required.Afghanistan have been gradually building a competitive T20 side over the past few years, blending youth with experience. Rashid Khan’s leadership is seen as pivotal, with the leg-spinner widely regarded as one of the best in the world and capable of turning games with his all-round contributions.With the Asia Cup bringing together strong teams from the continent, including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, Afghanistan will look to challenge the established sides. The team will aim to make a statement in the group stage and progress to the knockout rounds with confidence.The Asia Cup 2025 provides a platform for Afghanistan’s emerging talent to shine while veterans like Rashid and Nabi lead the charge, combining skill, strategy, and experience on the big stage.Afghanistan squad for Asia Cup 2025: Rashid Khan (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Ishaq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Allah Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Farid Malik, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.Reserves: Wafiullah Tarakhil, Nangyal Kharote, Abdullah Ahmadzai