Cricket

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled from February 19 to March 9, 2025, marks a significant milestone for Afghanistan as they prepare to make their debut in this prestigious tournament. The Champions Trophy, often referred to as the “Mini World Cup,” features the top eight ODI teams battling for supremacy, and Afghanistan’s inclusion is a testament to their consistent performances in international cricket over the past decade.

Grouped in Group B alongside Australia, England, and South Africa, Afghanistan faces a tough challenge but also a golden opportunity to showcase their cricketing prowess against the world’s best teams. With a well-balanced squad comprising seasoned veterans and exciting young talents, Afghanistan is determined to leave a lasting impression on the global stage.

Afghanistan’s Squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced a 15-member squad for the tournament, featuring a strong batting lineup, all-rounders with match-winning capabilities, and a potent bowling attack. Hashmatullah Shahidi has been entrusted with leading the team, with Rahmat Shah as his deputy.

Here is the full squad:

Afghanistan Champions Trophy 2025 Squad

Note: The number of centuries includes runs scored in all international formats as of February 8, 2025.

Key Players to Watch in Afghanistan’s Squad

While every player in the squad has a crucial role to play, certain individuals stand out as key match-winners for Afghanistan in their debut Champions Trophy campaign.

1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz – The Explosive Opener

Rahmanullah Gurbaz holds the record for the most ODI centuries for Afghanistan, having already scored 7 centuries in just 46 matches. As a wicketkeeper-batsman, he provides the perfect combination of aggression and reliability at the top of the order.

Gurbaz’s fearless stroke play, especially against pace attacks, makes him a crucial player in Afghanistan’s bid to set competitive totals. His ability to convert good starts into big scores will be vital against strong bowling attacks like Australia and England.

2. Rahmat Shah – The Backbone of Afghanistan’s Batting

Rahmat Shah has been Afghanistan’s most consistent batter in ODIs, with 5 international centuries to his name. Notably, he was the first Afghan batsman to score a Test century, showcasing his ability to handle pressure and build long innings.

With his solid technique and calm approach, Rahmat is expected to anchor Afghanistan’s middle order, ensuring stability in crucial situations.

3. Ibrahim Zadran – The Young Star with a Bright Future

Ibrahim Zadran has already secured 5 ODI centuries in just 33 matches, including a highest score of 162. His rapid rise in international cricket has made him a vital part of Afghanistan’s top order.

Known for his adaptability and ability to play both attacking and defensive cricket, Ibrahim could play a crucial role in Afghanistan’s Champions Trophy campaign.

4. Mohammad Nabi – The Experienced All-Rounder

A veteran in Afghanistan cricket, Mohammad Nabi brings years of experience, both as a dependable middle-order batsman and a skillful off-spin bowler. With 2 ODI centuries to his name, Nabi can accelerate the innings during the death overs while also providing crucial breakthroughs with the ball.

His leadership qualities and cricketing intelligence will be invaluable, particularly in pressure situations against high-ranked opponents.

5. Rashid Khan – Afghanistan’s X-Factor

Although Rashid Khan has not yet scored an international century, his contributions with the ball make him Afghanistan’s biggest match-winner. Widely regarded as one of the best leg-spinners in world cricket, Rashid’s variations and control over his deliveries can dismantle any batting lineup.

His ability to bowl in the powerplay and at the death makes him Afghanistan’s go-to bowler in critical situations. Additionally, his aggressive batting in the lower order can provide quick runs when needed.

Strategic Insights: Afghanistan’s Game Plan for Champions Trophy 2025

1. A Strong Batting Core

Afghanistan’s top order features multiple players with proven century-scoring ability, including Gurbaz, Rahmat, and Ibrahim. Their performances will be key in ensuring the team posts competitive scores, particularly against formidable bowling attacks.

The presence of all-rounders like Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai further strengthens the batting depth, allowing flexibility in the lineup.

2. Spin Dominance in Bowling

Afghanistan’s spin attack has historically been their strongest weapon. With Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, and AM Ghazanfar in the squad, they possess a variety of spin options capable of troubling even the best batsmen.

The conditions in Pakistan, where the Champions Trophy is being held, are expected to favor spinners, making Afghanistan’s bowling attack a major threat.

3. The Need for Fast Bowlers to Step Up

While Afghanistan is renowned for its spinners, the fast-bowling unit led by Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveed Zadran will need to step up, particularly in early overs and death-over situations. If they can provide early breakthroughs, it will make things easier for the spinners in the middle overs.

Challenges and Opportunities for Afghanistan

Challenges

1. Facing Strong Opponents – Group B consists of powerhouses like Australia, England, and South Africa, all of whom have more experience playing in high-pressure ICC tournaments. Afghanistan will need to bring their best performances to compete.
2. Handling Pressure Situations – As this is Afghanistan’s first-ever Champions Trophy, the team may face pressure in knockout-style matches. The players must maintain their composure and execute their plans effectively.
3. Middle Order Stability – While Afghanistan has strong top-order batters, the middle order needs to provide more stability to avoid collapses in high-pressure games.

Opportunities

1. A Chance to Make History – With this being Afghanistan’s debut in the Champions Trophy, they have the opportunity to surprise the world and establish themselves as serious contenders in ICC tournaments.
2. Young Talents on the Big Stage – Players like Ibrahim Zadran, Noor Ahmad, and AM Ghazanfar have a chance to announce themselves on the world stage. A strong performance could solidify their places in future ICC events.
3. Spinners in Favorable Conditions – The Pakistan pitches are expected to assist spin bowlers, which plays into Afghanistan’s strengths. If their spinners dominate, they can cause major upsets in the tournament.

Conclusion

Afghanistan’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 represents a perfect blend of experience and youthful energy. With talented batsmen, world-class spinners, and promising all-rounders, Afghanistan has the potential to make a significant impact in their debut campaign.