Asia Cup 2025: Rashid Khan named captain of Afghanistan’s 20-man squad

Afghanistan has announced their lineup for the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, with star cricketer Rashid Khan leading the 20-man side. The team also has Mohammad Nabi, Afghanistan’s most seasoned all-round player, while the 20-man roster has been bolstered by Gulbadin Naib, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Ibrahim Zadran.

Rashid Khan will lead the spin department, which also comprises important figures like AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. However, the pace department has firepower in the form of Naveen Ul Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi. Fareed Ahmad, Sediqullah Atal, and Darwish Rasooli have also clinched spots in the squad.

The board posted a statement on their official social media account on Sunday, August 24. “AfghanAtalan will also face the hosts UAE and Pakistan in a T20I Tri-Nation Series, starting this Friday in Sharjah, which will feature most of the 22-member preliminary squad, previously announced by the ACB,” the statement read.

The Rashid Khan-led team will be focused on winning their first-ever championship at the continental tournament after the tri-series is over.

They will play against teams like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong after being assigned to Group B. They will advance to the Super Fours if they finish in the top two of their group at the conclusion of the league stage games.

Afghanistan’s 2025 Asia Cup squad

Mohammed Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Ishaq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fareed Ahmad, Naveen Ul Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), and Karim Janat

Wafiullah Tarakhil, Nangeyalia Kharote, and Abdullah Ahmadzai are the backup players.

Afghanistan’s 2025 Asia Cup schedule