Afghanistan has finalized its ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad, confirming the withdrawal of teenage spinner AM Ghazanfar due to a back injury. His absence adds to Afghanistan’s concerns, as they are already missing Mujeeb Ur Rahman from their spin attack.
Replacing AM Ghazanfar is left-arm spinner Nangyal Kharoti, who was originally part of the reserve squad. The 20-year-old will now join Afghanistan’s main squad as they prepare for the highly competitive tournament.
Ghazanfar’s Injury & Squad Update
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed that AM Ghazanfar suffered a fracture in the L4 vertebra (left pars interarticularis) during Afghanistan’s recent tour of Zimbabwe. The injury will keep him sidelined for at least four months, ruling him out of ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
“Nangyal Kharoti, who was part of the reserves, has been promoted to the main squad,” the ACB stated, adding that Mujeeb Ur Rahman will also remain out of ODI action until he fully recovers.
Afghanistan’s Final Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Afghanistan’s 15-Member Squad:
- Hashmatullah Shahidi (C)
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Sediqullah Atal
- Rahmat Shah
- Ikram Alikhil
- Gulbadin Naib
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Mohammad Nabi
- Rashid Khan
- Nangyal Kharoti
- Noor Ahmad
- Fazalhaq Farooqi
- Farid Malik
- Naveed Zadran
🟠 Reserves: Darwish Rasooli, Bilal Sami
With Mujeeb Ur Rahman and AM Ghazanfar out, Afghanistan’s spin attack will be led by Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Nangyal Kharoti, who will be crucial in Pakistan and UAE’s spin-friendly conditions.
Afghanistan’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Fixtures
📅 February 21: 🇦🇫 vs South Africa (Karachi)
📅 February 26: 🇦🇫 vs England (Lahore)
📅 February 28: 🇦🇫 vs Australia (Lahore)
Afghanistan faces a tough Group B alongside South Africa, England, and Australia, making every match a crucial battle.