Afghanistan announced the 17-member squad for the Asia Cup 2025

Afghanistan will head into the 2025 Asia Cup, taking place in the United Arab Emirates, at full strength, with a renewed sense of belief they can rattle the established order in world cricket again. Reaching the T20 World Cup semi-finals last year against sides such as New Zealand and Australia has left Rashid Khan’s men eager to continue building momentum going into the T20 World Cup in 2026.

Spin-heavy arsenal

The Asia Cup will be perfect preparation, and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has taken no punches by naming a 17-member squad that achieves balance, depth, and variety. The most noticeable aspect of the squad is the spin department. Rashid will have one of the toughest spin bowling forces in the tournament with several weaponry opponents will have to face: Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi, and teenage wonder Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar.

All four will back their captain in conditions that should suit slow bowling, making Afghanistan arguably the most dangerous spin side in Asia. The selection of Ghazanfar is noteworthy; at only 19, he already has two 5-fers in ODIs, including a player-of-the-match six-for against Bangladesh in Sharjah. His inclusion adds an element of mystery to a side that already has respect globally in this department.

Experienced core with fresh energy

Spin is Afghanistan‘s strength, but they have more than one dimension. The batting unit is a good blend of experienced players and exciting youth. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran should be the likely opening partnership and provide power with stability at the top of the order. Darwish Rasooli and Sediqullah Atal are more options at the top and middle orders. Mohammad Ishaq has added competition in the wicketkeeping area.

The even older Mohammad Nabi continues to be the glue in the middle, along with all-rounders Karim Janat, Gulbadin Naib, and Azmatullah Omarzai, and has the flexibility that Afghanistan can be proud of when looking at balance.

The pace bowling stocks have been further bolstered by the return of Naveen-ul-Haq, who hasn’t played for Afghanistan in 2023, since retiring from ODIs this year. With Naveen back, alongside Fazalhaq Farooqi and Farid Ahmad Malik in the seam department, and Omarzai and Naib as back-up all-rounders, Afghanistan isn’t getting too spin-heavy, as they can play with pace, even if spin remains their preferred approach.

Not enough preparation

The ramp-up for the Asia Cup has not been ideal. Afghanistan has only played three T20Is in the last twelve months, all against Zimbabwe in Harare last December. And hasn’t played in any format since the Champions Trophy earlier in 2025. The triangular T20I series in Sharjah against the UAE and Pakistan, which starts this week, will be Afghanistan’s first international cricket of 2025.

This lack of match practice is worrying, especially against India and Sri Lanka, who have been playing more cricket than them. However, Afghanistan has also had domestic competitions, and many of its players have signed contracts. It means that while they have not had international cricket, the last month or so has involved a lot of cricket for players like Nabi, Omarzai, Ishaq, and Farooqi, who made headlines in the tournament.

SWOT analysis in narrative

The strengths of this Afghanistan side are obvious and remarkable. They probably have the best spin attack in the tournament, one that not only controls the middle overs but regularly takes wickets as well. For many sides, this is difficult to achieve in T20 cricket. They have variation and strike power in their bowling attack; Rashid and Mujeeb can change matches by themselves. The experience of Nabi and the fortitude of Gurbaz and Ibrahim create a resolve that Afghanistan has often lacked in the past.

The area of most concern is in the batting order and especially the middle overs, with Afghanistan sometimes struggling to accelerate. Strike rate concerns among middle-order batters could expose them when pressured in chases or on flat pitches in the UAE. There could also be a reliance on conditions that suit spin, leaving them vulnerable. With the potential of testing the bowling balance if the wickets in Abu Dhabi were to play truer and favour seam. Coming into the competition without having played a lot of international cricket could leave them out of sync.

But opportunity is abundant. The Asia Cup is an opportunity to consolidate their growing reputation as Asia’s second-best T20 side (behind India). It also allows Rashid Khan to re-establish himself as a global captain after mixed results in franchise cricket. Furthermore, with Ghazanfar being selected, the prospect of a further Afghan spin prodigy announcing himself on the world stage is something to savour alongside Rashid, Mujeeb, and Noor. Lastly, it will be an excellent preparation phase ahead of the T20 World Cup next year, as Afghanistan try to top their semi-final run in 2024.

The threats can’t be overlooked. Injuries to key players, Rashid struggling with back problems and Naveen’s workload management concerns can derail Afghanistan’s campaign. Opponents such as India and Sri Lanka have deeper batting line-ups that can negate Afghanistan’s bowling strengths. There is also the threat of slipping against lower-ranked opponents: their first match against Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi on September 9 is a potential banana skin.

Squad: Rashid Khan (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Naveen Ul Haq, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Ishaq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmed, and Fariq Ahmed.