- August 7, 2025
If there is one side in cricket that has made fans sit up and take notice over the last two or three years, it is Afghanistan. They have just announced their preliminary 22-man squad, which has the perfect mix of experience and fresh faces. Rashid Khan is captain again, and their squad looks as exhilarating as a leg-break on a turning Sri Lankan track!
But this is not just an ordinary squad announcement; it feels like a statement of intent. Afghanistan isn’t playing only cricket anymore. Afghanistan is playing with purpose, vision, and a future focus.
Rashid Khan: The Calm Commander Returns
It’s hard to talk about Afghanistan cricket without talking about Rashid Khan. After months of injuries and a careful return to cricket after his experience with the T20 World Cup 2024, Rashid is back, and he’s not just back; he’s back in charge. His return as captain is not only a statement of stability, but also commanding and tactical leadership, and this is of utmost importance since the unit of Afghanistan thrives on being expressive.
What’s also important about Rashid’s return is the way Rashid encourages the players around him. With young talents like Azmatullah Omarzai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Afghanistan still has a strong white-ball core. Adding the experienced head of Mohammad Nabi, and suddenly, this team could beat anyone on its day.
Meet the New Kids: Tarakhil, Ahmadzai, and Bashir Step In
The seasoned group gets a boost of new energy with the inclusion of Wafiullah Tarakhil, Abdullah Ahmadzai, and Bashir Ahmad. These are not players that have been thrown in the deep end—there has been clear evidence in recent domestic cricket, including the U-19 U-19 set-ups, that makes good cases for the players being rewarded. This is indicative of a selection panel not being held back by immediate outcomes and looking towards the future.
Is this the three’s trial? With the terrifying Asia Cup scheduled soon after this trio and the three-ish series, perhaps Afghanistan is looking at these matches to get players into the international realm, as India and England have done with nice effect over the last few years. Will it be a debut? Maybe. But it will be a capture experience, even just sharing the same dressing room as Mujeeb, Noor Ahmad, and Naveen-ul-Haq.
Squad Depth: Flexibility Is the Real Weapon
Only featuring 22 players in the squad isn’t just good math; it’s a window into tactical flexibility. Afghanistan can play spin-heavy depending on Sharjah’s conditions; they can go fast with Farooqi and Naveen, they can bring finishers in like Karim Janat or Gulbadin Naib, depending on the situation and context of the match.
Before the team plays its first game, they have two weeks of team training camp to try different combinations of players and begin the long journey to build a cohesive team. Afghanistan’s Asia Cup journey starts with their first game on September 9, against Hong Kong, which is an easier first match and gives them a good opportunity to try a few things before the matches against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, which will be two key games in the group.
This team is like Afghanistan, trying to keep two timelines going – enjoying the current match-winners while also investing in names for the future. Smart. The road to the 2026 T20 World Cup has begun—and now’s the time to deepen the squad, explore fresh combinations, and hone their killer instinct.
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