Afghanistan have named a 22-player preliminary squad for their upcoming tri-nation T20I series against Pakistan and the UAE, scheduled to begin on August 29 in Sharjah. The squad features a strong mix of experience and youth, with Rashid Khan set to lead the side.
The tri-series will serve as key preparation for Afghanistan’s international calendar, following their impressive run to the knockout stage of the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Experienced stars and fresh faces in contention
Rashid Khan will captain the team, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, and Fazalhaq Farooqi returning after standout performances in major tournaments. Emerging talents Wafiullah Tarakhil, Abdullah Ahmadzai, and Bashir Ahmad have also earned call-ups and could make their international debuts.
The squad will participate in a two-week training camp ahead of the tri-series, which kicks off with Afghanistan’s opener against Pakistan on August 29.
Afghanistan Preliminary Squad – Tri-series 2025
Rashid Khan (c)
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)
Sediqullah Atal
Wafiullah Tarakhil
Ibrahim Zadran
Darwish Rasooli
Mohammad Ishaq
Mohammad Nabi
Nangyal Kharoti
Sharafuddin Ashraf
Karim Janat
Azmatullah Omarzai
Gulbadin Naib
Mujeeb Zadran
AM Ghazanfar
Noor Ahmad
Fazalhaq Farooqi
Naveen ul Haq
Farid Malik
Saleem Safi
Abdullah Ahmadzai
Bashir Ahmad
Sharjah set to host key tri-series ahead of packed schedule
The tri-series in Sharjah comes at a crucial time for Afghanistan as they continue to build momentum in white-ball cricket. With ICC events on the horizon and increased competition for places, the series will be an opportunity for both established players and uncapped prospects to make their case.
Afghanistan’s performance in this series will also be watched closely as they fine-tune combinations ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 qualifiers and other key fixtures.
