Fit-again Ibrahim Zadran picked for Champions Trophy

Fit-again Ibrahim Zadran picked for Champions Trophy

Ibrahim Zadran has been selected for Afghanistan's squad in the 2025 Champions Trophy, after recovering from an ankle injury. Hashmatullah Shahidi will continue to lead the ODI team, with Rahmat Shah as his deputy.

AM Ghazanfar, the mystery spinner, will make his first appearance in an ICC event as part of the 15-member squad. Sediqullah Atal, who performed well in the ODIs against Zimbabwe, is also included.

Ghazanfar has been chosen over Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who was advised by his doctor to focus on T20s to ensure his full recovery before returning to ODIs.

Afghanistan squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmat Shah (VC), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveed Zadran and Farid Ahmad Malik.

The squad includes 10 players from the 2023 World Cup campaign, with the exceptions being Naveen-ul-Haq, Riaz Hassan, Abdul Rahman, and Najibullah Zadran. Darwish Rasooli, Nangyal Kharoti, and Bilal Sami are the reserves.

Afghanistan's Chairman, Mirwais Ashraf, praised the team's recent performances in the CWC23 and the ICC World T20 2024, stating that their victories in the ODI series last year will boost their morale.

The team is in Group B with Australia, England, and South Africa, and will play all their matches in Pakistan. Their opening game is against South Africa on February 21 in Karachi.