Afghanistan Retains 16 of 17 Asia Cup Picks for UAE Tri-Series

Afghanistan has announced its squad for the upcoming T20I tri-series in the UAE, keeping remarkable consistency with their Asia Cup selection. Of the 17 players who were named for the Asia Cup, 16 have been retained, reflecting a deliberate choice to fine-tune their best XI in conditions similar to where the continental tournament will be staged.

The only change from the Asia Cup squad is the absence of pacer Naveen-ul-Haq, who has been sidelined due to injury. In his place, selectors have drafted in 22-year-old Abdollah Ahmadzai, an uncapped fast bowler who has been named as a reserve for the Asia Cup. Ahmadzai’s inclusion signals Afghanistan’s intent to deepen its pace reserves while continuing to trust its core group of experienced performers.

A Stable Core
The team will once again be led by Rashid Khan, whose tactical acumen and world-class leg-spin remain central to Afghanistan’s plans. He will be joined by explosive wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz at the top of the order, along with seasoned campaigners like Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, and Karim Janat.

The squad’s strength lies in its versatile spin department. Alongside Rashid, Afghanistan has included Mujeeb ur Rahman, left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad, and the young mystery spinner AM Ghazanfar. This spin-heavy arsenal is particularly suited to Sharjah’s slow pitches, where the tri-series will be played.

Tournament Format and Scheduling
The tri-series, set to run from August 29 to September 7 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, will feature Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the UAE. The format is a double round-robin, with the top two sides advancing to the final. The timing is critical: Afghanistan’s first Asia Cup fixture follows just two days after the tri-series final, offering the team ideal match practice in near-identical conditions.

Strategic Advantage
For Afghanistan, this tri-series serves as more than just a warm-up. It is a chance to sharpen match readiness, test bench strength like Ahmadzai, and build momentum ahead of the Asia Cup. Given the spin-friendly surfaces and their bowling depth, Afghanistan will enter both tournaments with a clear strategic edge.

Summary at a Glance

• Squad Consistency: 16 of 17 Asia Cup players retained

• Change: Abdollah Ahmadzai replaces injured Naveen-ul-Haq

• Leadership: Rashid Khan continues as captain

• Strength: Spin-heavy attack suited to Sharjah conditions

• Schedule: Tri-series runs Aug 29 – Sep 7, followed by Afghanistan’s Asia Cup opener on Sep 9