Asia Cup 2025: Afghanistan are set to kick off their Asia Cup 2025 preparations with a high-intensity tri-nation T20I series in Sharjah, featuring Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. The series begins on Friday, August 29, offering Rashid Khan’s men a chance to polish their skills, test new combinations, and gain valuable momentum before the continental showdown starting September 9.
Sharjah Showdown: A Timely Warm-Up
This tri-series could not have come at a better time for Afghanistan. Their first Asia Cup game is against Hong Kong just two days after the tournament final in Sharjah. Facing Pakistan, one of their group-stage opponents at the Asia Cup, gives Afghanistan the rare advantage of rehearsing against a familiar rival under similar conditions.
The double round-robin format ensures each team gets multiple games: Afghanistan and Pakistan will face off twice, while both also meet the hosts UAE twice. The top two sides will contest the final on September 7.
For Afghanistan, this isn’t just a warm-up; it’s a litmus test of their depth and adaptability against both elite and emerging cricket nations.
Squad Stability with a Few Fresh Faces
The Afghan selectors have opted for continuity, naming a squad that closely resembles the group earmarked for the Asia Cup. However, there are a couple of intriguing tweaks:
- Naveen-ul-Haq has been rested from the tri-series, replaced by Abdollah Ahmadzai, a 22-year-old pacer with 14 wickets in 10 domestic T20s. Ahmadzai, still waiting for his international debut, also finds a place among Afghanistan’s Asia Cup reserves.
- Another youngster in line for a maiden cap is mystery spinner AM Ghazanfar. Known for his unorthodox variations, he bolsters a spin-heavy attack that already features Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, and Mohammad Nabi.
The balance between tried-and-tested performers and emerging prospects reflects Afghanistan’s long-term strategy: maintaining their world-class spin identity while investing in fresh pace options for the future.
Ibrahim Zadran’s Return Strengthens the Top Order
One of the most notable inclusions is the return of Ibrahim Zadran, who last appeared in T20 internationals during the 2024 T20 World Cup. The opener missed the Zimbabwe tour in December 2024 but now reclaims his spot at the top of the order. His comeback provides stability in a batting unit that has sometimes struggled for consistency in T20s.
In contrast, left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote, who misses the tri-series, has been listed only as a reserve for the Asia Cup. This signals the management’s preference for experience-heavy spin options in the main squad.
Blend of Experience and Youth
Afghanistan’s strength has always been their mix of fearless young talent and battle-hardened veterans. This squad is no different:
- Seasoned all-rounders: Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib.
- Match-winning spinners: Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, AM Ghazanfar.
- Batting firepower: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli.
With Nabi and Rashid providing leadership both on and off the field, Afghanistan are aiming to strike the right balance. Having not played white-ball cricket since the Champions Trophy in February 2025, the tri-series is critical for players to find rhythm before the Asia Cup.
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Afghanistan’s Tri-Series Fixtures
- Aug 29 – Afghanistan vs Pakistan
- Aug 30 – UAE vs Pakistan
- Sep 1 – Afghanistan vs UAE
- Sep 3 – Pakistan vs Afghanistan
- Sep 5 – Pakistan vs UAE
- Sep 6 – Afghanistan vs UAE
- Sep 7 – Final (Top two teams)
Afghanistan’s Early Asia Cup 2025 Matches
- Sep 9 – Afghanistan vs Hong Kong
- Sep 10 – UAE vs Hong Kong
- Sep 12 – Pakistan vs Hong Kong
Key Storylines to Watch
- The Rashid Khan Factor
Rashid’s captaincy will be in focus. While his spin magic is undisputed, how he rotates his bowlers and manages batting resources against Pakistan will provide insights into Afghanistan’s Asia Cup approach. - Pace Department Under Scrutiny
Without Naveen-ul-Haq, Afghanistan’s pace attack relies on youngsters like Ahmadzai and Fazalhaq Farooqi. How they perform under Sharjah’s floodlights against Pakistan’s power-hitters will be crucial. - Spin vs Spin
With Sharjah traditionally favoring spinners, contests between Rashid’s army of slow bowlers and Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz could decide matches. Expect spin to dominate the middle overs. - Top-Order Stability
The return of Ibrahim Zadran alongside Gurbaz is significant. If the pair clicks, Afghanistan’s batting woes might finally ease ahead of the Asia Cup.
Sharjah – A Familiar Battleground
Sharjah Cricket Stadium has long been a stage for unforgettable encounters, particularly involving Asian teams. Afghanistan have fond memories here, having defeated Pakistan in the 2021 T20 World Cup warm-up and running them close in official fixtures. The small boundaries and spin-friendly tracks mean high-scoring yet tactical games are on the cards.
Final Thoughts
For Afghanistan, this tri-series isn’t just another tournament it’s a dress rehearsal for the Asia Cup 2025. Their strategy seems clear: reinforce their spin-first philosophy, blood new pacers, and regain sharpness after a long gap in white-ball cricket.
Pakistan will test their resilience, UAE will test their patience, and Sharjah will test their adaptability. If Rashid Khan’s men manage to find the right balance, they could enter the Asia Cup as genuine contenders rather than underdogs.
