AFG vs BAN: The excitement of the Asia Cup 2025 continues in the UAE, but for Afghanistan, the focus has already shifted to their upcoming white-ball series against Bangladesh.
Following a disappointing group-stage exit from the Asia Cup, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced major squad changes, signaling a fresh approach in both the ODI and T20I formats.
Led by Rashid Khan, Afghanistan entered the Asia Cup with high hopes and were seen as strong contenders to make it to the Super Four stage. However, inconsistent performances saw them bow out early, triggering a reassessment of team composition and strategy. In the aftermath of their elimination, the ACB has decided to make bold moves, dropping three key players from both the ODI and T20I squads for the Bangladesh series.
Farooqi, Gulbadin Naib and Janat too expelled
Notably, left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi, and experienced all-rounders Gulbadin Naib and Karim Janat, have all been excluded from the squads. These exclusions highlight the selectors’ intent to move forward with fresh talent and possibly restructure the core of the team ahead of future tournaments.
In terms of leadership, Hashmatullah Shahidi will captain the ODI side, while Rashid Khan will return to lead the T20I team. This split captaincy approach indicates a format-specific focus, allowing Afghanistan to build two specialized units for white-ball cricket. Rashid Khan’s presence in the shorter format will be critical, not just for his bowling, but also to mentor the emerging players included in the squad.
New names emerged
One of the most notable inclusions is 18-year-old Wafiullah Tarakhil, who has been named in the T20I squad. This marks his maiden international call-up and presents a massive opportunity for the top-order batter to make his mark on the global stage. Alongside him, fast bowlers Bashir Ahmad and Abdullah Ahmadzai have been added to both the ODI and T20I squads. Their selection is a clear sign that Afghanistan is focusing on strengthening its pace battery.
There have also been interesting changes in the squad depth. Fast bowlers Mohammad Saleem Safi and Mujeeb Ul Rahman have been included in the T20I setup, adding more firepower to the bowling attack. Rising spin talent AM Ghazanfar has been named in the reserves for the T20Is, but finds a spot in the main squad for the ODIs, indicating the selectors’ long-term interest in developing him for the 50-over format.
Stand-by players
In terms of standby options, Rahmat Shah Jurmati will serve as a reserve for the T20I squad, while two additional fast bowlers, Bilal Sami and Faridoon Daudzai, are part of the ODI reserves. These additions suggest that Afghanistan is not only rebuilding its main team but also strengthening its bench strength with a clear focus on youth and performance.
This upcoming series against Bangladesh is more than just another bilateral assignment for Afghanistan. It represents a fresh chapter and a chance to test new players under international pressure. With the 2025 ICC T20 World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, the decisions taken now could have long-term implications for Afghanistan’s white-ball future.
As the team looks to bounce back from the Asia Cup setback, all eyes will be on how the new-look Afghan side performs against a competitive Bangladesh team. The series promises to be an exciting test for both established names and debutants aiming to cement their places in Afghanistan’s future plans.