The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Wednesday unveiled its squads for the historic Zimbabwe tour, featuring a one-off Test and a three-match T20I series, starting on October 20 at the Harare Sports Club.
Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead Afghanistan in the one-off Test
In a strategic move, Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead the Test side, as Rashid Khan has been given time to prioritize his recovery and long-term well-being ahead of upcoming international commitments. However, Rashid will return to lead the team in the T20I series.
The Test squad includes well-known faces such as Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran And Bahir Shahalongside promising additions from domestic cricket. Left-arm fast bowler Bashir Ahmadwho impressed in Afghanistan’s recent white-ball matches, retains his place. In the meantime, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Sharafuddin Ashraf and leg spinner Khalil Gurbazstandout performers from the domestic red ball season, have earned call-ups. Spin all-rounder Shahidullah Kamal has been included in both squadrons, highlighting his growing influence.
New faces and key additions to the Afghanistan T20I squad
The T20I squad, captained by Rashid with Ibrahim Zadran as vice-captain has a solid mix of experience and emerging talent. Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, who made his T20I debut in 2024, returns after an impressive domestic series, while Shahidullah Kamal’s consistent all-round performances in the Shpageeza Cricket League (SCL) have earned him a recall.
The squad also features T20 specialists such as Mohammad Nabi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Noor Ahmad, making it a formidable line-up for the series against Zimbabwe.
ACB CEO Naseeb Khan talks about the team’s progress
ACB CEO Naseeb Khan expressed satisfaction over consistent cricket growth in Afghanistan and noted that the team’s participation in consecutive bilateral series reflects the success of the board’s long-term strategy.
“After the Bangladesh series organized by ACB, our national team will travel to Zimbabwe for a Test and T20I series. We will then play more international series as part of our continued efforts to enhance our cricket calendar,” Khan said in his official statement.
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The Afghan squads for the 2025 Zimbabwe tour
Test: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran (vc), Abdul Malik, Afsar Zazai, Ikram Alikhel, Bahir Shah, Shahidullah Kamal, Ismat Alam, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Zia Ur Rahman Akbar, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Khalil Gurbaz, Bashir Ahmad.
Reserves: Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai, Sediqullah Atal, Shams Ur Rahman
T20I: Rashid Khan (C), Ibrahim Zadran (VC), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Shahidullah Kamal, Ijaz Ahmadzai, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Bashir Ahmad, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Abdullah Ahmadzai.
Reserves: Allah Ghazanfar, Faridoon Dawoodzai
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