Afghanistan to Face Pakistan and UAE in Tri-Series Ahead of Asia Cup 2025. Afghanistan is set to gear up for the Asia Cup 2025 with a T20I Tri-Series featuring Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced a 22-member preliminary squad for both the Tri-Series and the upcoming Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in the UAE.
To fine-tune their preparations, the squad will undergo a two-week intensive training and preparation camp in the UAE before the Tri-Series kicks off.
The T20I Tri-Series will begin on August 29 and run until September 7, with all matches being held at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Following the Tri-Series, Afghanistan will join seven other teams for the Asia Cup 2025, which starts on September 9. The tournament will feature India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, UAE, Hong Kong, and Oman. Matches will be played across two major venues: Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Afghanistan Announces Preliminary Squad for T20I Tri-Series and Asia Cup 2025
Rashid Khan is set to captain Afghanistan in both the upcoming T20I Tri-Series and the Asia Cup 2025. The preliminary squad features a blend of experience and youth, with key players such as Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, and veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi included in the lineup.
Afghanistan Preliminary Squad:
Rashid Khan (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Azmatullah Omarzai, Sediqullah Atal, Gulbadin Naib, Wafiullah Tarakhil, Mujeeb Zadran, Ibrahim Zadran, Amir Ghazanfar, Darwish Rasooli, Noor Ahmad, Lakanwal, Mohammad Ishaq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Farid Malik, Mohammad Nabi, Nangyal Kharoti, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Karim Janat, Saleem Safi, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Bashir Ahmad.
ACB Names Preliminary Squad for Preparation Camp in UAE
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) August 4, 2025
Afghanistan Cricket Board's National Selection Committee has finalized a 22-member preliminary squad that will feature in a two-week training and preparation camp ahead of their upcoming Tri-Nation Series and the ACC Men's… pic.twitter.com/kkZEML1Zqs
Afghanistan have been placed in Group B for the Asia Cup 2025, where they will face Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong in the group stage. Their campaign kicks off with the tournament opener against Hong Kong on September 9 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
The grand finale of the Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled for September 28 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. India will enter the tournament as the defending champions, having clinched the title in 2023 with a dominant win over Sri Lanka in the final. Unlike the previous edition, which was played in the ODI format, the 2025 Asia Cup will be held in the T20I format.
