Tag: Afghanistan

Afghanistan suffered a major blow as fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq was ruled out of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 due to a shoulder injury.

Naveen was initially named in Afghanistan’s Asia Cup squad after missing out on the tri-series featuring UAE and Pakistan. However, he was unable to recover from a shoulder injury and was eventually ruled out of the tournament.

The announcement came via the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) statement.

“The ACB wishes Naveen Ul Haq a speedy recovery and extends its best wishes to Abdullah Ahmadzai for the matches ahead,” the board said in a statement.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“Naveen will return home to continue to undergo intensive treatment and rehabilitation,” it added.

Naveen-ul-Haq last played for Afghanistan in December 2024 against Zimbabwe in a T20I. He is a regular in global T20 leagues after having announced his retirement from One Day International (ODI) cricket in 2023.

Nonetheless, fast bowler Abdullah Ahmadzai is inducted into the Afghanistan squad as Naveen’s replacement. The pacer recently made his international debut in the match against UAE.

Afghanistan has started strongly with a big win over Hong Kong in the Asia Cup 2025 after losing the tri-series final against Pakistan. They defeated them comprehensively by 93 runs.

Their next fixtures are scheduled against Bangladesh on September 16 and against Sri Lanka on September 18.

Afghanistan Updated Asia Cup 2025 Squad

Afghanistan: Rashid Khan (capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Ishaq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fareed Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi

READ: PCB demands removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from Asia Cup

ABU DHABI: All-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai etched his name into Afghanistan’s history books by slamming the fastest half-century in the Asia Cup 2025 opener against Hong Kong here at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

All-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai etched his name into Afghanistan’s history books by smashing the fastest half-century in the Asia Cup 2025 opener against Hong Kong at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Afghanistan chalked up 188 for the loss of six wickets in their 20 overs, courtesy of some fine batting from Azmatullah Omarzai and Sediqullah Atal.

Omarzai, who had a lean run before heading into the Asia Cup 2025, lit up the stadium with a powerful knock.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The right-handed batter came in at a time just when Afghanistan were reeling at 95-4 in 12.4 overs.

He paired up with Atal for a brisk partnership that not only took his team out of trouble but also took them to a strong total. Azmatullah Omarzai made 53 off 21 balls, striking five sixes and two fours.

The 25-year-old recorded the feat of fastest fifty for Afghanistan in the 19th over with three sixes and a four of Ayush Shukla.

Earlier, Mohammad Nabi held the record for the fastest half-century. The veteran batter had scored fifty off 21 balls against Ireland at Greater Noida in 2017.

Fastest T20I fifty by Afghanistan batters:

Azmatullah Omarzai* 20 balls vs Hong Kong 2025
Mohammad Nabi 21 balls vs Ireland 2017
Hazratullah Zazai 22 balls vs Ireland  2018
Najibullah Zadran 22  balls vs Zimbabwe  2019

At the time of filing this story, Afghanistan were in a dominant position as Hong Kong were reeling with 22-4 in only 4.3 overs.

READ: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 likely dates revealed

ABU DHABI: Clinical Afghanistan thrashed Hong Kong by a massive margin of 94 runs in the opening match of the Asia Cup 2025 here at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Set 189, Hong Kong faltered in the chase and could only manage to score 94-9 in 20 overs.

Afghanistan made early inroads as Hong Kong demonstrated a shambolic batting display, losing four inside five overs.

Anshy Rath(0) was caught behind on the second ball of the opening over– a replay showing a huge gap between ball and bat.

Zeeshan Ali was the second to be dismissed in the second over for just five runs. Hong Kong went into dire straits with back-to-back run outs of Nizakat Khan and Kalhan Challu.

As a result, Hong Kong were reduced to 22-4 in 4.3 overs.

Afghanistan continued to strike at regular intervals, with no batter contributing significantly except Babar Hayat.

Hayat tried to stabilize innings with brief stands; however, despite top-scoring with 39 off 43, Hong Kong’s innings folded for a mere total. Interestingly, Hayat’s knock was laced with three sixes.

For Afghanistan, it was an all-round bowling effort with every bowler chipping in with wickets. However, Gulbadin Naib and Fazalhaq Farooqi stood out with two scalps each.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, Afghanistan racked up 188 for 6  in their allocated 20 overs.

Afghanistan got off to a shaky start as they lost their opening two wickets inside four overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was the first to go after making eight off five balls, whereas Ibrahim Zadran could only manage to score one.

As a result, Afghanistan were 26-2 in 3.2 overs.

Following the early hiccup, experienced Mohammad Nabi arrived at the crease and forged a composed 51-run stand with Sediqullah Atal.

Consequently, Afghanistan reached 77 at the halfway mark of the innings. Nabi departed after scoring 33 off 26 balls with the help of three fours and a six.

Yet, Hong Kong struck again and kept Afghanistan’s batters in check until Azmatullah Omarzai and Sediqullah Atal’s brisk 85-run partnership off just 35 balls.

The pair took advantage of the sloppy Hong Kong fielding and counterattacked with brisk batting.

Azmatullah perished after launching a brutal assault on Ayush Shukla, smashing three sixes and fours in the 19th over. He made 53 off 21 balls, an innings laced with five maximums and two fours.

On the contrary, Sediqullah remained unbeaten, scoring 73 off 52 balls peppered with half a dozen fours and three sixes.

For Hong Kong, Kinchit Shah and Ayush Shukla picked up two wickets.

PLAYING XIs:

Afghanistan XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (capt), Noor Ahmad, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Hong Kong XI: Zeeshan Ali (wk), Babar Hayat, Anshuman Rath, Kalhan Challu, Nizakat Khan, Aizaz Khan, Kinchit Shah, Yasim Murtaza (capt), Ayush Shukla, Ateeq Iqbal, Ehsan Khan

READ: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 likely dates revealed

ABU DHABI: Afghanistan have won the toss and opted to bat first against Hong Kong in the opening match of the Asia Cup 2025 here at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

PLAYING XIs:

Afghanistan XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (capt), Noor Ahmad, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Hong Kong XI: Zeeshan Ali (wk), Babar Hayat, Anshuman Rath, Kalhan Challu, Nizakat Khan, Aizaz Khan, Kinchit Shah, Yasim Murtaza (capt), Ayush Shukla, Ateeq Iqbal, Ehsan Khan

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD: 

Afghanistan and Hong Kong have faced each other five times in the T20I format, with the former having a narrow margin with three wins to its name.

Matches 9, Hong Kong 2, Afghanistan 3

The continental tournament will be played across two venues, Dubai International Cricket Stadium and Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, in the UAE from September 9 to 28.

Abu Dhabi will stage eight matches, including one Super Four clash on September 23, while Dubai will host the majority of the games, including both high-voltage Pakistan-India clashes if the two sides progress beyond the group stage.

All matches will begin at 6 PM Gulf Standard Time, barring the September 15 fixture between the UAE and Oman.

READ: Trophy unveiled for ACC men’s Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai

SHARJAH: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha praised Mohammad Nawaz after his heroics against Afghanistan in the final of the tri-series here at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Set 142, Afghanistan crumbled under pressure and were bowled out for just 66 in 15.5 overs, handing Pakistan a massive 75-run victory.

After the match, Salman Ali Agha highlighted the pitch and Pakistan’s total.

“It was the kind of wicket where even 130-140 was always going to be challenging, and once we got there, we knew it would be tough for them,” he remarked.

He lauded Mohammad Nawaz for his performance, expressing immense confidence in him during difficult situations.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“Since Nawaz’s comeback, he’s been outstanding, performing brilliantly in all departments. For me, he’s the guy I can rely on in tough situations,” he said.

The 31-year-old spoke about playing eleven and going with two spinners in the final

“People often ask us – former cricketers, fans on social media – why we don’t play two spinners? We select based on conditions, and today it worked,” he revealed.

“We wanted to prepare in a way that helps us for the Asia Cup, and we’ve done that. We’ve been doing really well since the Bangladesh home series. Finally, we’re in very good shape and fully prepared for the Asia Cup,” he concluded.

READ: Mohammad Nawaz reflects on match-winning performance in tri-series final

SHARJAH: All-rounder Mohammad Nawaz shared his thoughts after leading Pakistan to a tri-series win over Afghanistan here at the Sharjah Stadium on Sunday.

Set 142, Afghanistan crumbled under pressure and were bowled out for just 66 in 15.5 overs.

Mohammad Nawaz starred with the bat and ball, picking up five for just 19 runs and scoring a vital 25 runs during the latter half of Pakistan’s innings.

Following the match, Nawaz stated his plan and shed light on his hat-trick-laced bowling spell.

“The plan was very simple. We knew the pitch was difficult to bat on, and we felt we had enough runs. Our focus was on disciplined bowling, sticking to line and length, and it worked, ” he said.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“After my first two balls, I noticed there was spin, so I adjusted the pace accordingly. I bowled within the stumps, keeping the pads in view. I’m feeling really good and in rhythm, and having that control gives me confidence to stick with the plan,” he explained.

He emphasized his batting when Pakistan were in trouble, highlighting the partnerships and reaching a competitive total.

“I try to keep it simple and execute plans properly. At that point in the innings, we needed partnerships. It wasn’t easy to go after their spinners – they’re world-class – but we managed to recover and aimed for 140. Thankfully, we got there,” Nawaz concluded.

READ: Mohammad Nawaz joins elite list with hat-trick against Afghanistan

SHARJAH: Pakistan left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz on Sunday entered an elite list after taking a hat-trick in the final of the tri-series against Afghanistan here at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Set 142, Afghanistan were reeling in the powerplay, courtesy of Mohammad Nawaz’s brilliant bowling spell. He took five for just 19 runs in his quota of four overs.

Nawaz came into the bowling attack in the last over of the powerplay and started to trouble Afghanistan batters.

The left-armer removed Darwish Rasooli and Azmatullah Omarzai on successive balls, which turned the match on its head.

On the first ball of his next over, he dismissed Ibrahim Zadran, who was stumped to complete his hat-trick.

With this feat, he became the third Pakistani player to take a hat-trick in the T20I format.

Hat-tricks for Pakistan in T20Is 

Faheem Ashraf against Sri Lanka in 2017

Mohammad Hasnain against Sri Lanka in 2019

Mohammad Nawaz against Afghanistan 2025

After opting to bat, Pakistan put on a shambolic batting display and could only manage to score 141 for 8 in their 20 overs.

Mohammad Nawaz was crucial with the bat as well, scoring a vital 25 off 21 balls, striking two sixes.

At the time of filing this story, Afghanistan were 64-9 in 14.3 overs with 78 runs more required to win.

Playing XIs

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (c), Mohammad Nabi, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz

READ: Pakistan sets Afghanistan 142 to win in tri-series final

SHARJAH: Mohammad Nawaz’s fiery five-fer, including a hat-trick, rattled Afghanistan as Pakistan secured the tri-series title at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Set 142, Afghanistan crumbled under pressure and were bundled out for just 66 runs in 15.5 overs.

Afghanistan had a similar start to Pakistan as they lost their opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz (5) in the opening over.

The next wicket came on the fourth ball of the fourth over as Sediqullah Atal (13) was caught by Faheem Ashraf. The wicket, however, sparked a massive collapse that Afghanistan could not recover from.

With Mohammad Nawaz’s introduction into the attack in the last over of the powerplay, things got ominous for Afghanistan. He first removed Darwish Rasooli for nought and then Azmatullah Omarzai (0) to put Pakistan in a commanding position.

Furthermore, he sent Ibrahim Zadran (9) packing on the first ball of the next over to bag a hat-trick. As a result, Afghanistan were 32-5 in 7.1 overs.

Afghanistan continued to lose wickets with no major contribution from the middle order, which eventually handed Pakistan a comprehensive victory.

For Pakistan, Mohammad Nawaz remained the standout bowler, taking five wickets, whereas Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem picked up two wickets each.

Earlier, Rashid Khan’s three-wicket haul restricted Pakistan to 141-8.

After opting to bat, Pakistan put on a shambolic batting display and could only manage to score 141 for 8 in their 20 overs.

Afghanistan put Pakistan under pressure right from the start as out-of-form Sahibzada Farhan was castled on the third ball of the opening over.

Following an early wicket, Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman tried to rebuild after a slow start. Both batters batted cautiously until the last ball of the eighth over.

As soon as Noor Ahmed and Rashid Khan came to bowl, Pakistan batters looked in trouble. Both bowled in tandem and halted Pakistan’s progress.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Saim Ayub was the first to go, caught after making 17 off 19 balls with the help of two fours, and on the very first ball of the eighth over, Zaman, who made 27 off 26 balls, was trapped in front.\

As a result, Green Shirts were reduced to 51-3 in 8.2 overs.

Afghanistan continued to take wickets and put pressure on Pakistan with economical bowling. Hasan Nawaz was caught after hitting a six in Rashid’s over, whereas wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Haris was cleaned up by Noor Ahmed.

Pakistan tried to break the shackles in the second half of the innings, with Mohammad Nawaz pressing the paddle with a 25-run knock. He hit two sixes in his crucial innings before getting dismissed on the second ball of the final over.

Yet, Pakistan managed to post a below-par score courtesy of fine bowling from Afghanistan.

For Afghanistan, Rashid Khan picked up three wickets, whereas Noor Ahmed and Fazalhaq Farooqi were equally good with two wickets each.

Playing XIs

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (c), Mohammad Nabi, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz

READ: Mishara’s maiden half-century seals T20I series for Sri Lanka

SHARJAH: Pakistan beat Afghanistan by 75 runs to win the final of the tri-series here at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

AFG: 66 (15 overs)

15.5: All over for Afghanistan as Pakistan clinch tri-series title

AM Ghazanfar 7 (7b 0x4 1×6 12m) SR: 100

Sufiyan continues

AFG: 65/9 (15 overs)

Abrar to bowl

AFG: 64/9 (14 overs)

Sufiyan to continue

AFG: 57/8 (13 overs)

Nawaz to bowl

AFG: 49/7 (12 overs)

Sufiyan introduced for the first time in the attack

AFG: 47/7 (11 overs)

Abrar comes to bowl

AFG: 44/6 (10 overs)

Nawaz to continue

AFG: 34/6 (9 overs)

Saim to continue

AFG: 32/6 (8 overs)

7.4: Another one for Nawaz. he has now four wickets for one runs in his two overs

Karim Janat 0 (3b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0

7.1: What a ball, and Zadran is out stumped. Hat-trick for Mohammad Nawaz

Ibrahim Zadran 9 (15b 0x4 0x6) SR: 60

Nawaz continues

AFG: 32/4 (7 overs)

Saim returns

AFG: 29/4 (6 overs)

5.5: Rasooli is lbw for a nought. Afhgan

Darwish Rasooli Nawaz 0 (5b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0

Mohammad Nawaz comes to bowl

AFG: 28/2 (5 overs)

4.4: A soft dismissal as Atal is caught at covers. Abrar with his first wicket of the match

Sediqullah Atal 13 (15b 2×4 0x6) SR: 86.66

Abrar to bowl

AFG: 22/1 (4 overs)

Saim Ayub comes to bowl

AFG: 17/1 (3 overs)

Shaheen continues

AFG: 16/1 (2 overs)

Spin from the other end. Abrar Ahmed to bowl the second over

AFG: 7/1 (1 over)

0.5: Shaheen gets Gurbaz early as he is caught at first slip

Rahmanullah Gurbaz 5 (4b 1×4 0x6) SR: 125

Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sediqullah Atal to open the innings for Afghanistan. Shaheen Afridi with the new ball.

PAKISTAN vs Afghanistan (2nd INNINGS)

SHARJAH: Pakistan set Afghanistan 142 runs to win in the final of the tri-series here at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

PAK: 141/8 (20 Overs) 

Farooqi to close out the innings

PAK: 130/7 (19 Overs) 

18.5: Faheem Ashraf is out

Faheem Ashraf 15 (8b 2×4 1×6) SR: 187.5

Ghazanfar to bowl his final over of the night

PAK: 122/6 (18 Overs) 

Nabi to bowl his final over

PAK: 116/6 (17 Overs) 

16.5: Rashid has the last laugh. He removes Agha, who hit two sixes in this over.

Salman Agha 24 (27b 0x4 2×6) SR: 88.88

Rashid Khan returns

PAK: 99/5 (16 Overs) 

Noor Ahmed to bowl his final over

PAK: 95/5 (15 Overs) 

Ghazanfar comes back

PAK: 86/5 (14 Overs) 

Nabi returns

PAK: 80/5 (13 Overs) 

Rashid continues

PAK: 76/5 (12 Overs) 

11.3: Another one bites the dust as Afghanistan leaves Pakistan reeling

Mohammad Haris 2 (3b 0x4 0x6) SR: 66.66

Noor Ahmad comes to bowl

PAK: 70/4 (11 Overs) 

10.5: Nawaz tries to go for another big one, and it’s caught.

Hasan Nawaz  15 (8b 1×4 1×6) SR: 187.5

Rashid to continue

PAK: 61/3 (10 Overs) 

Noor continues

PAK: 58/3 (9 Overs) 

8.2: Back-to-back blows as Fakhar is trapped in front

Fakhar Zaman  27 (26b 2×4 1×6) SR: 103.84

Rashid Khan to bowl his first over

PAK: 50/2 (8 Overs) 

7.5: Noor gets Saim, and it’s a big wicket for Afghanistan at this stage of the game, just when Pakistan were trying to break the shackles.

Saim Ayub 17 (19b 2×4 0x6) SR: 89.47

Noor Ahmad comes to bowl

PAK: 46/1 (7 Overs) 

Nabi continues

PAK: 41/1 (6 Overs) 

Ghazanfar to continue

PAK: 32/1 ( 5 Overs)

Mohammad Nabi introduced into the attack for the first time

PAK: 19/1 ( 4 Overs)

Change in the bowling. It’s time for the AM Ghazanfar mystery.

PAK: 16/1 ( 3 Overs)

Farooqi continues

PAK: 8/1 ( 2 Overs)

Azmatullah Omarzai will share the new ball from the other end

PAK: 2/1 (1 Over)

0.3: Over the wicket and Farooqi with a beauty to castle Farhan, who tried to play across the line and ended up losing his wicket. First blow for Pakistan.

Sahibzada Farhan  0 (3b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0

Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan to open the innings for Pakistan. Fazalhaq Farooqi will take the new ball for Afghanistan

PAKISTAN vs Afghanistan (1st INNINGS)

SHARJAH: Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bat first against Afghanistan in the final of the tri-series here at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Playing XIs

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (c), Mohammad Nabi, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:

Both teams have faced each other in nine T20I matches so far. In this competitive rivalry, Pakistan holds a narrow edge with five victories, while Afghanistan has notched four wins.

Matches 9, Pakistan 5, Afghanistan 4

READ: Former cricketers back Pakistan amid strong India challenge in Asia Cup 2025

SHARJAH: Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bat first against Afghanistan in the final of the tri-series here at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

In the opening match of the tri-series, Pakistan comprehensively defeated Afghanistan by 39 runs, primarily due to a powerful batting display.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan made a strong comeback in their second outing, defeating the Green Shirts by 19 runs, courtesy of a strong bowling performance.

Playing XIs

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (c), Mohammad Nabi, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:

Both teams have faced each other in nine T20I matches so far. In this competitive rivalry, Pakistan holds a narrow edge with five victories, while Afghanistan has notched four wins.

Matches 9, Pakistan 5, Afghanistan 4

READ: Abdul Razzaq reacts to Tamannaah Bhatia’s reply on marriage rumours