Asia Cup 2025: Naveen-ul-Haq Ruled Out, Abdullah Ahmadzai Joins Afghanistan Squad
Afghanistan have suffered a big setback in the Asia Cup 2025, as their key fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq has been ruled out of the tournament due to an ongoing shoulder injury. To fill the gap, the team has called in young pacer Abdullah Ahmadzai as his replacement.
"Afghanistan's veteran fast bowler, Naveen Ul Haq, has been ruled out of the ACC Men's T20 Asia Cup 2025. He is still recovering from a shoulder injury and has not been declared fit by the ACB medical team to participate in the remaining matches," Afghanistan Cricket Board wrote in a statement on X.
Naveen-ul-Haq ruled out of Asia Cup 2025, Abdullah Ahmadzai named replacement
The Board added that Naveen will be undergo 'intensive treatment and rehabilitation until he is fully fit'. Afghanistan have meanwhile added Ahmadzai to their main squad from the reserves. Ahmadzai has played one T20I for the Afghanistan side and made his debut against the UAE in the tri-series that also featured Pakistan.
Naveen was named in Afghanistan’s 17-man squad for the Asia Cup and was set to play his first international game of the year. His last appearance came in a T20I back in December 2024. Since he has already retired from ODIs, and Afghanistan mostly play that format, he hasn’t had a chance to feature in the team since then.
Afghanistan’s Asia Cup 2025 Squad and Upcoming Matches
Coming to Afghanistan, the Rashid Khan-led side has played one match in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 and registered an emphatic win over Hong Kong in their opener. Afghanistan have been placed in a group of death alongside Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong in Group B.
Afghanistan will play their second match against Bangladesh at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on September 16. Their last group game will be against Sri Lanka on September 18. To make it to the Super Four, they will need to give their best in both matches.
Afghanistan squad for Asia Cup 2025: Rashid Khan (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Ishaq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Allah Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Farid Malik, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Fazalhaq Farooqi.