Afghanistan
Afghanistan faces a huge blow as key player is ruled out of Asia Cup 2025 (Credits :"X"/@ACBofficials)

Afghanistan suffered a setback in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 after fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament. Abdullah Ahmadzai, who recently made his international debut, has been announced as a replacement.

Naveen, who was a part of Afghanistan’s Asia Cup squad, did not feature in the team’s opening match due to fitness issues. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed that the experienced pacer is still recovering from a shoulder injury and has not been declared fit by the ACB medical team to participate in the remaining games. He will return home to focus on rehabilitation and treatment.

The ACB released a statement on Monday, 15 September, “We wish Naveen Ul Haq a full and quick recovery while also sending our best wishes to Abdullah Ahmadzai as he joins the squad for the upcoming matches, ” the ACB Stated in the statement.

Afghanistan, led by Rashid Khan, began their Asia Cup 2025 with a win over Hong Kong. In a tough Group B, they will face Bangladesh on 16 September and Sri Lanka on 18 September.

Updated squad of Afghanistan for Asia Cup 2025 : Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Rashid Khan (C), Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Allah Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Farid Malik, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Ishaq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

V M Suriya Narayanan is a passionate cricket writer who has been following the game since 2007. With a background in Civil Engineering (B.E.), he blends analytical thinking with a deep understanding of...