Picture Credit: X
Afghanistan have been handed a massive blow ahead of the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, set to get underway from February 19 in Pakistan. This comes as a big one for the Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side after Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who continues to miss playing the 50-over format after failing to regain complete fitness.
The young spin sensation Allah Ghazanfar, who was all set to feature in his maiden ICC major tournament, has sustained a fracture in the L4 vertebra during the recent tour of Zimbabwe and will remain out of action for a considerable time, including the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), which is scheduled to begin from March 21.
Afghanistan name Nangyal Kharoti as AM Ghazanfar’s replacement for ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025
Ghazanfar, who has had a brilliant start to his international career, especially in ODIs where he has picked up 21 wickets in 11 ODI matches at an average of 13.57, will be replaced by Nangyala Kharoti in the main squad. Taking to X (formerly called Twitter), Afghanistan cricket Board (ACB) wrote, "Afghanistan's young spin-bowling sensation, AM Ghazanfar, has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy due to a fracture in the L4 vertebra, specifically in the left pars interarticularis. He sustained the injury during Afghanistan's recently held tour Zimbabwe, and will be sidelined for a minimum of four months and will remain under treatment during this period.”
“Nangyal Kharoti, who was part of the reserves pool, has been promoted to the main squad for the Champions Trophy. Additionally, Mujeeb Ur Rahman's continues to miss the ODI action, until he has fully recovered,” the statement from ACB further read.
Moreover, Ghazanfar’s injury comes as a major blow for the five-time champions Mumbai Indians, who secured his services for the upcoming edition in the IPL 2025 mega auction. The Afghan spinner was roped in for INR 4.8 Crore and will now miss out the 18th edition of cash-rich league due to the injury.
Afghanistan’s squad for ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025
Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, Naveed Zadran.
