In spite of Rashid Khan’s recent slump in form, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is hopeful about their star leg-spinner as they gear up for the Asia Cup 2025, which is scheduled to be held in the UAE from September 9 to 28.
On Tuesday, a senior ACB official said the board is not much worried about Rashid’s current form and has complete confidence in his ability to recover. Rashid will also captain the 22-member provisional squad, which was announced officially for the continental tournament.
“Rashid Khan is Afghanistan’s superstar player. He has always done it for the team. Being in form or out of form, that’s a part of the game, but he knows very well how to come back stronger and perform in major events for the team and the country,” Mir Mubariz, ACB’s selection committee member, told Cricbuzz.
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Following an underwhelming IPL campaign with the Gujarat Titans, where he took only nine wickets at 9.34 economy and an average of 57.11, Rashid declined Major League Cricket (MLC) with MI New York to allow him time for rehabilitation and preparation. The ACB supported his move, citing that it gives him time to recharge for key international matches.
As per ACB official Mubariz, the team will have a two-week training camp before a tri-nation T20I series involving Pakistan and the UAE, which will act as an important match practice before the Asia Cup.
Afghanistan are grouped with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong in Group B of the Asia Cup. Afghanistan will start their campaign on September 9 against Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi, followed by a game against Bangladesh on September 16 and then Sri Lanka on September 18.
In the meantime, a crucial team management call will be deciding on the opening pair. Mubariz has assured that the captain and coach will look at possibilities from Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, and Ibrahim Zadran, of whom only two are expected to feature in the starting XI.
Afghanistan’s 22-member preliminary squad: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Sediqullah Atal, Wafiullah Tarakhil, Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Ishaq, Rashid Khan (C), Mohammad Nabi, Nangyal Kharoti, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mujeeb Zadran, AM Ghazanfar, Naveen ul Haq, Farid Malik, Saleem Safi, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Noor Ahmad, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Bashir Ahmad.
