Afghanistan will begin their preparations for the Asia Cup 2025 with a T20I tri-series against Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates in Sharjah on Friday. The series is seen as a timely opportunity for Rashid Khan’s men to sharpen strategies and assess combinations before the continental showpiece.
Facing Pakistan, one of their Asia Cup group-stage opponents, will also provide crucial insights into a familiar rival. The tri-series follows a double round-robin format, with the top two teams advancing to the final on September 7. Afghanistan’s Asia Cup campaign begins two days later against Hong Kong.
The selectors have kept faith with almost the same group of players for both tournaments, with pacer Naveen-ul-Haq the only absentee from the Sharjah tri-series. His place has gone to Abdollah Ahmadzai, a 22-year-old fast bowler who has 14 wickets in 10 T20s but is yet to make his international debut. Ahmadzai also features among the Asia Cup reserves.
Another potential debutant is mystery spinner AM Ghazanfar, who could be handed his first T20I cap in Sharjah. He joins Afghanistan’s formidable spin unit comprising Rashid, Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad.
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