Afghanistan fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from a shoulder injury. In a major setback for the team, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed on Monday, 15th September, that Naveen-ul-Haq will miss the remainder of Asia Cup 2025.
He had already been absent from Afghanistan’s opening match of the tournament against Hong Kong. Prior to the Asia Cup, Naveen also missed the T20I Tri-Series against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Pakistan.
Naveen last represented Afghanistan in a T20I in December 2024 against Zimbabwe and was most recently seen in action in the Major League Cricket (MLC) in the USA in June.
Afghanistan Draft Abdollah Ahmadzai as Naveen Ul Haq’s Replacement
With Naveen Ul Haq ruled out of the remainder of Asia Cup 2025, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has called up Abdollah Ahmadzai, who was initially named in the reserves, as his replacement. Ahmadzai made his T20I debut earlier this month against the UAE in the T20I Tri-Series, taking one wicket in the match.
Commenting on Naveen’s absence for the rest of the tournament, the ACB said:
“Naveen will continue to undergo intensive treatment and rehabilitation until he is fully fit.”
The Afghanistan squad also features specialist pacers Fazalhaq Farooqi and Fareed Ahmad, alongside three fast-bowling all-rounders: Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, and Karim Janat.
Afghanistan – Updated Squad for Asia Cup 2025:
Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wk), Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Ishaq (Wk), Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (C), Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Fareed Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Allah Ghazanfar, Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Abdollah Ahmadzai
Afghanistan Dominate Hong Kong in Asia Cup Opener
Afghanistan began their Asia Cup 2025 campaign in style, defeating Hong Kong by 94 runs in the tournament opener. Half-centuries from Sediqullah Atal (73)* and Azmatullah Omarzai (53) helped Afghanistan post 188/6 in their innings. In response, Hong Kong were restricted to 94/9, with Fazalhaq Farooqi and Gulbadin Naib claiming two wickets each.
With two points and a Net Run Rate (NRR) of +4.700, Afghanistan sit atop Group B, which also includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong. Their next match is against Bangladesh on September 16 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.