Asia Cup 2025: Afghanistan Pacer Naveen-ul-Haq Sidelined, Ahmadzai Gets Call-Up

Afghanistan fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq has been ruled out of the Asia Cup 2025 after failing to recover from a shoulder injury.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed that Naveen has not been cleared by the medical team and will return home to continue treatment and rehabilitation. Here’s everything you need to know.

Naveen-ul-Haq Ruled out from Asia Cup 2025

Naveen was part of Afghanistan’s Asia Cup squad but did not play in the opening match against Hong Kong due to fitness concerns. The 25-year-old pacer had also missed the recent UAE tri-series involving Pakistan and the hosts.

His last international appearance came in December 2024 against Zimbabwe in Harare. Since then, he has featured in franchise cricket, including the SA20 and Major League Cricket, but has struggled with injury in recent months.

In his absence, Abdullah Ahmadzai has been added to the main squad. The 22-year-old pacer, originally named in the reserves, made his T20I debut earlier this year during the tri-series against UAE, where he picked up 1 for 31.

Ahmadzai has 15 wickets in 11 domestic T20 matches and will join Fazalhaq Farooqi and Fareed Ahmad as part of Afghanistan’s pace attack, alongside all-round options like Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, and Karim Janat.

Afghanistan started their Asia Cup campaign with a convincing win over Hong Kong and are set to face Bangladesh on September 16, followed by Sri Lanka on September 18.

                                               

Relevant news