Afghanistan Asia Cup 2025 squad announced for tri-series against Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) moves forward with preparations for two key T20I assignments. The ACB officially unveiled a preliminary squad led by star spinner Rashid Khan, which will be trimmed down to the final 15-member team after a two-week training and preparation camp. This move comes as Afghanistan gears up for both the T20I tri-nation series and the highly anticipated ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025.
The ACB’s decision to announce the initial squad well in advance highlights their strategic planning for international tournaments. The upcoming tri-series is scheduled to begin on August 29 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, with Afghanistan facing Pakistan in the opening match. The competition serves as a key warm-up event ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, which will also be hosted in the UAE from September 9 to 28.
According to a statement by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which also confirmed the tri-series schedule, each team will face the other twice, providing every side with at least four matches before the top two teams qualify for the final. The final is set to take place on September 7, giving the participating teams a solid opportunity to test their squads and build momentum before the continental showdown.
Here is the full schedule for the T20I Tri-Series at Sharjah:
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August 29: Afghanistan vs Pakistan
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August 30: UAE vs Pakistan
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September 1: UAE vs Afghanistan
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September 2: Pakistan vs Afghanistan
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September 4: Pakistan vs UAE
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September 5: Afghanistan vs UAE
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September 7: Final
All matches will begin at 7 PM local time, making for ideal prime-time viewership.
Afghanistan’s Plans Ahead of Asia Cup 2025
With the Afghanistan Asia Cup 2025 squad announced for tri-series, the team management’s focus now turns to selecting the best combination from the preliminary list. The training camp will serve to assess players’ fitness, form, and match-readiness. Rashid Khan’s leadership is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping a competitive unit for both tournaments. Afghanistan has shown significant growth in T20 cricket, and the back-to-back tournaments will be a real test of their consistency and adaptability, especially in UAE conditions.
The PCB in their statement highlighted the importance of this tri-nation series, noting that it would allow all teams to “acclimatise to the conditions ahead of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025,” offering match situations similar to those expected during the main tournament. This sentiment is echoed across the cricketing world, where such preparatory series are seen as essential to team performance in major competitions.
Fans can follow official updates through platforms like the Afghanistan Cricket Board and Pakistan Cricket Board, where further announcements, including the final squad selection and match analysis, will be shared.
Importance of the Series for Regional Cricket
The tri-series and the Asia Cup together represent a crucial period for Afghan cricket. Not only will they get a chance to test young and experienced players, but the tournaments also offer a chance to compete against well-structured teams like Pakistan and UAE. The Afghan squad, known for its spin-heavy attack and emerging T20 talents, will likely leverage familiar Sharjah conditions to their advantage.
Moreover, this series is seen as part of a wider strategy to position Afghanistan as a competitive force in global cricket. Participating in high-pressure matches prior to the Asia Cup will build team cohesion and mental strength—two elements critical in high-stakes tournaments. With this momentum, Afghanistan will look to make a deeper impact in the Asia Cup than in previous editions.
As the Afghanistan Asia Cup 2025 squad announced for tri-series gears up for action, fans and experts alike await to see which players will rise to the occasion and help shape the future of Afghan cricket.
