Sediqullah Atal and Rashid Khan (Source:@acb_190/X.com)
Afghanistan have seen a steady rise in their stature in world cricket in the last decade. Many of their cricketers are now superstars of different franchise leagues in the world, and they even qualified for the semifinal of the T20 World Cup 2024.
Thus, there are high hopes that they will do well in the Asia Cup 2025 as well. Also, apart from the established players, many young players are also coming out of the Afghanistan system, and they could make a big impact in the upcoming Asia Cup. Thus, in this article, we will look at three players who can be surprise weapons for Afghanistan in the Asia Cup 2025.
3. Fareed Malik
The left-arm pacer made his T20I debut back in 2016, but has not been a regular member of the side. However, he has been doing well in the last few years. He is known for his pace and wicket-taking abilities and could turn out to be a surprise weapon for Afghanistan.
Fareed Malik In T20Is
Criterion
Data
Innings
32
Wickets
42
Average
20.19
Strike-Rate
14.3
Economy Rate
8.46
Fareed also bowled brilliantly against a strong team like India in 2024 where he picked three wickets while giving away just 20 runs. Overall, he has an excellent bowling average and strike-rate in the shortest format and has rarely gone wicketless in his T20I career. Thus, he is one of the lesser-known Afghan players to watch out for.
The left-handed batter has made all the right noises in the last year or so. He is considered as the future batting star of Afghanistan cricket and was also drafted in by Delhi Capitals for IPL 2025, which speaks a lot about his talent.
Sediqullah Atal In T20s
Criterion
Data
Innings
62
Wickets
1989
Average
34.29
Strike-Rate
135.30
Sediqullah Atal is known for his consistency and has an average close to 35 in the shortest format. Afghanistan are trusting the 24-year-old to bat at number 3 in T20Is, and the upcoming Asia Cup could be a breakthrough international series for him.
1. Allah Ghazanfar
The spinner has got off to a fantastic start in the ODI format. He brings an element of mystery to the table, and his accuracy has made him a lethal bowler. He is yet to play a T20I for Afghanistan, but is rated very highly and even got the contract from MI for IPL 2025.
Allah Ghazanfar In T20s
Criterion
Data
Innings
41
Wickets
54
Average
19.37
Strike-Rate
16.9
Economy
6.87
The injury, though, halted his progress, and now he is back is the Afghanistan side. His record in the shortest format is pretty good in domestic matches and franchise leagues, and could be Afghanistan's surprise weapon in the Asia Cup 2025. Also, not many teams in Asia Cup have played him before and they might find it tough to pick him initially.
Sediqullah Atal and Rashid Khan (Source:@acb_190/X.com).jpg)
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