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Shocker For Afghanistan! AM Ghazanfar Ruled Out Of Champions Trophy, ACB Names Replacement

Soumyajit Dutta

Afghanistan names Nangyal Kharote as the replacement for AM Ghazanfar [Source: @acb_190/X.com]Afghanistan names Nangyal Kharote as the replacement for AM Ghazanfar [Source: @acb_190/X.com]

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In a huge setback for the Afghanistan cricket team, their potential match-winner, AM Ghazanfar was ruled out of the Champions Trophy. After the development, Afghanistan’s cricket board has finalized its squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, introducing another young spinner as his replacement.

Notably, the 19-year-old AM Ghazanfar suffered a fracture in his L4 vertebra (left pars interarticularis) during Afghanistan’s recent tour of Zimbabwe, sidelining him for at least four months.

Afghanistan Shuffles Spin Department, Names Ghazanfar's Replacement

Ghazanfar’s absence compounds the team’s woes, as seasoned spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman remains unavailable while recovering from an undisclosed issue. The duo’s exclusion leaves a gap in Afghanistan’s strategy, traditionally reliant on a potent spin attack. 

Stepping into the void is 20-year-old left-arm spinner Nangyal Kharote, promoted from the reserves. Kharote, who has earned seven ODI caps since his debut in 2022, last played against Bangladesh in Sharjah in late 2023. His recall offers an opportunity to bolster the lineup ahead of the tournament.

Nangyal Kharote has played 7 ODIs and picked up 11 wickets at an impressive average of 16.54. His best bowling figures in an innings stand at 4/26, with an economy rate of 3.68 and a strike rate of 26.9. Kharote has also registered two four-wicket hauls in his short ODI career.

When Will AM Ghazanfar Recover?

In an official release, the board confirmed Ghazanfar’s injury occurred during the Zimbabwe series, requiring extensive rehabilitation. “He will undergo treatment over the next four months,” the statement noted, emphasizing Mujeeb’s continued absence until he achieves full fitness.  Consequently, Afghanistan’s spin strategy, once anchored by Mujeeb’s craftiness now hinges on fresh faces. 

The eight-nation Champions Trophy, co-hosted by Pakistan and the UAE, will see Afghanistan open their Group B campaign against South Africa in Karachi. Subsequent matches against England and Australia in Lahore will test their revamped squad. 

Afghanistan's Champions Trophy Squad (Updated)

Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharote, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, Naveed Zadran.
Reserves - Darwish Rasooli, Bilal Sami