Fazalhaq Farooqi has been named in the 17-member Afghanistan cricket squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. The tournament, played in the T20I format, will be hosted by the UAE from September 9 to 28.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced the squad on Sunday.
The left-arm seamer, who was in the Rajasthan Royals squad for IPL 2025, is one of the only three frontline pacers in the squad. Naveen-Ul-Haq and Farid Malik are the other two.
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Since making his international debut in March 2021, Farooqi has swiftly established himself as one of Afghanistan’s premier T20I bowlers.
He has played 43 T20Is, claiming 54 wickets at an average of 19.09.
In the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, he emerged as the joint-highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets in eight matches - including a career-best 5 for 9 against Uganda - spearheading Afghanistan’s historic march to the semi-finals.
Farooqi has also played 12 IPL matches to date.
Afghanistan, to be led by Rashid Khan, have been drawn in Bangladesh, Hong Kong China and Sri Lanka in Group B for the 2025 Asia Cup.
Farooqi and Co. will kick off their Asia Cup campaign against Hong Kong China on September 9 in Dubai.
Afghanistan Asia Cup 2025 squad
Afghanistan cricket team: Rashid Khan (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Ishaq, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb ur Rahman, AM Ghazanfar, Farid Ahmad Malik, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen ul Haq
Reserve players: Wafiullah Tarakhil, Nangeyalia Kharote, Abdullah Ahmadzai
