Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) replaced on Monday right-wing Pacer Naveen-Uhq with Pacer Abdullah Ahmadzai in the middle of the current ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 because of a shoulder injury.
In a statement, the Cricket Board mentioned his injury as the cause of depositing and said he recovered from a shoulder injury, he was not declared suitable by the medical team, so he would not play the remaining matches of the tournament.
“The Veteran Fast Bowler of Afghanistan, NAVEEN UL HaQ, is excluded from the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025,” the ACB said in a statement.
“He is still recovering from a shoulder injury and has not been declared suitable by the ACB Medical Team to participate in the remaining competitions. NAVEEN will continue to undergo intensive treatment and rehabilitation until he is completely fit,” it added.
Naveen has been replaced by emerging Pacer Abdullah Ahmadzai, who made his T20i debut against the United Arab Emirates (VAE) in the recently held T20i Tri series.
“Fast Bowler Abdullah Ahmadzai, who was previously in the reserves and recently made his international debut, was promoted to the head team for the Asia Cup 2025,” the ACB’s statement continued.
“The ACB wishes NAVEEN UL HaQ a speedy recovery and extends its best wishes to Abdullah Ahmadzai for the matches in front of us.”
For the unexpected, Afghanistan has so far played only one match in the Asia Cup 2025 – the curtain booster in Dubai – where they beat Hong Kong with 94 points. Their next group stage match is planned to be played on Tuesday in Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Afghanistan Ploeg for Asia Cup 2025:
Rashid Khan (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin, Mohammad IshaQ Farid Ahmad Malik, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Abdullah Ahmadzai.
