Opening batter Ibrahim returns as Afghanistan announced their preliminary 15-member squad for their first-ever appearance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be held in Pakistan and UAE from February 19.

Hashmatullah Shahidi will continue to lead Afghanistan in their maiden ICC Men's Champions Trophy campaign. Afghanistan arrive into the tournament on the back of impressive displays at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in 2023 and last year's Men's T20 World Cup, where they finished as semifinalists.

Ibrahim Zadran missed international cricket action since June 2024 with an ankle injury he has sustained last year. He now returns to the national side to accompany swashbuckling Rahmanullah Gurbaz at the top of the batting followed by the likes of Rahmat Shah and skipper Shahidi, making up for a strong top-four.

Meanwhile, a notable exclusion from the squad is spinner Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman, who was a key member of Afghanistan's squad in the Men's Cricket World Cup back in 2023. The ACB interim chief selector Ahmad Suliman Khil revealed the spinner was not available for selection and will focus on T20s.

"Mujeeb Ur Rahman was not available for the selection as he has been advised by his doctor to focus on T20s for a while to ensure his full recovery before returning to ODIs. That was also the reason he missed on the recently concluded ODI series against Zimbabwe," the selector was quoted as saying on ICC.com.

While Mujeeb is not included, the bowling unit is strengthened by the presence of star tweaker Rashid Khan alongside all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, and Fazalhaq Farooqi, who is the pace spearhead. Noor Ahmad and Allah Ghazanfar are the two other spinners, while Farid Malik and Naveed Zadran are the other bowlers in the squad.

Sediqullah Atal, who earned his senior call up after impressing in last year's Emerging Asia Cup, is another option for the top order, while Ikram Alikhil is the back up wicketkeeper. All-rounders Azmatullah Omarzai and Gulbadin Naib make up the rest of the squad. Here is a look at Afghanistan squad for Champions Trophy 2025:

Afghanistan Champions Trophy squad

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

Afghanistan's Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule

In their maiden Champions Trophy appearance, Afghanistan have been drawn in Group B alongside Australia, South Africa and England. Shahidi's side will open their campaign against South Africa in Karachi before they head to Lahore to take on England and Australia. Here is a look their Group Stage Fixtures:

• 21 February: Afghanistan vs South Africa, Karachi
• 26 February: Afghanistan vs England, Lahore
• 28 February: Afghanistan vs Australia, Lahore