Huge Blow For Afghanistan As Star Bowler Ruled Out Of Asia Cup With Injury

Afghanistan have been dealt a body blow just one game into their Asia Cup 2025 campaign as star pacer Naveen-ul-Haq has been ruled out of the remainder of the competition with a shoulder injury. Naveen did not play Afghanistan’s first game against Hong Kong owing to the same injury, and he will now instead return home to focus on recovery.

22-year-old fast bowler Abdullah Ahmadzai, who made his international debut in the tri-series against UAE and Pakistan earlier this month, will replace Naveen in Afghanistan’s squad.

“He [Naveen]  is still recovering from a shoulder injury and has not been declared fit by the ACB medical team to participate in the remaining matches. Naveen will continue to undergo intensive treatment and rehabilitation until he is fully fit,” ACB said in a statement on X. 

“Fast bowler Abdullah Ahmadzai, who was previously in the reserves and recently made his international debut, has been promoted to the main squad for the Asia Cup 2025.

“The ACB wishes Naveen Ul Haq a speedy recovery and extends its best wishes to Abdullah Ahmadzai for the matches ahead.”

Still very much a greenhorn, Ahmadzai made his professional T20 debut only a year back, and has played only 11 professional T20s to date. He registered figures of 1/31 on T20I debut against UAE in Sharjah, claiming the wicket of UAE captain Muhammad Waseem. 

Afghanistan, who beat Hong Kong in their first match of Asia Cup 2025, next take on Bangladesh on September 16 (Tuesday).