AM Ghazanfar Replace By Nangeyalia Kharote Due To Injury

Afghanistan’s promising young spinner AM Ghazanfar has been diagnosed with a serious back injury and has been ruled out of the 2025 Champions Trophy. The right-arm finger spinner, aged 18, had an exciting start to his ODI career, which unfortunately would cause him to miss the 2023 IPL season. The Afghanistan Cricket Board has named fellow spinner Nangeyalia Kharote in place of AM Ghazanfar in the main squad for the prestigious tournament.

AM Ghazanfar’s injury and its effects

Ghazanfar showed promise in the ODI format, but he cut his Uganda tour short after sustaining a “fracture in the L4 vertebra.” He has since neither played further matches nor joined the team; the ACB has confirmed that he will not be fit for active play for at least four months, as he has to undergo treatment. The injury further denies him a place at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, in which Ghazanfar had been an important part of the Afghanistan bowling lineup in the recent ODI series.

This injury further robs Ghazanfar of playing time in the IPL 2023, scheduled for March 21 to May 25. Ghazanfar had just been signed up for the IPL by Mumbai Indians, so this absence would hit the franchise hard. In the UAE ILT20 league, where he played for MI Emirates in January, Ghazanfar had a relatively disappointing season, managing only one wicket in 7.1 overs in three appearances. His economy rate of 9.48 showed how hard it was for him during that tournament.

Kharote Comes In For The Injured Ghazanfar

Nangeyalia Kharote has been named as a replacement for the injured Ghazanfar in the squad for the Champions Trophy by the Afghanistan Cricket Board. Twenty-year-old Kharote has represented Afghanistan at the international level, but last played for the side in the ODI series against Bangladesh in Sharjah in November 2024. He had put on a superb show in that series, picking up 3 wickets for 28 runs to help Afghanistan to victory in the second match.

Kharote has played seven ODIs and six T20Is since making his debut in March 2024 and is considered one of Afghanistan’s top prospects for a spinner. Becoming a part of the main squad is a big opportunity for Kharote to express himself on the big platform, especially with Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Noor Ahmad being Afghanistan’s trump cards.

Afghanistan’s Spin Department

Despite Ghazanfar being out of action, Afghanistan is stacked with a whopping number of spin bowlers comprising some of the world’s phenomenal talents. Arguably the best cricketing person in Afghanistan there is- Rashid Khan-is a keystone in the bowling attack of the team. Along with him brings variety and depth to Afghanistan’s spin department left-arm wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad and an experienced all-rounder Mohammad Nabi.

Yet, one of the central engines of Afghanistan’s spin attack is still absent from the side, Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Mujeeb played the entire SA20 season with Paarl Royals in South Africa, and he has not donned Afghanistan colors since the tour of Zimbabwe, nor has he been named in the original Champions Trophy squad. ACB has confirmed that he will not be available until full recovery.

Afghanistan’s squad for the Champions Trophy 2025

With Ghazanfar and Mujeeb Ur Rahman absent, the squad for Afghanistan still boasts experienced men and rising stars in the Champions Trophy 2025. They are:

Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain)
Ibrahim Zadran
Ikram Alikhil (wicketkeeper)
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper)
Sediqullah Atal
Rahmat Shah (vice-captain)
Azmatullah Omarzai
Gulbadin Naib
Mohammad Nabi
Rashid Khan
Fareeh Ahmad
Fazalhaq Farooqi
Nangeyalia Kharote, a replacement for Ghazanfar.
Naveed Zadran
Noor Ahmad

Though challenges will abound owing to the absence of some key players due to injuries, Afghanistan will be looking to make their mark at the Champions Trophy.

The injury of Ghazanfar is undoubtedly a big loss to Afghanistan after he has continued to shine in his newly initiated ODI career. Nevertheless, Afghanistan is making up for this absence by including Nangeyalia Kharote, ensuring their spin department remains robust, and with this, they are still made up of a strong squad for the Champions Trophy.

While Ghazanfar is missing both the Champions Trophy and the IPL, Afghanistan will be keeping their fingers crossed that their other spinners will fill in the void and ascend to the global podium for success.

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