Cricket can be cruel sometimes. One moment you’re preparing for a major tournament, and the next, an injury takes it all away. Afghanistan’s young spin sensation, AM Ghazanfar, is the latest victim of this harsh reality.
The 18-year-old spinner has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to a fracture in the L4 vertebra. The injury, which he sustained during Afghanistan’s tour of Zimbabwe, will keep him out of action for at least four months.
That means he’s not only missing the Champions Trophy but also the IPL 2025, where he had just secured a maiden contract with Mumbai Indians.
Tough luck for the youngster, but the show must go on.
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Enter Nangyal Kharote
With AM Ghazanfar out, Nangyal Kharote has been promoted from the reserves to Afghanistan’s main squad. The 20-year-old left-arm spinner hasn’t played for Afghanistan since their ODI series against Bangladesh in November 2024.
However, he made quite an impact in that series, especially in the second game, where he picked up 3 for 28 to help Afghanistan secure a win.
Kharote might not have a long international career yet, but his seven ODIs and six T20Is have shown glimpses of his potential. And now, he has a golden opportunity to prove himself on the big stage.
Afghanistan’s spin department is already facing a setback with Mujeeb Ur Rahman still out due to an ongoing injury. With both Mujeeb and Ghazanfar missing, Afghanistan’s bowling attack will lean heavily on Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and now, Kharote.
Afghanistan squad for Champions Trophy 2025
Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah (vc), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharote, Noor Ahmad, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Naveed Zadran and Farid Ahmad Malik.
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