IPL 2025: Allah Ghazanfar lands Mumbai Indians in serious trouble, Afghanistan sweat before Champions Trophy

Afghanistan mystery spinner Allah Ghazanfar, who has made an impressive start to his ODI career, has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and IPL 2025 due to injury. 20-year-old left-arm spinner Nangyal Kharoti, who was a reserve player, has been called up to replace Ghazanfar in the 15-man squad.

Allah Ghazanfar sustained a back fracture during the Zimbabwe tour. He took nine wickets in the three-match ODI series and went on to make his Test debut in the one-off match in Bulawayo. After the Zimbabwe series, Allah Ghazanfar played three games for MI Emirates in the International League T20 (ILT20).

Allah Ghazanfar Ruled Out of ICC Champions Trophy Due to Injury

On Wednesday morning, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed that Allah Ghazanfar has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy due to injury. The ACB’s statement revealed that Allah Ghazanfar will be sidelined for at least four months and will remain under treatment throughout his recovery period.

“AM Ghazanfar, has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy due to a fracture in the L4 vertebra, specifically in the left pars interarticularis. He sustained the injury during Afghanistan’s recently held tour of Zimbabwe, and will be sidelined for a minimum of four months and will remain under treatment during this period,” the ACB's statement read.

Ghazanfar will also miss the Indian Premier League 2025, scheduled from March 21 to May 25. The young spinner secured his maiden IPL contract with Mumbai Indians for ₹4.80 crore during the 2025 mega auction. The five-time IPL champions bought him following a bidding war with Kolkata Knight Riders.

The 18-year-old mystery spinner, who has taken 21 wickets in 11 ODIs and 30 wickets in 19 T20 matches, was expected to be a key player for the Hardik Pandya-led side. Ghazanfar managed only one wicket in three matches for MI Emirates in the ILT20 League 2025, with a disappointing economy rate of 9.48.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman Continues to Miss ODI Action - Afghanistan Cricket Board

The Afghanistan Cricket Board stated that Mujeeb Ur Rahman will remain unavailable for ODIs until he completes his recovery.

"Nangyal Kharoti, who was part of the reserves pool, has been promoted to the main squad for the Champions Trophy. Additionally, Mujeeb Ur Rahman's continues to miss the ODI action, until he has fully recovered," the statement added.

Nangyal Kharoti made his international debut during the white-ball series against Ireland in March 2024. The left-arm spinner has taken 11 wickets in ODIs and five wickets in T20Is.

Afghanistan Set to Kick Off Champions Trophy Campaign on February 21

Afghanistan are placed in Group B of the Champions Trophy, along with Australia, South Africa, and England. The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led Afghanistan team will kick off their campaign against South Africa on February 21 at the National Stadium in Karachi.

Afghanistan squad for Champions Trophy 2025: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, Naveed Zadran.

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