Asia Cup 2025: Afghanistan bowler Naveen-ul Haq ruled out with shoulder injury

Naveen-ul Haq, Afghanistan’s ace bowler, has been ruled out for the remainder of the Asia Cup 2025 due to a shoulder injury. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed that Naveen was not approved by the medical team to compete in the competition and would instead continue his recovery.

Notably, Naveen-ul Haq did not play in Afghanistan’s first match of the tournament against Hong Kong.

He also missed the Pakistan-UAE tri-series earlier this month, with his most recent appearance coming in June for MI New York in the Major League Cricket (MLC). The pacer has been battling with a shoulder ailment since then, thus the ACB opted not to risk his participation.

🚨 SQUAD UPDATE 🚨

Afghanistan’s veteran fast bowler, Naveen Ul Haq, has been ruled out of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025. He 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… pic.twitter.com/Sz4rJyV6k5

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) September 15, 2025

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Since making his debut, Naveen has become one of Afghanistan’s most reliable T20 bowlers. In 48 T20Is, he has picked 67 wickets at an average of 18.73, with best figures of 4/20. His contributions were crucial in Afghanistan’s run to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup in 2024, where he finished with 13 wickets, including a match-winning burst against Australia. The pacer has also become a big name in franchise cricket, playing in leagues like the IPL, CPL, BPL, and LPL.

Replacing him in the squad is young fast bowler Abdullah Ahmadzai, who was part of the reserves. Ahmadzai recently made his international debut against the UAE, where he picked up one wicket in his three-over spell. Meanwhile, Afghanistan has begun its Asia Cup campaign on a high note.

They registered a dominant 94-run victory over Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi, with half-centuries from Sediqullah Atal and Azmatullah Omarzai. Rashid Khan-led team will next face Bangladesh on September 16 at the Dubai International Stadium. For Bangladesh, it will be a must-win encounter to keep their Super Four hopes alive.