Afghan team jersey for Champions Trophy unveiled

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) unveiled the official team jersey for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Thursday.

The prestigious tournament is set to take place next month across Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

A video shared on ACB’s social media platforms showcased Afghanistan’s stunning mountainous regions before revealing the new team jersey.

"Inspired by our rich cultural heritage, the jersey design beautifully blends the elegance of Naskh calligraphy with the geometric patterns of the historic Jam Minaret in Ghor province," the ACB stated.

The Jam Minaret, nearly 800 years old, stands in the historic city of Ferozkoh, along the banks of the Harirod River. With a height of 65 metres and a diametre of 9 metres, it serves as a testament to Afghanistan’s cultural legacy.

The ACB added, "As the Afghan Atalan take the field, they will wear the spirit of unity, the determination of our nation, and the elegance of Jam. They will create history and keep Afghanistan’s name shining on the global stage."

Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi and his teammates were seen wearing the New Jersey as they prepare to lead Afghanistan’s campaign in the tournament.

The Champions Trophy will feature eight teams competing across three venues in Pakistan - Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi - and in Dubai. The tournament will run from February 19 to March 9.

The teams are divided into two groups. Group A consists of Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B includes Afghanistan, South Africa, England, and Australia.

The tournament will kick off with hosts Pakistan facing New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi. The highly anticipated Pakistan vs. India match is scheduled for February 23 in Dubai.

Afghanistan’s team

Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmat Shah (VC), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Naveed Zadran and Farid Ahmad Malik.

Darwish Rasooli, Nangyal Kharoti and Bilal Sami are part of the reserve pool for the event.

sa/mud