The 18-year-old spinner has been unfortunate to be out of the prestigious event, as he suffered a spinal injury on February 12, Wednesday. The bowler caused quite a stir with his spectacular performance on the field with the Afghanistan team, claiming 21 wickets from 11 ODIs till date played so far.
The Afghanistan cricket board confirmed the news via X on Wednesday morning.
“Afghanistan’s young spin-bowling sensation, AM Ghazanfar, has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy due to a fracture of the L4 vertebra, especially in the left pars interarticularis. He injured himself on Afghanistan’s tour of Zimbabwe. He will need to rest for at least four months under constant medical supervision. Nangyal Kharoti has now been given an opportunity to play in the main squad of the Champions Trophy from the reserve pool. Mujeeb Ur Rahman, meanwhile, continues in his absence from ODI refreshments until he is fit.”
🚨 INJURY UPDATE 🚨
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) February 12, 2025
Afghanistan's young spin-bowling sensation, 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… pic.twitter.com/g0ALWe7HVe
An injury which he suffered during the recent tour of Zimbabwe forced Ghazanfar, who recently made his debut with the ODI team, to miss out for at least four months.
His long absence from the field means that he will also be absent from the IPL 2025. The Indian Premier League 2025 mega auction has made their play alongside the Mumbai-based franchises available to Ghazanfar for Rs 4.80 crores.
Afghanistan is scheduled to kick off its ICC Champions Trophy campaign against South Africa on February 21 at the National Stadium, Karachi. It will take on England in the second Group B match at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on February 26, followed by the final group match against Australia on February 28 at the same venue.
Afghanistan’s updated squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025:
Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, Naveed Zadran.
Reserves: Darwish Rasooli, Bilal Sami
