Aakash Chopra Leaks Afghanistan’s Probable Strategy For Champions Trophy 2025

India’s former opening batter, Aakash Chopra, has tremendous faith and belief in Afghanistan to do well in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to begin on February 19. He reckoned that Hashmatullah Shahidi and company could reach the semifinals thanks to their powerful spin bowling unit.

They stunned the entire world when they made their qualification into the semifinal during the 2026 T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA). Their batters impressed at the top while the bowlers picked up crucial wickets.

Aakash Chopra optimistic about Afghanistan’s semifinal chances

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, the former Indian batter, Aakash Chopra, expressed that he is hopeful about the subcontinent side’s chances of reaching the semifinal of the tournament.

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“Their strategy is very simple. They will bowl 40 overs of spin. No matter how flat a pitch you make, they will do the job considering the quality of spin they have. If you survive against Rashid Khan, you will get stuck against Noor Ahmad. If you survive against Noor, Allah Ghazanfar will catch you, and if you survive there, Mohammad Nabi's experience will come in handy.” Aakash Chopra expressed this in the YouTube video.

They will start their campaign against South Africa at the National Stadium in Karachi on February 21, before they lock horns with England at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Two days later, they will take on Australia at the same venue.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz was their leading run-getter in ODIs in 2024. He drilled 531 runs in 11 innings at an average of 48.27 and a strike rate of 89.69, with the help of three centuries and two half-centuries at the best score of 121.

“They will want 270 to 280-run matches. They won't want 325 to 350-run pitches. Their range will be between 250 and 290, where their batting will do the job, and they won't let you reach there. They have a good chance of making it to the semis. There is a strong possibility.” Aakash Chopra highlighted this in the same video.

He also pointed out that Afghanistan, unlike many other teams, is heading into the eight-team tournament on the back of playing a lot of 50-over clashes. Chopra also added that they could be the giant killers in their ‘B Group’ if the conditions and surfaces of Pakistan suit them.

Aakash Chopra keeps four spinners in Afghanistan’s playing eleven

Chopra picked the best possible playing eleven for the Shahidi-led side in the Champions Trophy, keeping Ibrahim Zadran and Gurbaz as the two openers. Zadran was their leading run-getter in the 2023 ODI World Cup with 376 runs in nine innings at an average of 47.

“What could be their probable playing XI? Ibrahim Zadran (can come) with Rahmanullah Gurbaz; both are quality players. Ibrahim Zadran plays very well technically, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz's last year was very good. After that, you will see either Rahmat Shah or Sediqullah Atal.” Aakash Chopra added.

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The Uttar Pradesh-born goes with Fazalhaq Farooqi as the only specialist seamer in the playing eleven.

“Then Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, and you will have batting till Gulbadin Naib. After that, Rashid Khan. They might play Allah Ghazanfar and then Noor Ahmad and Fazalhaq Farooqi. The team is looking good to me.” Aakash Chopra observed.

Aakash Chopra’s Probable Playing XI For Champions Trophy 2025

Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmat Shah/Sediqullah Atal, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Allah Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmed, Fazalhaq Farooqi.