Afghan Cricket Board announces easy ticket access for nationals in Pakistan

As excitement builds for the Champions Trophy 2025, the Afghan Cricket Board has issued a special message for Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan.

In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the board announced that Afghan nationals can purchase match tickets at designated centers by presenting valid residential documents. Those with a passport and visa can also book tickets online via the provided link.

According to a report, Pakistan is currently hosting approximately 2.9 million Afghan refugees, including 1.4 million registered individuals and 0.7 million unregistered.

The highly anticipated tournament, which marks Pakistan’s first time hosting the event in three decades, kicks off with the opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand on February 19. For Afghanistan, this will be their debut in the Champions Trophy, and the team is eager to start strong.

Dubbed as the “dark horses,” Afghanistan will play New Zealand in a warm-up match on February 16, followed by their opening fixture against South Africa on February 21 in Karachi.

Placed in Group B, Afghanistan will face 2019 World Cup winners England on February 26 and the reigning World Champions, Australia, on February 28 in Lahore.

Afghanistan’s recent performances in white-ball cricket have been impressive, finishing sixth in the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup and reaching the semi-finals of the 2023 T20 World Cup.

Notably, they defeated England and Pakistan in the ODI World Cup, as well as Australia and New Zealand in the T20 World Cup.

Afghanistan’s Squad for the Champions Trophy 2025:

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