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Afghanistan national cricket team

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This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Afghanistan women's national cricket team.

Afghanistan
Nickname(s)Afghan Atalans
AssociationAfghanistan Cricket Board
Personnel
Test captainHashmatullah Shahidi
T20I captainRashid Khan[1][2]
CoachJonathan Trott
Batting coachAndrew Puttick
Bowling coachHamid Hassan
Fielding coachShane McDermott
History
Test status acquired2017
International Cricket Council
ICC statusAffiliate Member (2001)
Associate Member (2013)
Full Member (2017)
ICC regionAsia
ICC Rankings Current[7] Best-ever
Test 12th 9th (1 May 2020)[3]
ODI 8th 8th (9 July 2023)[4][5]
T20I 10th 7th (5 May 2019)[6]
Tests
First Testv.  India at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore, India 14–18 June 2018
Last Testv.  Ireland at Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi; 28 February – 1 March 2024
Tests Played Won/Lost
Total[8] 9 3/6
(0 draws)
This year[9] 2 0/2 (0 draws)
One Day Internationals
First ODIv.  Scotland at Willowmoore Park, Benoni; 19 April 2009
Last ODIv.  Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club, Harare; 17 December 2024
ODIs Played Won/Lost
Total[10] 173 83/84
(1 ties, 5 no results)
This year[11] 12 6/5
(0 ties, 1 no result)
World Cup appearances3 (first in 2015)
Best result6th place (2023)
World Cup Qualifier appearances2 (first in 2009)
Best resultChampions (2018)
Twenty20 Internationals
First T20Iv.  Ireland at P. Sara, Colombo; 1 February 2010
Last T20Iv.  Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club, Harare; 14 December 2024
T20Is Played Won/Lost
Total[12] 141 86/52
(2 ties, 1 no result)
This year[13] 21 11/9
(1 ties, 0 no results)
T20 World Cup appearances7 (first in 2010)
Best resultSemi-finals (2024)
T20 World Cup Qualifier appearances4 (first in 2010)
Best resultChampions (2010)

Test kit

ODI kit

T20I kit

As of 17 December 2024

The Afghanistan men's national cricket team (Pashto: د افغانستان کرکټ ملي لوب‌‌‌‌‌‌ډله, Persian: تیم ملی کریکت افغانستان) represents Afghanistan in men's international cricket. It is a full Member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) with Test, One-Day International (ODI) and T20 International (T20I) status.[14]

Cricket has been played in Afghanistan since the mid-19th century, but it was only in the early 21st century that the national team began to enjoy success. The Afghanistan Cricket Board was formed in 1995, becoming an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2001[15] and a member of the cricket confederation, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in 2003.[16] After nearly a decade of playing international cricket, on 22 June 2017 full ICC membership (and therefore Test status) was granted to Afghanistan. Alongside Ireland, this took the number of Test cricket playing nations to twelve.[17][18] In view of the persistent conflict and insecurity in Afghanistan, following this status, the team moved to a new home ground in Dehradun, in India.[19][20] The current home ground of the Afghanistan Men's Cricket team is the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the UAE.

Afghanistan cricket has become a symbol of hope and resilience for many. The sport has not only provided entertainment but has also united a nation that has faced numerous challenges. The Afghanistan team has made significant strides on the international stage, showcasing the talent and determination of its players.

Following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, the team is allowed to continue to compete.

The team is ranked 10th in Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket as of February 2023,[21] and holds the world record for the 2nd highest ever T20I score, with their score of 278/3 against Ireland at Dehradun on 23 February 2019.

History

[edit]

Pre-ODI history

[edit]

Cricket in Afghanistan was popularised by Afghan expatriates who learnt the sport while living in Pakistan in the 1980s and 1990s, during the post-Soviet invasion era.[22][23] Most members of the early Afghanistan national cricket team grew up in Pakistan and participated in the country's domestic cricket structure, making use of cricket facilities in Peshawar with the support of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).[24][23] It was during this time that the Afghanistan Cricket Federation (now ACB) was also founded, in 1995.[25] Like all sports, cricket was initially banned by the Taliban, but cricket became an exception in 2000 (being the only sport in Afghanistan to be approved by the Taliban). The ACF received recognition from the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2001.[25]

Afghanistan fielded their cricket team in Pakistan's domestic setup for the first time in the 2001–02 season, participating in the second division of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy where they drew two and lost three of their five games.[26][27] They returned for the Cornelius Trophy in the 2002–03 season, drawing one and losing three matches.[28] In the 2003–04 season, they made an appearance in the PCB's inter-district tournament in Peshawar, where they registered their lone victory against Swabi, drew twice and lost two matches.[27][29]

They began playing in Asian regional tournaments in 2004, finishing sixth in their first ACC Trophy. More success began in 2006 when they were runners-up to Bahrain in the Middle East Cup and beat an MCC side featuring former England captain Mike Gatting by 171 runs in Mumbai. Gatting was dismissed for a duck.[30]

They toured England in the summer of 2006, winning six out of seven matches. Three of their wins came against the second XIs of Essex, Glamorgan and Leicestershire.[16] They finished third in the ACC Trophy that year, beating Nepal in a play-off match.[30]

They won their first tournament in 2007, sharing the ACC Twenty20 Cup with Oman after the two tied in the final.[30] They began their qualifying campaign for the 2011 World Cup in Jersey in 2008, winning Division Five of the World Cricket League.[31] They finished third in the ACC Trophy Elite tournament the same year,[16] and won a second consecutive WCL tournament, Division Four in Tanzania later in the year.[16]

The Afghanistan national team was coached by former Pakistani cricketers Kabir Khan and Rashid Latif in its initial years.[22][24] During this period, a number of Afghan international cricketers made appearances for Pakistani domestic outfits in the first-class circuit.[23][32][33]

In January 2009, Afghanistan progressed to the 2009 World Cup Qualifier by winning Division Three of the World Cricket League in Buenos Aires, topping the table on net run rate ahead of Uganda and Papua New Guinea.[34]

In 2010, Afghanistan competed at the Asian Games, a non-ICC T20 event hosted by China, where they defeated a second-string Pakistan side by 22 runs in the semi-finals in what was considered an upset.[35] In May 2011, the Afghan side embarked on a tour of Pakistan to partake in a three-match limited overs series against Pakistan A, where they were whitewashed by the home side 3–0.[36][32] They followed this up with another tour in September to participate in Pakistan's domestic National T20 Cup in Karachi as the Afghan Cheetahs, but had another poor outing, losing all three of their matches.[37]

ODI status

[edit]
The national team at Rotterdam, 2010 ICC WCL Division One

In the 2011 Cricket World Cup qualifying tournament, Afghanistan failed to progress to the World Cup, but earned ODI status for four years.[16] Their first ODI was against Scotland in the 5th place playoff, having previously beaten the Scots earlier in the tournament; Afghanistan won by 89 runs.[38] Afghanistan became the only affiliate member to have ODI status.

In the Intercontinental Cup Afghanistan played its first first-class match against a Zimbabwe XI in a four-day match in Mutare. During the match, which was drawn, Afghan batsman Noor Ali scored centuries in both his innings, making him only the fourth player to do so on their first-class debut. Later, in August 2009, they played the Netherlands in the same competition at the VRA Cricket Ground, winning a low-scoring match by one wicket.[39]

Afghanistan then took part in the 2009 ACC Twenty20 Cup in the United Arab Emirates. Afghanistan were drawn in Group A, a group which Afghanistan topped at the end of the group stages by winning all five of their matches. In the semi-finals the Afghans defeated Kuwait by 8 wickets.[40] In the final they met the hosts, the United Arab Emirates, whom they defeated by 84 runs.[41]

On 1 February 2010, Afghanistan played their first Twenty20 International against Ireland,[42] which they lost by 5 wickets.[43] On 13 February 2010, Afghanistan defeated the United Arab Emirates by 4 wickets to make their way to the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 to be in the West Indies in April 2010. Later the same day they defeated Ireland by 8 wickets in the Final of 2010 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier to win the qualifier.[44] Afghanistan were in Group C of the main tournament, with India and South Africa. During their first match against India, opening batsman Noor Ali hit 50 runs, helping Afghanistan to a score of 115 in their 20 overs. Despite this they lost the match by 8 wickets.[45] In their second match, the team were reduced to 14/6 at one stage, before a late rally from Mirwais Ashraf and Hamid Hassan helped Afghanistan post 88 all out, resulting in a loss by 59 runs.[46]

The team's Intercontinental Cup campaign continued in 2010, with wins over Ireland, Canada, Scotland and Kenya before they beat Scotland by 7 wickets in the final in Dubai.[47] Also in 2010, they won the ACC Trophy Elite tournament in Kuwait, beating Nepal in the final[48] and finished third in Division One of the World Cricket League in the Netherlands.[49] They took part in the cricket tournament at the 2010 Asian Games in China and won the silver medal, losing to Bangladesh in the final.[50]

In 2011, Afghanistan begun the 2011-13 ICC World Cricket League Championship. They beat Canada and drew with the UAE.[51] In the parallel one-day league, they won two matches against Canada and lost twice to the UAE.[52] In December once again took part in the ACC Twenty20 Cup, this time in Nepal. They went on to win all of their matches to once again take the Cup.

On 10 February 2012, Afghanistan played a one-off One Day International (ODI) match against Pakistan at Sharjah, the first ever official game between the two sides and also the first ever ODI between an Affiliate and a Test-playing nation.[53] Billed as a historic occasion for Afghan cricket, the game was won comfortably by Pakistan by seven wickets with 13 overs to spare.[54][55] They also took on the Australia Cricket Team in an Only ODI at Sharjah in August 2012. They fell short in both matches, but their performance showed they were continuing to make progress. Their 2012 ICC International Cup games were also challenging, resulting in a split with the Netherlands and a loss to Ireland.

2013 brought greater success for Afghanistan. In March, they played two T20 Internationals against Scotland in UAE and prevailed in both matches. They also won two ODIs in the World Cricket League Championship against the same opponents.

In the WCL Championship table, as 2013 dawned Afghanistan was level with Scotland in third, trailing Ireland and the Netherlands for the two automatic qualification spots for the 2015 World Cup. However, two convincing wins in spring over Scotland boosted hopes some. Then in July the Netherlands failed to take any points against Ireland, leaving Afghanistan in position to qualify if they could win their final four matches, against poorer performing Namibia and Kenya. Despite the United Arab Emirates and the Netherlands both being able to win their remaining games, keeping the pressure on Afghanistan, Afghanistan handled Namibia, then defeated Kenya by 8 wickets on 2 October. With one final win over Kenya on 4 October by 7 wickets, Afghanistan secured second in the Championship with 19 points, and qualified for World Cup.[56]

Afghanistan also crushed Scotland in their one-day ICC Intercontinental Cup league in March in Abu Dhabi: Afghanistan (275: Shah 67*, Davey 4–53) beat Scotland (125: Taylor 48*, Dawlatzai 6–57 and 145: Coetzer 57, Dawlatzai 5–37) by an innings and 5 runs. Izatullah Dawlatzai took eleven wickets.[57]

In July 2014 Afghanistan toured Zimbabwe to play its 1st full series against a full member. The 4 match ODI series finished 2–2 and the 2 match first class series finished 1–1.

With their victory over Zimbabwe on 25 December 2015, Afghanistan entered the top 10 of the ICC's ODI rankings for the first time.[58]

Associate Membership

[edit]

Afghanistan had become an Affiliate member of the ICC in 2001. Then in 2009 it had attained one-day status until 2015.

In 2012, the Asian Cricket Council decided to nominate Afghanistan for Associate membership with the ICC, with the request being looked into at the ICC's annual conference in June. Becoming an Associate would mean higher funding (the ICC had been paying $700,000 in annual funding to Afghanistan's organization, suggested to rise to $850,000 for Associate status), and also importantly would mean more exposure for the passionate and cricket-starved players from war-torn Afghanistan.[59][60]

In March 2013, Afghanistan received a further support boost when a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the development of Afghanistan cricket ahead of the 2015 World Cup.

The PCB provided technical and professional support, including game-education programmes, coaching courses, skill and performance analysis, and basic umpiring and curator courses. High performance camps for emerging players were also organised. The PCB-regulated National Cricket Academy (NCA) helped in improving technical, tactical, mental and physical skills, and hosted lectures on doping, anti-corruption and various codes of conduct.[61]

In April 2013, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) was also allocated US$422,000 (22,400,000 AFN approx.) from the ICC's targeted assistance and performance programme. The world governing body of cricket approved the grant at its IDI (ICC Development International) board meeting, which concluded in Dubai. The money, to be given over three years, was aimed at developing more competitive teams among ICC Full, Associate and Affiliate members. Previous countries to receive similar funding programmes included the Netherlands, Scotland, the West Indies, Zimbabwe and Ireland. An ICC statement suggested the funding was targeted towards the development of the National Cricket Academy in Kabul.

On 26 June 2013 at the ICC's annual meeting in London, England, Afghanistan received its Associate Membership[62] with the statement:

"Afghanistan is the only country that receives the Associate Membership in a short period of time in reward to the efforts Afghanistan made for the promotion of cricket," (Dr Noor Muhammad, CEO of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), on the ACC website)

2015 Cricket World Cup

[edit]
Main article: Afghanistan at the Cricket World Cup

Qualification for the tournament was a historic feat for cricket in Afghanistan, one amplified by the fact that the team included many players who picked up the game in refugee camps outside their war-torn country.[63]

Afghanistan made their World Cup debut in the 2015 Cricket World Cup which their first game was against Bangladesh at the Manuka Oval in Canberra, Australia. The match resulted in a 105 run defeat.[64] On 26 February 2015, Afghanistan won their first World Cup match against Scotland, winning by one wicket. The team however, lost all its remaining games and were knocked out of the tournament in the opening round.

2019 Cricket World Cup

[edit]

The 2019 Cricket World Cup was the second Cricket World Cup in which Afghanistan participated in. Thus, it was Afghanistan's first consecutive World Cup appearance (2015–2019). This World Cup was in a "round robin" format where Afghanistan faced all the other teams but did not manage to claim victory against any national team in the tournament for the first time in their short history in the World Cup tournament.[65]

2023 Cricket World Cup

[edit]

In the 2023 Cricket World Cup, Afghanistan secured a victory by 69 runs against the defending champions, England, in their third match of the World Cup on 15 October 2023. This was the first time Afghanistan defeated England and the first time Afghanistan defeated the defending Cricket World Cup champions.[66] This was backed up by a first ever victory over Pakistan in ODI cricket.[67] They also defeated Sri Lanka for the first time in the Cricket World Cup by 7 wickets on 30 October 2023. This was also the first time in a Cricket World Cup that Afghanistan had won two matches consecutively. In the following match, they defeated Netherlands for the first time in the Cricket World Cup. This was the first time Afghanistan achieved three consecutive victories in the Cricket World Cup.

Post-World Cup tours

[edit]

The team visited Zimbabwe for the second time in October where Afghanistan clinched a historic one-day international series over Zimbabwe after a 73-run victory in Bulawayo saw them win 3–2.

Doing so, they became the first non-Test-playing country to win a multi-game bilateral ODI series against a Test side. The Afghanistan cricket team toured the United Arab Emirates to play the United Arab Emirates cricket team in December 2016. The tour consisted of three Twenty20 International (T20I) matches. Afghanistan won the series 3–0. The Afghanistan cricket team toured Bangladesh in September and October 2016 to play three One Day Internationals (ODIs) matches. This was Afghanistan's first full series against a Test-playing side other than Zimbabwe and was the first bilateral series between the two sides.

Ahead of the ODI series there was a fifty-over warm-up game between the Bangladesh Cricket Board XI and Afghanistan in Fatullah. Afghanistan won the warm-up match by 66 runs and Bangladesh won the ODI series 2–1.

In February 2017 the International Cricket Council (ICC) awarded first-class status to Afghanistan's four-day domestic competition.[68]

The Afghan cricket team toured Zimbabwe between January and February 2017. The tour consisted of five One Day International (ODI) matches. Prior to the ODI series, the Afghanistan A cricket team played five "unofficial" ODI matches against the Zimbabwe A cricket team. All of those matches had been designated List A status. Afghanistan won the initial List A series 4–1 and the ODI series 3–2. 2017

The Ireland cricket team toured India during March 2017 to participate in a series of matches against Afghanistan, consisting of three T20 matches, five ODI contests and an ICC Intercontinental Cup match.[69] All the matches took place in Greater Noida. The Afghan team were highly successful, emerging victorious in both the T20I series 3–0 and the ODI series 3–2. Afghanistan also won the ICC Intercontinental Cup match, by the margin of an innings and 172 runs.

The Afghanistan cricket team completed another tour in June 2017, this time facing the West Indies.[70] The tour marked Afghanistan's first bilateral tour against a full member nation other than Zimbabwe. (Later that month, Afghanistan itself was awarded that status.) The tour was less successful for the Afghans, who were convincingly defeated 3–0 in the T20 series.[71] They performed better in the ODI series, seizing a 1–1 draw after the final match was washed out with no result. Afghanistan registered their first win against Sri Lanka in Asia Cup.

Towards Test status

[edit]

Afghanistan qualified for 2012 ICC World Twenty20 held in Sri Lanka as the runner up of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier and joined India and England in the group stage. In the first match against India on 19 September, Afghanistan won the toss and elected to field. India posted 159/5 in 20 overs but Afghanistan fell short of that target by scoring 136 in 19.3 overs. In the second match against England on 21 September, Afghanistan won the toss and again elected to field. England set a target of 196/5 (20 overs) but Afghanistan were all out for 80 in 17.2 overs. England and India qualified for the Super Eights and Afghanistan were eliminated as a result of this match.

On 3 October 2013, Afghanistan beat Kenya to finish second in the WCL Championship and qualify for the 2015 Cricket World Cup, becoming the 20th team to gain entry into the tournament overall. Afghanistan secured their passage to Australia and New Zealand in 2015 by beating Kenya comprehensively for the second time in succession in Sharjah, sealing their maiden World Cup qualification. They finished second in the World Cricket League Championship — nine wins in 14 matches — and joined Ireland as the second Associate team in the 2015 World Cup, while the remaining two spots for Associates will be decided by a qualifying tournament in New Zealand in 2014. Afghanistan will join Pool A at the World Cup along with Australia, Bangladesh, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and another qualifier.[72] On 24 November 2013, Afghanistan beat Kenya to qualify for the 2014 T20 world cup.

In March 2014, Afghanistan beat Hong Kong in the 2014 ICC World Twenty20 but could not make it to the next stage of super 10 having lost the two matches to Bangladesh and Nepal.

On 25 February 2015, Afghanistan won their first Cricket World Cup match beating Scotland by one wicket. Afghanistan participated in the World Twenty20 2016 in India. They were unable to qualify for the Semi-Finals of the International Tournament. They defeated the eventual champions, West Indies, during their final group match of the tournament.

Their third match was against the full member test team Zimbabwe. They played exceptionally well beating Zimbabwe by 59 runs. Afghanistan qualified for the Super 10 stage of the tournament as a result of this match, while Zimbabwe were eliminated. Afghanistan progressed to the second phase of a World Twenty20 tournament for the first time. On 25 June 2016, Lalchand Rajput was named as head coach of Afghanistan Cricket Team replacing Pakistan's Inzamam ul Haq with his first outings with the team being a tour of Scotland, Ireland and the Netherlands in July and August of that year. He was chosen ahead of Mohammad Yousuf, Herschelle Gibbs and Corey Collymore[73] Rajput is in line for a two-year contract, but that decision would be finalised after the upcoming tour of Europe.

In July 2016, ACB unveiled a strategic plan and set targets for Afghanistan cricket team to be a top-six ODI team by 2019 and a top-three team in both T20Is and ODIs by 2025.[74] In order to achieve this, ACB created a proposal to be presented to BCCI, to secure annual bilateral matches against India and teams touring India beginning the following year.[75] Shafiq Stanikzai, Chief Executive of ACB, said the draft had been presented to BCCI president Anurag Thakur in May and further discussions occurred during the ICC Annual Conference in Edinburgh in June 2016.

On 25 July 2016, Afghanistan confirmed its first full series against West Indies a top-8 ranked Full member.[76] Its earlier full series came against a permanent member of ICC was against Zimbabwe. Afghanistan toured the Caribbean islands in mid-June 2017 and played 5 ODIs and 3 T20Is.

On the same day, it was announced that Afghanistan would host a full series against Ireland at Greater Noida.[77] Besides a 4-day intercontinental cup match, Ireland and Afghanistan would play five ODIs and three T20Is in March 2017. Afghanistan won the T20I series 3-0 and in the process set a new T20I record of 11 consecutive victories.

On 22 June 2017, the International Cricket Council (ICC) awarded Afghanistan full Test status, along with Ireland.[78] In December 2017, the ICC confirmed that Afghanistan were scheduled to play their first Test against India, in late 2018.[79] According to the ICC Future Tours Programme for 2019–23, Afghanistan are scheduled to play thirteen Tests.[80] In January 2018, both the ACB and the BCCI confirmed the Test would be played in June in Bengaluru.[81][82]

In June 2018, Afghanistan lost their maiden Test match to hosts India by an innings and 262 runs, despite being able to bowl out a strong Indian team in the first innings.

Rise as a Test team

[edit]

In March 2019 against Ireland, Afghanistan achieved their first Test match victory in their only second Test match, becoming the fourth team after Australia, England and Pakistan to win one of their first two Tests.[83][84]

In September 2019, Afghanistan beat hosts Bangladesh by 224 runs in a one-off Test tour. Rain almost resulted in the match being drawn, but finally the weather cleared, allowing the spin-unit of Afghanistan to take the final four wickets.

5 – 9 September 2019
Scorecard
v
342 (117 overs)
Rahmat Shah 102 (187)
Taijul Islam 4/116 (41 overs)
205 (70.5 overs)
Mominul Haque 52 (71)
Rashid Khan 5/55 (19.1 overs)
260 (90.1 overs)
Ibrahim Zadran 87 (208)
Shakib Al Hasan 3/58 (19 overs)
173 (61.4 overs)
Shakib Al Hasan 44 (54)
Rashid Khan 6/49 (21.4 overs)
Afghanistan won by 224 runs.
Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram
Umpires: Nigel Llong (Eng) and Paul Wilson (Aus)
Player of the match: Rashid Khan (AFG)
  • Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat.
  • Rahmat Shah and Rashid Khan became the first players to score a century and take 10 wickets in a Test for Afghanistan, respectively.

Taliban takeover

[edit]

In August 2021, concerns and doubts were raised over the participation of the Afghanistan national cricket team in the future international matches after the Taliban retook control of Afghanistan.[85][86] Concerns were raised over the safety of Afghan national cricketers and their families who were still in Afghanistan during the Taliban takeover on 15 August 2021.[87] As of 31 August 2021, three of the Afghanistan women's national cricket team had evacuated to Canada, while the others were afraid of how they, as women, would be treated by the Taliban.[88] The women's team was effectively disbanded.

Taliban spokesmen stated that the Taliban would not disrupt the men's cricket team's participation in international matches and that they would allow Afghanistan to play its first ever bilateral series against Pakistan in Sri Lanka which was scheduled to start in September 2021.[89][90] The Pakistan Cricket Board announced in August 2021 that the tour would be rescheduled to 2022. This was later moved to 2023 and the tour took place between 24 – 27 March 2023.[91]

Despite the ICC requirement for member countries to organize a women's national team for full membership status, the Afghanistan men's national team is allowed to still compete.[92]

Grounds

[edit]

Afghanistan typically do not play their home matches in Afghanistan due to the ongoing security situation and the lack of international standard facilities. Afghanistan played their 'home' Intercontinental Cup fixture against Ireland at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Sri Lanka. Following Afghanistan's World Twenty20 qualifying campaign they played two One Day Internationals against Canada at the Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium in the UAE.[93]

As plans to resurrect Afghan cricket developed, at least three international standard cricket stadiums have been built in Afghanistan. In 2016, Shahid Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida became the home ground for the Afghanistan national cricket team after they decided to shift their home ground from Sharjah.[94][95][96] In June 2018, after acquiring test status, Afghanistan changed their home base to Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Dehradun, India.[97] In May 2019, Afghanistan Cricket Board requested BCCI for a new home stadium.[98] In August 2019, BCCI approved Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, India as the new home stadium for the team.[99]

The following are the main cricket stadiums in Afghanistan:

Secondary Home Grounds (outside Afghanistan)[100]

Team colours

[edit]
The flag of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is still used to represent the team in international competitions.

In Test matches, Afghanistan wears cricket whites. Fielders wear a baggy red cap or red sun hat displaying the ACB logo.

In limited-overs cricket, Afghanistan wears a predominantly blue kit with splashes of green, red, black, and, occasionally, yellow. Grey[101] was previously used as the main color between 2012 and 2013. Fielders wear a blue baseball-style cap[102] or red sun hat.

For both Test and limited-overs kits, the ACB logo is featured on the left breast, with the main sponsor logo in the center of the shirt. The secondary sponsor is displayed on the leading sleeve and back of the shirt, with the manufacturer's logo on the non-leading sleeve. For ICC tournaments, the main sponsor logo moves to the leading sleeve.

Previously also red, batters' helmets are blue as of late February 2024,[103] with the Afghanistan tricolor flag displayed above the ACB logo.

The current sponsors are Etisalat[104] and Super Cola[105] (previously Monarch Mart and Alokozay Group); the kit manufacturer is TYKA Sports.[106]

Current squad

[edit]

This lists all the players who have played for Afghanistan in the past 12 months or was named in the most recent Test, ODI or T20I squad. Uncapped players are listed in italics.

Updated: 4 November 2024

Name Age Batting style Bowling style FC Team [107] List A Team [108] T20 Team [109] Forms S/N Captain Last Test Last ODI Last T20I
Batters
Ibrahim Zadran 23 Right-handed Right-arm medium-fast Mis Ainak Hindukush Strikers Mis Ainak Test, ODI, T20I 18 T20I (VC) Ireland 2024 Ireland 2024 Ireland 2024
Hashmatullah Shahidi 30 Left-handed Right-arm off break Band-e-Amir Maiwand Defenders Band-e-Amir Test, ODI 50 Test, ODI (C) Ireland 2024 Ireland 2024 Ireland 2022
Rahmat Shah 31 Right-handed Right-arm leg break Mis Ainak Pamir Legends Boost Test, ODI 8 Test, ODI (VC) Ireland 2024 Ireland 2024 India 2024
Abdul Malik 26 Right-handed Right-arm off break Mah-e-Par Stars Amo Amo Test 20 Bangladesh 2023 — —
Bahir Shah 24 Right-handed Right-arm off break Hindukush Strikers Speen-Ghar Speen-Ghar Test 86 Bangladesh 2023 — —
Hazratullah Zazai 26 Left-handed — Pamir Legends Boost T20I 3 — Cricket West Indies 2019 Sri Lanka 2024
Sediqullah Atal 23 Left-handed — Pamir Legends Band-e-Amir Band-e-Amir T20I 26 — — Ireland 2024
Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai 21 Right-handed Right-arm medium Maiwand Champions Amo Amo T20I 55 — — Ireland 2024
[[Fakhar zaman

(cricketer)|Riaz Hassan]] || 22 || Right-handed || data-sort-value="" style="background: var(--background-color-interactive, #ececec); color: var(--color-base, inherit); vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | — || || Pamir Legends || Band-e-Amir || ODI || 76 || || data-sort-value="" style="background: var(--background-color-interactive, #ececec); color: var(--color-base, inherit); vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | — || Pakistan 2023 || data-sort-value="" style="background: var(--background-color-interactive, #ececec); color: var(--color-base, inherit); vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | —

All-rounders
Karim Janat 26 Right-handed Right-arm medium Band-e-Amir Band-e-Amir Band-e-Amir Test, ODI, T20I 11 Ireland 2024 Sri Lanka 2023 Sri Lanka 2024
Mohammad Nabi 39 Right-handed Right-arm off break Kabul Eagles ODI, T20I 7 Bangladesh 2019 Ireland 2024 Ireland 2024
Azmatullah Omarzai 24 Right-handed Right-arm medium-fast Maiwand Defenders Kabul Eagles ODI, T20I 9 — Ireland 2024 Ireland 2024
Gulbadin Naib 33 Right-handed Right-arm medium-fast Pamir Legends Amo ODI, T20I 14 — Ireland 2024 Sri Lanka 2024
Nangeyalia Kharote 20 Left-handed Slow left-arm orthodox Hindukush Strikers Boost Boost ODI, T20I 12 — Ireland 2024 Ireland 2024
Wicket-keepers
Rahmanullah Gurbaz 23 Right-handed — Kabul Mis Ainak Kabul Eagles Test, ODI, T20I 21 Ireland 2024 Ireland 2024 Ireland 2024
Ikram Alikhil 24 Left-handed — Band-e-Amir Maiwand Defenders Band-e-Amir Test, ODI 46 Sri Lanka 2024 Ireland 2024 —
Mohammad Ishaq 19 Right-handed — Mah-e-Par Stars Boost Amo T20I 27 — — Ireland 2024
Spin Bowlers
Zahir Khan 25 Left-handed Left-arm wrist spin Maiwand Champions Mis Ainak Amo Test 75 Ireland 2024 Ireland 2019 India 2023
Zia-ur-Rehman 26 Right-handed Slow left-arm orthodox Mah-e-Par Stars Mis Ainak Mis Ainak Test 22 Ireland 2024 Bangladesh 2023 —
Mujeeb Ur Rahman 23 Right-handed Right-arm off break Hindukush Stars Hindukush Stars ODI, T20I 88 India 2018 South Africa 2023 India 2024
Qais Ahmad 24 Right-handed bat Right-arm leg break Maiwand Defenders Speen-Ghar T20I 32 Sri Lanka 2024 Sri Lanka 2024 Sri Lanka 2024
Rashid Khan 26 Right-handed Right-arm leg break Band-e-Amir Dragons ODI, T20I 19 T20I (C) Zimbabwe 2021 South Africa 2023 Ireland 2024
Noor Ahmad 19 Right-handed Left-arm wrist spin Mis Ainak Band-e-Amir Dragons ODI, T20I 15 — Ireland 2024 Sri Lanka 2024
Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar 17 Right-handed Right-arm off break Junior Champions Mis Ainak Knights ODI 70 — Ireland 2024 —
Khalil Gurbaz Right-handed Right-arm leg break Pamir Legends Mis Ainak Mis Ainak Test — — —
Pace Bowlers
Nijat Masood 25 Right-handed Right-arm medium Mah-e-Par Stars Band-e-Amir Band-e-Amir Test 12 Ireland 2024 — Zimbabwe 2022
Fazalhaq Farooqi 24 Right-handed Left-arm fast-medium Amo Boost Defenders ODI, T20I 5 — Ireland 2024 Ireland 2024
Naveed Zadran 19 Right-handed Right-arm medium Hindukush Strikers Mis Ainak Mis Ainak Test, ODI 58 Ireland 2024 Ireland 2024 —
Fareed Ahmad 30 Left-handed Left-arm fast-medium Pamir Legends Speen-Ghar ODI, T20I 56 — Sri Lanka 2024 Sri Lanka 2024
Naveen-ul-Haq 25 Right-handed Right-arm medium-fast Kabul Eagles T20I 78 — South Africa 2023 Ireland 2024
Wafadar Momand 24 Right-handed Right-arm medium Band-e-Amir Band-e-Amir T20I 14 Ireland 2019 — Sri Lanka 2024
Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai 25 Right-handed Right-arm fast-medium Hindukush Strikers Speen-Ghar Speen-Ghar Test — — —
Bilal Sami 22 Right-handed Right-arm fast Maiwand Champions Amo Band-e-Amir ODI 68 — — —

Coaching staff

[edit]
Position Name
Director of cricket Afghanistan Raees Ahmadzai
Head coach England Jonathan Trott
Assistant coach India Ramakrishnan Sridhar
Batting coach South Africa Andrew Puttick
Bowling coach Afghanistan Hamid Hassan
Fielding coach New Zealand Shane McDermott
Strength and Conditioning coach Australia Jason Douglas

Records

[edit]

International match summary – Afghanistan[110][111][112]

Last updated 17 December 2024.

Playing record
Format M W L T D/NR Inaugural match
Tests 9 3 6 0 0 14 June 2018
One-Day Internationals 173 83 84 1 5 19 April 2009
Twenty20 Internationals 141 86 52 2 1 1 February 2010

Test matches

[edit]
  • Highest team total: 545/4 v. Zimbabwe, 11 March 2021 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium[113]
  • Lowest team total: 103 v. India, 14 June 2018 at Bangalore[114]

Highest Test scores for Afghanistan[117]

Player Runs Opposition Venue Year
Hashmatullah Shahidi 200*  Zimbabwe Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi 2021
Asghar Afghan 164  Zimbabwe Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi 2021
Ibrahim Zadran 114  Sri Lanka Singhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground, Colombo 2024
Rahmat Shah 102  Bangladesh Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong 2019
Rahmat Shah 98  Ireland Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Dehradun 2019

Best Test bowling figures for Afghanistan[118]

Bowler Figures Opposition Venue Year
Rashid Khan 7/137  Zimbabwe Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi 2021
Rashid Khan 6/49  Bangladesh Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong 2019
Amir Hamza 6/75  Zimbabwe Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi 2021
Rashid Khan 5/55  Bangladesh Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong 2019
Zia-ur-Rehman 5/64  Ireland Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi 2024

Test record versus other nations

[edit]
Opponent Matches Won Lost Draw Tied % Won First Last
 Bangladesh 2 1 1 0 0 50.00 2019 2023
 India 1 0 1 0 0 0.00 2018 2018
 Ireland 2 1 1 0 0 50.00 2019 2024
 Sri Lanka 1 0 1 0 0 0.00 2024 2024
 West Indies 1 0 1 0 0 0.00 2019 2019
 Zimbabwe 2 1 1 0 0 50.00 2021 2021
Total 9 3 6 0 0 33.33 2018 2024
Statistics are correct as of  Afghanistan v  Ireland at Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi, Only Test, 28 February – 1 March 2024[119]

One-Day Internationals

[edit]

Highest ODI scores for Afghanistan[124]

Player Runs Opposition Venue Year
Ibrahim Zadran 162  Sri Lanka Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele 2022
Rahmanullah Gurbaz 151  Pakistan Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa 2023
Azmatullah Omarzai 149*  Sri Lanka Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele 2024
Rahmanullah Gurbaz 145  Bangladesh Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong 2023
Mohammad Nabi 136  Sri Lanka Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele 2024

Best ODI bowling figures for Afghanistan[125]

Bowler Figures Opposition Venue Year
Rashid Khan 7/18  West Indies Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet 2017
Rashid Khan 6/43  Ireland Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground, Greater Noida 2017
Gulbadin Naib 6/43  Ireland Stormont Cricket Ground, Belfast 2019
Mohammad Nabi 5/17  Ireland Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah 2024
Rashid Khan 5/19  South Africa Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah 2024

ODI record versus other nations

[edit]
Opponent Matches Won Lost Tied No Result % Won First Last
Full Members
 Australia 4 0 4 0 0 0.00 2012 2023
 Bangladesh 19 8 11 0 0 41.10 2014 2024
 England 3 1 2 0 0 33.33 2015 2023
 India 4 0 3 1 0 0.00 2014 2023
 Ireland 32 18 13 0 1 58.06 2010 2024
 New Zealand 3 0 3 0 0 0.00 2015 2023
 Pakistan 8 1 7 0 0 12.50 2012 2023
 South Africa 5 2 3 0 0 40.00 2019 2024
 Sri Lanka 15 4 10 0 1 28.57 2014 2024
 West Indies 9 3 5 0 1 37.50 2017 2019
 Zimbabwe 29 18 10 0 1 64.28 2014 2022
Associate Members
 Canada 5 4 1 0 0 80.00 2010 2011
 Hong Kong 2 1 1 0 0 50.00 2014 2018
 Kenya 6 4 2 0 0 66.66 2010 2013
 Netherlands 10 8 2 0 0 80.00 2009 2023
 Scotland 13 8 4 0 1 66.66 2009 2019
 United Arab Emirates 6 3 3 0 0 50.00 2014 2018
Total 173 83 84 1 5 49.70 2009 2024
Statistics are correct as of  Afghanistan v  Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club, Harare, 1st ODI, 17 December 2024[126]

Twenty20 Internationals

[edit]

T20I record versus other nations

[edit]
Opponent Matches Won Lost Tied No Result % Won First Last
Full Members
 Australia 2 1 1 0 0 50.00 2022 2024
 Bangladesh 12 7 5 0 0 58.33 2014 2024
 England 3 0 3 0 0 0.00 2012 2022
 India 9 0 8 1 1 12.50 2010 2024
 Ireland 26 18 7 1 0 71.15 2010 2024
 New Zealand 2 1 1 0 0 50.00 2021 2024
 Pakistan 7 3 4 0 0 42.85 2013 2023
 South Africa 3 0 3 0 0 0.00 2010 2024
 Sri Lanka 8 3 5 0 0 37.50 2016 2024
 West Indies 8 3 5 0 0 37.50 2016 2024
 Zimbabwe 18 16 2 0 0 88.88 2015 2024
Associate Members
 Canada 2 2 0 0 0 100 2010 2012
 Hong Kong 5 3 2 0 0 60.00 2014 2016
 Kenya 3 2 1 0 0 66.66 2013 2013
 Namibia 1 1 0 0 0 100 2021 2021
   Nepal 1 0 1 0 0 00.00 2014 2014
 Netherlands 4 2 2 0 0 50.00 2010 2015
 Oman 5 5 0 0 0 100 2016 2022
 Papua New Guinea 2 2 0 0 0 100 2015 2024
 Scotland 7 7 0 0 0 100 2010 2021
 United Arab Emirates 12 9 3 0 0 75.00 2015 2024
 Uganda 1 1 0 0 0 100 2024 2024
Total 141 86 52 2 1 62.14 2010 2024
Statistics are correct as of  Afghanistan v  Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club, Harare, 14 December 2024[134]

Tournament history

[edit]

ICC Cricket World Cup

[edit]
Main article: Afghanistan at the Cricket World Cup
Year Round Played Won Tied Lost Captain
England 1975 Not eligible – not an ICC Member
England 1979
England 1983
IndiaPakistan 1987
AustraliaNew Zealand 1992
IndiaPakistanSri Lanka 1996
EnglandScotlandRepublic of IrelandNetherlands 1999
South AfricaZimbabweKenya 2003 Not an ICC Member at time of qualifying
Cricket West Indies 2007 Did not qualify
IndiaBangladeshSri Lanka 2011
AustraliaNew Zealand 2015 Group stage 6 1 0 5 Mohammad Nabi
England 2019 Group stage 9 0 0 9 Gulbadin Naib
India 2023 Group stage 9 4 0 5 Hashmatullah Shahidi
Total Group stage 24 5 0 19 –

ICC Trophy/ICC World Cup Qualifier

[edit]

ICC T20 World Cup

[edit]
T20 World Cup record
Year Round Position GP W L T NR
South Africa 2007 Did not qualify
England 2009
Cricket West Indies 2010[136] Group Stage 12/12 2 0 2 0 0
Sri Lanka 2012 11/12 2 0 2 0 0
Bangladesh 2014 14/16 3 1 2 0 0
India 2016 Super 10 9/16 7 4 3 0 0
OmanUnited Arab Emirates 2021 Super 12 7/16 5 2 3 0 0
Australia 2022 Super 12 12/16 5 0 3 0 2
Cricket West IndiesUnited States 2024 Semi-finals 3/20 8 5 3 0 0
Total Semi-finals (2024) 3/20 (2024) 32 12 18 0 2

ICC Champions Trophy

[edit]
ICC Champions Trophy record
Year Round Position GP W L T NR
Bangladesh 1998 Not an ICC member
Kenya 2000
Sri Lanka 2002
England 2004 Did not qualify
India 2006
South Africa 2009
England Wales 2013
England Wales 2017
Pakistan 2025 Qualified
India 2029 TBD

ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier

[edit]

ICC Intercontinental Cup

[edit]

ICC World Cricket League

[edit]

Asian Games

[edit]
Asian Games record[50]
Year Round Position GP W L T NR
China 2010 Silver Medal 2/9 3 2 1 0 0
South Korea 2014 Silver Medal 2/10 3 2 1 0 0
China 2022 Silver Medal 2/14 3 2 0 0 1
Total Silver Medal 2nd 9 6 2 0 1

Asia Cup

[edit]
Asia Cup record[16]
Year Round Position GP W L T NR
United Arab Emirates 1984 Not eligible — Not an ICC Member
Sri Lanka 1986
Bangladesh 1988
India 1990–91
United Arab Emirates 1995
Sri Lanka 1997
Bangladesh 2000
Sri Lanka 2004 Did not qualify
Pakistan 2008
Sri Lanka 2010
Bangladesh 2012
Bangladesh 2014 Group stage 4/5 4 1 3 0 0
Bangladesh 2016 Did not qualify
United Arab Emirates 2018 Super Fours 4/6 5 2 2 1 0
United Arab Emirates 2022 4/6 5 2 3 0 0
PakistanSri Lanka 2023 Group Stage 5/6 2 0 2 0 0
Total Super Fours (2018, 2022) 16 5 10 1 0

ACC Premier League

[edit]
  • 2014: Winners

ACC Trophy

[edit]

ACC Twenty20 Cup

[edit]
Year Round Position GP W L T NR
Kuwait 2007[30] Joint champion with Oman 1/10 6 4 1 1 0
United Arab Emirates 2009 Champion [40] 1/12 7 7 0 0 0
Nepal 2011 Champion 1/10 6 6 0 0 0
Nepal 2013 Champion 1/10 6 5 1 0 0
United Arab Emirates 2015 Did not participate

ACC Under-19 Cup

[edit]
  • 2014: 4th place
  • 2017: Winners

Desert T20 Challenge

[edit]

Middle East Cup

[edit]
  • 2006: Runners-up[30]

Honours

[edit]

Others

[edit]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
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  132. ^ "Records / Afghanistan / Twenty20 Internationals / Most runs". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  133. ^ "Records / Afghanistan / Twenty20 Internationals / Most wickets". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  134. ^ "Records / Afghanistan / T20I matches / Result summary". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  135. ^ "Asian Qualifying Tournaments for the 2005 ICC Trophy". CricketEurope. Archived from the original on 24 May 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  136. ^ "Points tables for the 2010 World Twenty20". CricketArchive. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
[edit]
  • "Afghanistan". International Cricket Council.
  • "Home". Afghanistan Cricket news site.
  • "Home". Afghanistan Cricket Official website (archived). Archived from the original on 18 February 2010.
  • "Home". Afghanistan National Cricket Board.
  • "Home". Afghanistan national cricket team History. 5 January 2020.
Preceded by Test match playing teams
14 June 2018 		Succeeded by
None
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