The Afghanistan Cricket Team has come a long way since its beginning on the cricket ground. Their journey on the ground was filled with memories of achievements with some setbacks too. In the current time, the team is outshining in cricket by giving its best performance against its strong competitors. Let’s deep dive into its rise to fame in recent times with some brief history and a list of current players.
A Brief History Of Afghanistan Cricket Team
The team’s cricket journey is remarkable, marked by swift progress and continuous growth on the field. Their story on the cricket ground began in the late 1990s. For them, the game was introduced by refugees who fled to their country from neighboring countries like Pakistan. Their first-ever international match was played in 2001.
They learned this sport during the post-Soviet Era, and most of their players practiced this sport in Pakistan when the country was ready to form its official team. Then they started participating in domestic matches. In the year 1995, they formed the federation and named it the Pakistan Cricket Federation. Overall the team has played 104 Twenty 20 International matches in which they had won in 63 matches. When it comes to one-day internationals(ODIs) the team has played a total of 129 matches, of which they have played 2 matches.
Rise In Current Standing
The rise of this team is highlighted by its ability to defeat major cricket-playing countries in recent times. Afghanistan’s skillful bowling attack, led by the world-renowned leg-spinner Rashid Khan, has been pivotal in these victories. Rashid Khan’s mastery of variations and his impeccable control have established him as one of the most intimidating bowlers in the world. Along with him, other players also gave their best in the performance of their teams.
One of their last victories was on the 26th of February 2025. The match was against England in the ICC champions trophy held at Lahore. In that match, the team posted a total of 325/7 in their allotted 50 overs. A standout performance by Ibrahim Zadran, making 177 runs alone.
In the past, the team has defeated strong cricket teams like England, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and more.
Recent Encounters
Given below is the table of their recently won matches in one year:
| Date | Opponent | Format | Venue | Result / Margin |
| 26 Feb 2025 | England | ODI | Lahore (Champions Trophy) | Won by 8 runs |
| 14 Dec 2024 | Zimbabwe | ODI | Harare Sports Club | Won by 8 wickets |
| 12 Dec 2024 | Zimbabwe | ODI | Harare Sports Club | Won by 232 runs |
| 11 Dec 2024 | Zimbabwe | T20I | Harare Sports Club | Won by 50 runs |
| 10 Dec 2024 | Zimbabwe | T20I | Harare Sports Club | Won by 3 wickets |
| 20 Nov 2024 | Bangladesh | ODI | Venue not specified | Won by 92 runs |
| 14 Nov 2024 | South Africa | ODI | Venue not specified | Won by 6 wickets |
| 11 Nov 2024 | South Africa | ODI | Venue not specified | Won by 177 runs |
| 24 Aug 2024 | Zimbabwe | Test | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo | Won by 72 runs |
| 18 Aug 2024 | Zimbabwe | ODI | Harare Sports Club | Won by 8 wickets |
Current Squad Of Afghanistan Cricket Team
The current squad of the Afghanistan cricket team features a blend of experienced players as well as some new talent:
| Player Name | Role |
| Hashmatullah Shahidi | Batsman (Left-hand) |
| Rashid Khan | Bowler (Legbreak) |
| Ibrahim Zadran | Batsman (Right-hand) |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Wicketkeeper-Batsman |
| Ikram Alikhil | Wicketkeeper-Batsman |
| Sediqullah Atal | All-rounder |
| Rahmat Shah | Batsman |
| Gulbadin Naib | All-rounder |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | All-rounder |
| Mohammad Nabi | All-rounder |
| AM Ghazanfar | Bowler (Left-arm) |
| Noor Ahmad | Bowler |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | Bowler (Fast) |
| Fareed Ahmad | Bowler (Fast) |
| Farid Malik | Bowler |
| Naveed Zadran | Batsman |
Conclusion
Afghanistan’s cricketing future looks brighter than ever. With players like Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and others continuing to develop their skills and dominate international cricket, the team is well-positioned to cause further upsets and rise in world rankings. The team’s ability to compete with the top-tier cricketing nations, especially in T20 formats, has garnered attention worldwide.
Also read about: Pakistan National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Timeline
