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Afghanistan national cricket team

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Afghanistan
Nickname(s)Afghan Atalan[1]
Blue Tigers[2]
AssociationAfghanistan Cricket Board
Personnel
Test captainRahmat Shah
One Day captainRahmat Shah
T20I captainIbrahim Zadran[3]
CoachRichard Pybus
Batting coachAndrew Puttick
Bowling coachHamid Hassan
History
Test status acquired2017
International Cricket Council
ICC statusAffiliate Member (2001)
Associate Member (2013)
Full Member (2017)
ICC regionAsia
ICC Rankings Current[4] Best-ever
Test 11th 9th (1 May 2020)[5]
ODI 6th 6th (31 October 2026)[6][7]
T20I 9th 7th (5 May 2019)[8]
Tests
First Testv.  India at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru 14–18 June 2018
Last Testv.  Bangladesh at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi; 9–13 October 2026
Tests Played Won/Lost
Total[9] 14 4/8
(2 draws)
This year[10] 2 0/1 (1 draw)
One Day Internationals
First ODIv.  Scotland at Willowmoore Park, Benoni; 19 April 2009
Last ODIv.  Zimbabwe at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah; 23 October 2026
ODIs Played Won/Lost
Total[11] 191 96/88
(1 tie, 6 no results)
This year[12] 10 7/3
(0 ties, 0 no results)
World Cup appearances3 (first in 2015)
Best result6th place (2023)
World Cup Qualifier appearances2 (first in 2009)
Best resultChampions (2018)
T20 Internationals
First T20Iv.  Ireland at Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium, Colombo; 1 February 2010
Last T20Iv.  Zimbabwe at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah; 1 November 2026
T20Is Played Won/Lost
Total[13] 171 102/65
(3 ties, 1 no result)
This year[14] 15 8/6
(1 tie, 0 no results)
T20 World Cup appearances8 (first in 2010)
Best resultSemi-finals (2024)
T20 World Cup Qualifier appearances4 (first in 2010)
Best resultChampions (2010)

Test kit

ODI & T20I kit

As of 1 November 2026

The Afghanistan men's national cricket team [a] represents Afghanistan in international cricket. It is a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) with Test, One-Day International and T20 International status.

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 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.

Cricket has grown in popularity in Afghanistan, and the national team has gained international recognition through its participation in major tournament. Media Coverage linked the sport's rise to broader social interest in cricket within the country.[21][22][23]

History

[edit]

Pre-ODI history

[edit]

Cricket in Afghanistan gained traction by Afghan expatriates who learnt the sport while living in Pakistan in the 1980s and 1990s, during the post-Soviet invasion era.[24][25] 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).[26][25] It was during this time that the Afghanistan Cricket Federation (now ACB) was also founded, in 1995.[27] 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.[27]

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.[28][29] They returned for the Cornelius Trophy in the 2002–03 season, drawing one and losing three matches.[30] 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.[29][31]

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 team featuring former England captain Mike Gatting by 171 runs in Mumbai. Gatting was dismissed for a duck.[32]

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.[32]

They won their first tournament in 2007, sharing the ACC Twenty20 Cup with Oman after the two tied in the final.[32] They began their qualifying campaign for the 2011 World Cup in Jersey in 2008, winning Division Five of the World Cricket League.[33] 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.[24][26] During this period, a number of Afghan international cricketers made appearances for Pakistani domestic outfits in the first-class circuit.[25][34][35]

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.[36]

In 2010, Afghanistan competed at the Asian Games, a non-ICC T20 event hosted by China, where they defeated a second-string Pakistan team by 22 runs in the semi-finals in what was considered an upset.[37] In May 2011, the Afghan team 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 team 3–0.[38][34] 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.[39]

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.[40] 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.[41]

Afghanistan then took part in the 2009 ACC Twenty20 Cup in the United Arab Emirates. Afghanistan was drawn in Group A, 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.[42] In the final they met the hosts, the United Arab Emirates, whom they defeated by 84 runs.[43]

On 1 February 2010, Afghanistan played their first Twenty20 International against Ireland,[44] which they lost by 5 wickets.[45] 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.[46] 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.[47] 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.[48]

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.[49] Also in 2010, they won the ACC Trophy Elite tournament in Kuwait, beating Nepal in the final[50] and finished third in Division One of the World Cricket League in the Netherlands.[51] 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.[52]

In 2011, Afghanistan begun the 2011–13 ICC World Cricket League Championship. They beat Canada and drew with the UAE.[53] In the parallel one-day league, they won two matches against Canada and lost twice to the UAE.[54] 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 teams and also the first ever ODI between an Affiliate and a Test-playing nation.[55] Billed as a historic occasion for Afghan cricket, the game was won comfortably by Pakistan by seven wickets with 13 overs to spare.[56][57] 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 a 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.[58]

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.[59]

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.[60]

Associate Membership

[edit]

Afghanistan became 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.[61][62]

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.[63]

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[64] 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]

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.[65]

Afghanistan made their World Cup debut in the 2015 Cricket World Cup in which their first game was against Bangladesh at the Manuka Oval in Canberra, Australia. The match resulted in a 105 run defeat.[66] 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 was 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, and the first consecutive World Cup appearance for the time. 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.[67]

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.[68] They also defeated Pakistan in ODI cricket for the first time.[69] 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 the 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.

In doing so, they became the first non-Test-playing country to win a multi-game bilateral ODI series against a Test team. 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 team other than Zimbabwe and was the first bilateral series between the two teams.

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.[70]

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.[71] 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.[72] 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.[73] 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 was 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.[74] 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[75] 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.[76] 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.[77] 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.[78] 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.[79] 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.[80] In December 2017, the ICC confirmed that Afghanistan were scheduled to play their first Test against India, in late 2018.[81] According to the ICC Future Tours Programme for 2019–23, Afghanistan are scheduled to play thirteen Tests.[82] In January 2018, both the ACB and the BCCI confirmed the Test would be played in June in Bengaluru.[83][84]

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.[85][86]

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.[87]

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.[88][89] 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.[90] 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.[91] 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.[92][93] 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.[94]

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.[95]

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.[96]

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.[97][98][99] In June 2018, after acquiring test status, Afghanistan changed their home base to Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Dehradun, India.[100] In May 2019, Afghanistan Cricket Board requested BCCI for a new home stadium.[101] In August 2019, BCCI approved Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, India as the new home stadium for the team.[102]

The following are the main cricket stadiums in Afghanistan:

Secondary Home Grounds (outside Afghanistan)[103]

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[104] was previously used as the main color between 2012 and 2013. Fielders wear a blue baseball-style cap[105] 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,[106] with the Afghanistan tricolor flag displayed above the ACB logo.

The current sponsors are Etisalat[107] and Vany Sports.[108]

Current squad

[edit]

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

Updated: 6 January 2025

Name Age Batting style Bowling style FC Team [109] List A Team [110] T20 Team [111] Forms S/N Captain Last Test Last ODI Last T20I
Batters
Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai23Right-handedRight-arm mediumMaiwand ChampionsAmoAmoT20I55N/aN/aIreland 2024
Sediqullah Atal25Left-handedN/aPamir LegendsBand-e-AmirBand-e-AmirTest, ODI, T20I26Zimbabwe 2024Zimbabwe 2024Zimbabwe 2024
Riaz Hassan23Right-handedN/aPamir LegendsBand-e-AmirTest, ODI76Zimbabwe 2025South Africa 2024N/a
Abdul Malik28Right-handedRight-arm off breakMah-e-Par StarsAmoAmoTest, ODI20Zimbabwe 2025Zimbabwe 2024N/a
Bahir Shah26Right-handedRight-arm off breakHindukush StrikersSpeen-GharSpeen-GharTest86Bangladesh 2023N/aN/a
Rahmat Shah33Right-handedRight-arm leg breakMis AinakPamir LegendsBoostTest, ODI8Test, ODI (C)Zimbabwe 2025Zimbabwe 2024India 2024
Hashmatullah Shahidi31Left-handedRight-arm off breakBand-e-AmirMaiwand DefendersBand-e-AmirTest, ODI50Zimbabwe 2025Zimbabwe 2024Ireland 2022
Ibrahim Zadran24Right-handedRight-arm medium-fastMis AinakHindukush StrikersMis AinakTest, ODI, T20I18T20I (C)Ireland 2024Ireland 2024South Africa 2024
Hazratullah Zazai28Left-handedN/aPamir LegendsBoostT20I3N/aCricket West Indies 2019Zimbabwe 2024
All-rounders
Ismat Alam24Right-handedRight-arm fast-mediumSpeen-GharSpeen-GharSpeen-GharTestZimbabwe 2025N/aN/a
Karim Janat28Right-handedRight-arm mediumBand-e-AmirBand-e-AmirBand-e-AmirTest, T20I11Ireland 2024Sri Lanka 2023Zimbabwe 2024
Nangeyalia Kharote22Left-handedSlow left-arm orthodoxHindukush StrikersBoostBoostODI, T20I12N/aIreland 2024South Africa 2024
Mohammad Nabi41Right-handedRight-arm off breakKabul EaglesODI, T20I7Bangladesh 2019Zimbabwe 2024Zimbabwe 2024
Gulbadin Naib35Right-handedRight-arm medium-fastPamir LegendsAmoODI, T20I14N/aBangladesh 2024Zimbabwe 2024
Azmatullah Omarzai26Right-handedRight-arm medium-fastMaiwand DefendersKabul EaglesTest, ODI, T20I9Zimbabwe 2024Zimbabwe 2024Zimbabwe 2024
Shahidullah27Left-handedSlow left-arm orthodoxSpeen-GharAmoTestZimbabwe 2025Sri Lanka 2023India 2023
Wicket-keepers
Ikram Alikhil26Left-handedN/aBand-e-AmirMaiwand DefendersBand-e-AmirTest, ODI46Sri Lanka 2024Zimbabwe 2024N/a
Rahmanullah Gurbaz24Right-handedN/aKabulMis AinakKabul EaglesTest, ODI, T20I21Ireland 2024Bangladesh 2024Zimbabwe 2024
Mohammad Ishaq21Right-handedN/aMah-e-Par StarsBoostAmoT20I27N/aN/aZimbabwe 2024
Afsar Zazai33Right-handedN/aMis Ainak KnightsTest40Zimbabwe 2025Cricket West Indies 2017India 2023
Spin Bowlers
Noor Ahmad21Right-handedLeft-arm wrist spinMis AinakBand-e-Amir DragonsODI, T20I15N/aIreland 2024Sri Lanka 2024
Qais Ahmad26Right-handed batRight-arm leg breakMaiwand DefendersSpeen-GharT20I32Sri Lanka 2024Sri Lanka 2024Sri Lanka 2024
Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar19Right-handedRight-arm off breakJunior ChampionsMis Ainak KnightsTest, ODI70Zimbabwe 2024Zimbabwe 2024N/a
Rashid Khan28Right-handedRight-arm leg breakBand-e-Amir DragonsTest, ODI, T20I19Zimbabwe 2025Zimbabwe 2024Zimbabwe 2024
Zahir Khan27Left-handedLeft-arm wrist spinMaiwand ChampionsMis AinakAmoTest75Zimbabwe 2024Ireland 2019India 2023
Mujeeb Ur Rahman25Right-handedRight-arm off breakHindukush StarsHindukush StarsT20I88India 2018South Africa 2023Zimbabwe 2024
Zia-ur-Rehman28Right-handedSlow left-arm orthodoxMah-e-Par StarsMis AinakMis AinakTest22Zimbabwe 2025Bangladesh 2023N/a
Pace Bowlers
Fareed Ahmad32Left-handedLeft-arm fast-mediumPamir LegendsSpeen-GharTest, ODI, T20I56Zimbabwe 2025Zimbabwe 2024Zimbabwe 2024
Yamin Ahmadzai34Right-handedRight-arm medium-fastMaiwand ChampionsSpeen-GharTestZimbabwe 2025N/aN/a
Fazalhaq Farooqi26Right-handedLeft-arm fast-mediumAmoBoost DefendersODI, T20I5N/aZimbabwe 2024Zimbabwe 2024
Wafadar Momand26Right-handedRight-arm mediumBand-e-AmirBand-e-AmirT20I14Ireland 2019N/aSri Lanka 2024
Nijat Masood27Right-handedRight-arm mediumMah-e-Par StarsBand-e-AmirBand-e-AmirTest12Ireland 2024N/aZimbabwe 2022
Bilal Sami24Right-handedRight-arm fastMaiwand ChampionsAmoBand-e-AmirODI68N/aZimbabwe 2024N/a
Naveen-ul-Haq27Right-handedRight-arm medium-fastKabul EaglesT20I78N/aSouth Africa 2023Zimbabwe 2024
Naveed Zadran21Right-handedRight-arm mediumHindukush StrikersMis AinakMis AinakTest, ODI58Zimbabwe 2024Zimbabwe 2024N/a

Coaching staff

[edit]
Position Name
Director of cricketRaees Ahmadzai
Head coachRichard Pybus
Batting coachToby Radford[112]
Fast bowling coachHamid Hassan
Spin bowling coachVacant
Fielding coachJohn Mooney
Strength and conditioning coachRobert Ahmun[112]

Records

[edit]

International match summary – Afghanistan[113][114][115]

Last updated 1 November 2026.

Playing record
FormatMWLTD/NRInaugural match
Tests14480214 June 2018
One-Day Internationals19196881619 April 2009
Twenty20 Internationals17110265311 February 2010

Test matches

[edit]

Highest Test scores for Afghanistan[119]

PlayerRunsOppositionVenueYear
Hashmatullah Shahidi246 ZimbabweQueens Sports Club, Bulawayo2024
Rahmat Shah234 ZimbabweQueens Sports Club, Bulawayo2024
Hashmatullah Shahidi200* ZimbabweSheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi2021
Asghar Afghan164 ZimbabweSheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi2021
Ibrahim Zadran114 Sri LankaSinghalese Sports Club Cricket Ground, Colombo2024

Best Test bowling figures for Afghanistan[120]

BowlerFiguresOppositionVenueYear
Rashid Khan7/137 ZimbabweSheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi2021
Ziaur Rahman7/97 ZimbabweHarare Sports Club, Harare2025
Rashid Khan6/49 BangladeshZahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong2019
Amir Hamza6/75 ZimbabweSheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi2021
Rashid Khan5/55 BangladeshZahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong2019

Test record versus other nations

[edit]
Opponent Matches Won Lost Draw Tied % Won First Last
 Bangladesh3111033.3320192026
 India202000.0020182026
 Ireland2110050.0020192024
 Sri Lanka101000.0020242024
 West Indies101000.0020192019
 Zimbabwe5221040.0020212025
Total 14482028.5720182026
Statistics are correct as of  Afghanistan v  Bangladesh at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, Only Test, 9–13 June 2026[121]

One-Day Internationals

[edit]

Highest ODI scores for Afghanistan[126]

PlayerRunsOppositionVenueYear
Ibrahim Zadran177 EnglandGadaffi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan2025
Ibrahim Zadran162 Sri LankaPallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele2022
Rahmanullah Gurbaz151 PakistanMahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa2023
Azmatullah Omarzai149* Sri LankaPallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele2024
Rahmanullah Gurbaz145 BangladeshZohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong2023

Best ODI bowling figures for Afghanistan[127]

BowlerFiguresOppositionVenueYear
Rashid Khan7/18 West IndiesDarren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet2017
AM Ghazanfar6/26 BangladeshSharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah2024
Rashid Khan6/34 IrelandBready Cricket Club Ground, Magheramason2026
Rashid Khan6/43 IrelandGreater Noida Sports Complex Ground, Greater Noida2017
Gulbadin Naib6/43 IrelandStormont Cricket Ground, Belfast2019

ODI record versus other nations

[edit]
Opponent Matches Won Lost Tied No Result % Won First Last
Full Members
 Australia 504010.0020122025
 Bangladesh 2312110052.1720142026
 England 4220050.0020152025
 India 706100.0020142026
 Ireland 3622130162.8520102026
 New Zealand 303000.0020152023
 Pakistan 8170012.5020122023
 South Africa 6240033.3320192025
 Sri Lanka 154100128.5720142024
 West Indies 9350137.5020172019
 Zimbabwe 3322100168.7520142026
Associate Members
 Canada 5410080.0020102011
 Hong Kong 2110050.0020142018
 Kenya 6420066.6620102013
 Netherlands 10820080.0020092023
 Scotland 13840166.6620092019
 United Arab Emirates 6330050.0020142018
Total 19196881652.1620092026
Statistics are correct as of  Afghanistan v  Zimbabwe at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah; 23 October 2026[128]

Twenty20 Internationals

[edit]

T20I record versus other nations

[edit]
Opponent Matches Won Lost Tied No Result % Won First Last
Full Members
 Australia 2110050.0020222024
 Bangladesh 16790043.7520142025
 England 303000.0020122022
 India 12010114.5020102026
 Ireland 261871071.1520102024
 New Zealand 3120033.3420212026
 Pakistan 10460040.0020132025
 South Africa 403100.0020102026
 Sri Lanka 9360033.3320162025
 West Indies 11560045.4520162026
 Zimbabwe 242220091.6620152026
Associate Members
 Canada 3300010020102026
 Hong Kong 6420066.6620142025
 Japan 110001002026
 Kenya 3210066.6620132013
 Namibia 1100010020212021
   Nepal 202000.0020142026
 Netherlands 4220050.0020102015
 Oman 5500010020162022
 Papua New Guinea 2200010020152024
 Qatar 1100010020252025
 Scotland 7700010020102021
 United Arab Emirates 151230080.0020152026
 Uganda 1100010020242024
Total 171102663160.8820102026
Statistics are correct as of  Afghanistan v  Zimbabwe at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, 1 November 2026[135]

Tournament history

[edit]

ICC Cricket World Cup

[edit]
YearRoundPlayedWonTiedLostCaptain
England 1975Not eligible – not an ICC Member
England 1979
England Wales 1983
India Pakistan 1987
Australia New Zealand 1992
India Pakistan Sri Lanka 1996
England Wales Scotland Republic of Ireland Netherlands 1999
South Africa Zimbabwe Kenya 2003Not an ICC Member at time of qualifying
Cricket West Indies 2007Did not qualify
India Sri Lanka Bangladesh 2011
Australia New Zealand 2015Group stage6105Mohammad Nabi
England Wales 2019Group stage9009Gulbadin Naib
India 2023Group stage9405Hashmatullah Shahidi
South Africa Zimbabwe Namibia 2027TBD
India Bangladesh 2031
Total245019–

ICC World Cup qualifiers

[edit]
ICC World Cup qualification records
Year Round Position GP W L T NR
Republic of Ireland 2005Did not qualify[136]
South Africa 2009DNQ[40]5/12125700
Zimbabwe 2018Qualified1/1094500
Total2/51 Title 2191200

ICC T20 World Cup

[edit]
ICC T20 World Cup records
Year Round Position GP W L T NR
South Africa 2007Did not qualify
England 2009
Cricket West Indies 2010[137]Group Stage12/1220200
Sri Lanka 201211/1220200
Bangladesh 201414/1631200
India 2016Super 109/1674300
United Arab Emirates Oman 2021Super 127/1652300
Australia 2022Super 12 12/16 5 0 3 0 2
Cricket West Indies United States 2024Semi-finals 3/20 8 5 3 0 0
India Sri Lanka 2026Group Stage10/2042200
Australia New Zealand 2028Qualified
England Wales Republic of Ireland Scotland 2030TBD
TotalSemi-finals3rd36142002

ICC Champions Trophy

[edit]
ICC Champions Trophy records
Year Round Position GP W L T NR
Bangladesh 1998Not an ICC member
Kenya 2000
Sri Lanka 2002
England 2004Did not qualify
India 2006
South Africa 2009
England Wales 2013
England Wales 2017
Pakistan United Arab Emirates 2025Group Stage5/831101
India 2029To be determined
Total1/90 Title31101

ICC T20 World Cup qualifiers

[edit]
ICC T20 World Cup qualification records
Year Round Position GP W L T NR
Republic of Ireland 2009Not eligible, not an ODI nation at time of tournament[16]
United Arab Emirates 2010Qualified1/876100
United Arab Emirates 2012Qualified2/1698100
Bangladesh 2013Qualified2/1697200
Republic of Ireland
Scotland 2015		Qualified5/1484202
Total4/51 Title 3325602

ICC Intercontinental Cup

[edit]
ICC Intercontinental Cup records
Host/Year Round Position GP W L D NR
Various 2009–10Champion1/776010
Various 2011–13Runners-up2/885120
Various 2015–17Champion1/876010
Total3/32 Titles 2217140

ICC World Cricket League Division Five

[edit]
ICC World Cricket League Division Five records
Year Round Position GP W L T NR
Jersey 2008Champion[33]1/1275011
Total1/61 Title 75011

ICC World Cricket League Division Four

[edit]
ICC World Cricket League Division Four records
Year Round Position GP W L T NR
Tanzania 2008Champion[16]1/666000
Total1/61 Title 66000

ICC World Cricket League Division Three

[edit]
ICC World Cricket League Division Three records
Year Round Position GP W L T NR
Argentina 2009Champion[36]1/654100
Total1/71 Title 54100

ICC World Cricket League Division One

[edit]
ICC World Cricket League Division One records
Host/Year Round Position GP W L T NR
Netherlands 20103rd-place[51]3/663300
Total1/60 Title 63300

ICC World Cricket League Championship

[edit]
World Cricket League Championship records
Year Round Position GP W L T NR
Republic of Ireland 2011–13Runners-up2/8149401
Total1/41 Title 149401

Asian Games

[edit]
Asian Games records[52]
Year Round Position GP W L T NR
China 2010Silver Medal2/932100
South Korea 2014Silver Medal2/1032100
China 2022Silver Medal2/1432001
Japan 2026Quarter-finals7/1031101
Total4/40 Title127302

ACC Asia Cup

[edit]
ACC Asia Cup records[16]
Year Round Position GP W L T NR
United Arab Emirates 1984Not eligible — Not an ICC Member
Sri Lanka 1986
Bangladesh 1988
India 1990–91
United Arab Emirates 1995
Sri Lanka 1997
Bangladesh 2000
Sri Lanka 2004Did not qualify
Pakistan 2008
Sri Lanka 2010
Bangladesh 2012
Bangladesh 2014Group stage4/541300
Bangladesh 2016Did not qualify
United Arab Emirates 2018Super Fours4/652210
United Arab Emirates 2022 4/6 5 2 3 0 0
PakistanSri Lanka 2023Group Stage5/620200
United Arab Emirates 2025 5/831200
Total5/170 Title 1961210

ACC Trophy

[edit]
ACC Trophy records
Year Round Position GP W L T NR
Malaysia 1996Not eligible, not an ACC Member.[16]
Nepal 1998
United Arab Emirates 2000
Singapore 2002
Nepal 2004Quarter-finals6/1562400
United Arab Emirates 2006Quarter-finals3/1765100
Malaysia 2008Semi-finals3/1064200
Kuwait 2010Champion1/1065100
Nepal 2012Did not participate
Malaysia 2014Champion1/654100
Total5/102 Titles 2920900

ACC Twenty20 Cup

[edit]
ACC Twenty20 Cup records
Year
Host		 Round Position GP W L T NR
Kuwait 2007[32]Joint Champion with Oman1/1064110
United Arab Emirates 2009Champion [42]1/1277000
Nepal 2011Champion1/1066000
Nepal 2013Champion1/1065100
United Arab Emirates 2015Did not participate
Total4/54 Titles 2522210

Honours

[edit]

Others

[edit]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ↑ Pashto: د افغانستان کرکټ ملي لوب‌‌‌‌‌‌ډله
    Dari: تیم ملی کریکت افغانستان

References

[edit]
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  133. ↑ "Records / Afghanistan / Twenty20 Internationals / Most runs". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  134. ↑ "Records / Afghanistan / Twenty20 Internationals / Most wickets". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  135. ↑ "Records / Afghanistan / T20I matches / Result summary". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 November 2026.
  136. ↑ "Asian Qualifying Tournaments for the 2005 ICC Trophy". CricketEurope. Archived from the original on 24 May 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  137. ↑ "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. Archived from the original on 1 July 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  • "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.
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