Misplaced Pages

Afghanistan

Nickname(s)	Afghan Atalans
Association	Afghanistan Cricket Board
Personnel
Test captain	Hashmatullah Shahidi
T20I captain	Rashid Khan
Coach	Jonathan Trott
Batting coach	Andrew Puttick
Bowling coach	Hamid Hassan
Fielding coach	Shane McDermott
History
Test status acquired	2017
International Cricket Council
ICC status	Affiliate Member (2001) Associate Member (2013) Full Member (2017)
ICC region	Asia
ICC Rankings Current Best-ever Test 12th 9th (1 May 2020) ODI 8th 8th (9 July 2023) T20I 10th 7th (5 May 2019)
Tests
First Test	v.  India at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore, India 14–18 June 2018
Last Test	v.  Ireland at Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi; 28 February – 1 March 2024
Tests Played Won/Lost Total 9 3/6 (0 draws) This year 2 0/2 (0 draws)
One Day Internationals
First ODI	v.  Scotland at Willowmoore Park, Benoni; 19 April 2009
Last ODI	v.  Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club, Harare; 21 December 2024
ODIs Played Won/Lost Total 175 85/84 (1 ties, 5 no results) This year 14 8/5 (0 ties, 1 no result)
World Cup appearances	3 (first in 2015)
Best result	6th place (2023)
World Cup Qualifier appearances	2 (first in 2009)
Best result	Champions (2018)
Twenty20 Internationals
First T20I	v.  Ireland at P. Sara, Colombo; 1 February 2010
Last T20I	v.  Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club, Harare; 14 December 2024
T20Is Played Won/Lost Total 141 86/52 (2 ties, 1 no result) This year 21 11/9 (1 ties, 0 no results)
T20 World Cup appearances	7 (first in 2010)
Best result	Semi-finals (2024)
T20 World Cup Qualifier appearances	4 (first in 2010)
Best result	Champions (2010)
Test kit ODI kit T20I kit
As of 21 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.

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 and a member of the cricket confederation, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in 2003. 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. 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. 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, 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

Pre-ODI history

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. 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). It was during this time that the Afghanistan Cricket Federation (now ACB) was also founded, in 1995. 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.

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. They returned for the Cornelius Trophy in the 2002–03 season, drawing one and losing three matches. 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.

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.

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. They finished third in the ACC Trophy that year, beating Nepal in a play-off match.

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

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

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.

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. 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. 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.

ODI status

In the 2011 Cricket World Cup qualifying tournament, Afghanistan failed to progress to the World Cup, but earned ODI status for four years. 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. 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.

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. In the final they met the hosts, the United Arab Emirates, whom they defeated by 84 runs.

On 1 February 2010, Afghanistan played their first Twenty20 International against Ireland, which they lost by 5 wickets. 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. 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. 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.

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

In 2011, Afghanistan begun the 2011-13 ICC World Cricket League Championship. They beat Canada and drew with the UAE. In the parallel one-day league, they won two matches against Canada and lost twice to the UAE. 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. Billed as a historic occasion for Afghan cricket, the game was won comfortably by Pakistan by seven wickets with 13 overs to spare. 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.

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.

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.

Associate Membership

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.

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.

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 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

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.

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. 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

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.

2023 Cricket World Cup

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. This was backed up by a first ever victory over Pakistan in ODI cricket. 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

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.

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. 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. 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. 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

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. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. In December 2017, the ICC confirmed that Afghanistan were scheduled to play their first Test against India, in late 2018. According to the ICC Future Tours Programme for 2019–23, Afghanistan are scheduled to play thirteen Tests. In January 2018, both the ACB and the BCCI confirmed the Test would be played in June in Bengaluru.

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

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.

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.

Afghanistan	v	Bangladesh
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 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

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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

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.

Grounds

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.

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

The following are the main cricket stadiums in Afghanistan:

• Alokozay Kabul International Cricket Ground in Kabul
• Ghazi Amanullah International Cricket Stadium in Ghazi Amanullah Town, Jalalabad
• Ahmad Shahi Stadium in Kandahar
• Kandahar International Cricket Stadium in Kandahar
• Khost Cricket Stadium in Khost

Secondary Home Grounds (outside Afghanistan)

• Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah (2010–2016 2024)
• Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex, Greater Noida (2017–2024)
• Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Dehradun (2018–2019)
• Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow (2019)
• Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi (2021)
• West End Park International Cricket Stadium, Doha (starting from 2025)

Team colours

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

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

Current squad

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	List A Team	T20 Team	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)	2024	2024	2024
Hashmatullah Shahidi	30	Left-handed	Right-arm off break	Band-e-Amir	Maiwand Defenders	Band-e-Amir	Test, ODI	50	Test, ODI (C)	2024	2024	2022
Rahmat Shah	31	Right-handed	Right-arm leg break	Mis Ainak	Pamir Legends	Boost	Test, ODI	8	Test, ODI (VC)	2024	2024	2024
Abdul Malik	26	Right-handed	Right-arm off break	Mah-e-Par Stars	Amo	Amo	Test	20		2023	—	—
Bahir Shah	24	Right-handed	Right-arm off break	Hindukush Strikers	Speen-Ghar	Speen-Ghar	Test	86		2023	—	—
Hazratullah Zazai	26	Left-handed	—		Pamir Legends	Boost	T20I	3		—	2019	2024
Sediqullah Atal	23	Left-handed	—	Pamir Legends	Band-e-Amir	Band-e-Amir	T20I	26		—	—	2024
Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai	21	Right-handed	Right-arm medium	Maiwand Champions	Amo	Amo	T20I	55		—	—	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" | — || 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		2024	2023	2024
Mohammad Nabi	39	Right-handed	Right-arm off break			Kabul Eagles	ODI, T20I	7		2019	2024	2024
Azmatullah Omarzai	24	Right-handed	Right-arm medium-fast		Maiwand Defenders	Kabul Eagles	ODI, T20I	9		—	2024	2024
Gulbadin Naib	33	Right-handed	Right-arm medium-fast		Pamir Legends	Amo	ODI, T20I	14		—	2024	2024
Nangeyalia Kharote	20	Left-handed	Slow left-arm orthodox	Hindukush Strikers	Boost	Boost	ODI, T20I	12		—	2024	2024
Wicket-keepers
Rahmanullah Gurbaz	23	Right-handed	—	Kabul	Mis Ainak	Kabul Eagles	Test, ODI, T20I	21		2024	2024	2024
Ikram Alikhil	24	Left-handed	—	Band-e-Amir	Maiwand Defenders	Band-e-Amir	Test, ODI	46		2024	2024	—
Mohammad Ishaq	19	Right-handed	—	Mah-e-Par Stars	Boost	Amo	T20I	27		—	—	2024
Spin Bowlers
Zahir Khan	26	Left-handed	Left-arm wrist spin	Maiwand Champions	Mis Ainak	Amo	Test	75		2024	2019	2023
Zia-ur-Rehman	26	Right-handed	Slow left-arm orthodox	Mah-e-Par Stars	Mis Ainak	Mis Ainak	Test	22		2024	2023	—
Mujeeb Ur Rahman	23	Right-handed	Right-arm off break		Hindukush Stars	Hindukush Stars	ODI, T20I	88		2018	2023	2024
Qais Ahmad	24	Right-handed bat	Right-arm leg break		Maiwand Defenders	Speen-Ghar	T20I	32		2024	2024	2024
Rashid Khan	26	Right-handed	Right-arm leg break			Band-e-Amir Dragons	ODI, T20I	19	T20I (C)	2021	2023	2024
Noor Ahmad	19	Right-handed	Left-arm wrist spin		Mis Ainak	Band-e-Amir Dragons	ODI, T20I	15		—	2024	2024
Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar	17	Right-handed	Right-arm off break		Junior Champions	Mis Ainak Knights	ODI	70		—	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		2024	—	2022
Fazalhaq Farooqi	24	Right-handed	Left-arm fast-medium		Amo	Boost Defenders	ODI, T20I	5		—	2024	2024
Naveed Zadran	19	Right-handed	Right-arm medium	Hindukush Strikers	Mis Ainak	Mis Ainak	Test, ODI	58		2024	2024	—
Fareed Ahmad	30	Left-handed	Left-arm fast-medium		Pamir Legends	Speen-Ghar	ODI, T20I	56		—	2024	2024
Naveen-ul-Haq	25	Right-handed	Right-arm medium-fast			Kabul Eagles	T20I	78		—	2023	2024
Wafadar Momand	24	Right-handed	Right-arm medium		Band-e-Amir	Band-e-Amir	T20I	14		2019	—	2024
Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai	26	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

Position	Name
Director of cricket	Raees Ahmadzai
Head coach	Jonathan Trott
Assistant coach	Ramakrishnan Sridhar
Batting coach	Andrew Puttick
Bowling coach	Hamid Hassan
Fielding coach	Shane McDermott
Strength and Conditioning coach	Jason Douglas

Records

International match summary – Afghanistan

Last updated 21 December 2024.

Test matches

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

Highest Test scores for Afghanistan

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

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

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

One-Day Internationals

• Highest team total: 339/6 v. Sri Lanka, 9 February 2024 at Pallekelle
• Lowest team 58 v. Zimbabwe, 2 January 2016 at Sharjah

Highest ODI scores for Afghanistan

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

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

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	31	20	10	0	1	66.66	2014	2024
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	175	85	84	1	5	50.29	2009	2024
Statistics are correct as of  Afghanistan v  Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club, Harare, 3rd ODI, 21 December 2024

Twenty20 Internationals

• 12 consecutive wins, a record in the men's T20Is (5 February 2018 - 15 September 2019).
• Highest team total: 278/3 v. Ireland, 23 February 2019, at Dehradun
• Lowest team total: 56 v. South Africa, 26 June 2024, at Tarouba
• Highest individual score: 162*, Hazratullah Zazai v. Ireland, 23 February 2019, at Dehradun
• Best individual bowling figures: 5/3, Rashid Khan v. Ireland, 10 March 2017 at Greater Noida

T20I record versus other nations

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

Tournament history

ICC Cricket World Cup

Year	Round	Played	Won	Tied	Lost	Captain
1975	Not eligible – not an ICC Member
1979
1983
1987
1992
1996
1999
2003	Not an ICC Member at time of qualifying
2007	Did not qualify
2011
2015	Group stage	6	1	0	5	Mohammad Nabi
2019	Group stage	9	0	0	9	Gulbadin Naib
2023	Group stage	9	4	0	5	Hashmatullah Shahidi
Total	Group stage	24	5	0	19	–

ICC Trophy/ICC World Cup Qualifier

• 1979–2001: Not eligible, not an ICC Member
• 2005: Did not qualify
• 2009: 5th place
• 2018: Champions

ICC T20 World Cup

T20 World Cup record
Year	Round	Position	GP	W	L	T	NR
2007	Did not qualify
2009
2010	Group Stage	12/12	2	0	2	0	0
2012		11/12	2	0	2	0	0
2014		14/16	3	1	2	0	0
2016	Super 10	9/16	7	4	3	0	0
2021	Super 12	7/16	5	2	3	0	0
2022	Super 12	12/16	5	0	3	0	2
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

ICC Champions Trophy record
Year	Round	Position	GP	W	L	T	NR
1998	Not an ICC member
2000
2002
2004	Did not qualify
2006
2009
2013
2017
2025	Qualified
2029	TBD

ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier

• 2009: Not eligible, not an ODI nation at time of tournament
• 2010: Winners
• 2012: Runners-up
• 2013: Runners-up
• 2015: 5th position

ICC Intercontinental Cup

• 2009–10: Winners
• 2011–13: Runners-up
• 2015-17: Winners

ICC World Cricket League

• 2008
  • Division Five winners
  • Division Four winners
• 2009
  • Division Three winners
• 2010
  • Division One 3rd Place
• 2011–13
  • Championship Runners Up

Asian Games

Asian Games record
Year	Round	Position	GP	W	L	T	NR
2010	Silver Medal	2/9	3	2	1	0	0
2014	Silver Medal	2/10	3	2	1	0	0
2022	Silver Medal	2/14	3	2	0	0	1
Total	Silver Medal	2nd	9	6	2	0	1

Asia Cup

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

ACC Premier League

• 2014: Winners

ACC Trophy

• 1996–2002: Not eligible, not an ACC Member.
• 2004: 6th place
• 2006: 3rd place
• 2008: 3rd place (Elite)
• 2010: Winners (Elite)

ACC Twenty20 Cup

Year	Round	Position	GP	W	L	T	NR
2007	Joint champion with Oman	1/10	6	4	1	1	0
2009	Champion	1/12	7	7	0	0	0
2011	Champion	1/10	6	6	0	0	0
2013	Champion	1/10	6	5	1	0	0
2015	Did not participate

ACC Under-19 Cup

• 2014: 4th place
• 2017: Winners

Desert T20 Challenge

• 2017: Winners

Middle East Cup

• 2006: Runners-up

Honours

Others

• Asian Games
  • Silver Medal (3): 2010, 2014, 2022

See also

• Cricket in Afghanistan
• Afghanistan at the Cricket World Cup
• Afghanistan women's national cricket team
• List of Afghanistan Test cricketers
• List of Afghanistan ODI cricketers
• List of Afghanistan T20I cricketers
• List of Afghanistan first-class cricketers
• Afghan national cricket captains
• List of Afghanistan Twenty20 International cricket records
• Afghanistan A cricket team
• Out of the Ashes (2010 film), a 2010 documentary film
• Afghanistan–Pakistan cricket rivalry

Notes

References

1. "Rashid Khan appointed Afghanistan's T20I captain". Sportstar. 29 December 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
2. "Rashid Khan replaces Mohammad Nabi as Afghanistan T20I captain". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
3. "ICC Test Ranking, Afganistan rise to # 9 position". India Today. 1 May 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
4. "Afghanistan cricket secures place among top 10 in ICC ODI rankings". Khaama Press. 26 December 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
5. "Afghanistan break into ODI top 10". cricket.com.au. 28 December 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
6. "Afganistan ranks 7th in ICC T20I rankings". Bakhtar News. 5 May 2019. Archived from the original on 20 February 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
7. "ICC Rankings". International Cricket Council.
8. "Test matches - Team records". ESPNcricinfo.
9. "Test matches - 2024 Team records". ESPNcricinfo.
10. "ODI matches - Team records". ESPNcricinfo.
11. "ODI matches - 2024 Team records". ESPNcricinfo.
12. "T20I matches - Team records". ESPNcricinfo.
13. "T20I matches - 2024 Team records". ESPNcricinfo.
14. Arvind, Rawat. "Afghanistan Cricket: A Journey Through Passion and Perseverance". stumpsinfo. Arvind. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
15. Morgan, Roy (2007). The Encyclopedia of World Cricket. Cheltenham: SportsBooks. p. 15. ISBN 978-1-89980-751-2. Afghanistan cricket team was started to play world cup in 2015
16. ^ "Afghanistan". Asian Cricket Council. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
17. "Afghanistan, Ireland get Test status". ESPN CricInfo. Archived from the original on 1 July 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
18. Hoult, Nick (22 June 2017). "Ireland and Afghanistan granted Test status after becoming 11th and 12th full ICC members". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
19. "Afghanistan cricket fans recall centuries-old Dehradun link". Hindustan Times. 7 June 2018. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
20. "Cricket diplomacy: Doon to be Afghanistan team's new home". The Times of India. 14 June 2018. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
21. "Men's T20I Team Rankings". International Cricket Council. 7 June 2018. Archived from the original on 6 January 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
22. ^ "Cricket: Politics spices up ahead of Pakistan-Afghanistan match". TRT World. 28 June 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
23. ^ Monga, Sidharth (28 June 2019). "An opportunity to keep the Afghanistan-Pakistan rivalry dignified". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
24. ^ "Afghanistan cricket teams play in Pakistan". The Express Tribune. 29 April 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
25. ^ Wigmore, Tim (22 August 2014). "The man who gave Afghanistan their mojo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
26. "Pool B - Scorecards". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
27. ^ "Afghanistan to compete in Pakistan's domestic league". Sydney Morning Herald. 20 August 2003. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
28. "Cornelius Trophy 2002-03 (Associations)". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
29. "Inter District Senior, 2003-04 (Peshawar Region) Scorecards - Pool A". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
30. ^ "A Timeline of Afghanistan Cricket". CricketEurope. Archived from the original on 21 September 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
31. ^ "Afghanistan win a thrilling final". WCL Division Five Official Site. 31 May 2008. Archived from the original on 19 September 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
32. ^ Farooq, Umar (22 March 2013). "Afghanistan sign up for Pakistan support". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
33. Rasool, Danyal (26 December 2020). "Aaron Summers set to be first Australian to play Pakistan domestic cricket". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
34. ^ "ICC Media Release: Afghanistan and Uganda seal place in ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier". CricketEurope. 31 January 2009. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
35. "Afghanistan upset Pakistan to reach final". ESPNcricinfo. 25 November 2010. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
36. "Pakistan A sweep series with hard-fought win". ESPNcricinfo. 29 May 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
37. "Afghan Cheetahs". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
38. ^ "Scorecard: Afghanistan v Scotland, 19 April 2009". CricketArchive. Archived from the original on 10 June 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
39. Lyall, Rod (22 December 2009). "2009: The Year of the Afghans". CricketEurope. Archived from the original on 2 March 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
40. ^ "ACC Twenty20 Cup". CricketEurope. Archived from the original on 20 August 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
41. "UAE v Afghanistan, 30 November 2009". CricketArchive. Archived from the original on 14 November 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
42. at CricketArchive
43. "Afghanistan v Ireland, 1 February 2010". CricketArchive.
44. ^ "World Twenty20 Cup Qualifier". CricketEurope. Archived from the original on 7 September 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
45. "Afghanistan v. India". CricketArchive. Archived from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
46. "Afghanistan v. South Africa". CricketArchive. Archived from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
47. ^ "2009–10 Intercontinental Cup". CricketEurope. Archived from the original on 24 February 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
48. "Afghanistan v Nepal, 9 April 2010". CricketArchive. Archived from the original on 12 November 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
49. ^ "2010 WCL Division One". CricketEurope. Archived from the original on 29 September 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
50. ^ "Afghanistan v Bangladesh, 26 November 2010". CricketArchive. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
51. "2011–13 Intercontinental Cup results". CricketEurope. Archived from the original on 19 June 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
52. "2011–13 Intercontinental Cup One-day results". CricketEurope. Archived from the original on 29 July 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
53. Sundar, Nitin (9 February 2012). "A landmark in the Afghanistan journey". ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
54. "Afghanistan's 17-year journey to Test cricket". International Cricket Council. 13 June 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
55. "Cricket: Even Taliban seduced by Afghanistan success story". The Express Tribune. 11 February 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
56. "Afghanistan hit Scotland World Cup hopes". ESPN Cricinfo. 8 March 2013. Archived from the original on 5 January 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
57. "Dawlatzai stars with eleven wickets". ESPN Cricinfo. 14 March 2013. Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
58. "Afghanistan break into top 10 of ODI rankings". ESPN Cricinfo. 27 December 2015. Archived from the original on 29 December 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
59. Gollapudi, Nagraj (28 June 2013). "Afghanistan get Associate membership". ESPN Cricinfo. Archived from the original on 17 September 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
60. Farooq, Umar (18 April 2013). "Afghanistan allocated $422,000 by ICC for assistance". ESPN Cricinfo. Archived from the original on 19 January 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
61. Farooq, Umar (22 March 2013). "Afghanistan sign up for Pakistan support". ESPN Cricinfo. Archived from the original on 16 September 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
62. Wadir, Zabihullah Safi (27 June 2013). "Afghanistan cricket receives associate status". Sport.af. Archived from the original on 2 November 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
63. Passa, Dennis (18 February 2015). "Hands on heart, Afghanistan's cricket team makes history by playing 1st match at World Cup". U.S. News & World Report. Archived from the original on 16 August 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
64. "7th Match, Pool A: Afghanistan v Bangladesh at Canberra, Feb 18, 2015 - Cricket Scorecard". ESPN Cricinfo. Archived from the original on 10 July 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
65. "ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 (Match 36): Pakistan vs Afghanistan – Statistical Highlights". Cricket Addictor. 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
66. "AFG vs ENG, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023/24, 13th Match at Delhi, October 15, 2023 - Full Scorecard".
67. "Afghanistan seal historic win over Pakistan in Chennai thriller". BBC Sport. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
68. Samiuddin, Osman; Gollapudi, Nagraj (4 February 2017). "Big-Three rollback begins, BCCI opposes". ESPN Cricinfo. Archived from the original on 5 February 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
69. "Afghanistan to host Ireland in India in March 2017". ESPN Cricinfo. 25 July 2016. Archived from the original on 26 July 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
70. "Afghanistan, West Indies to play three T20Is, three ODIs in June". ESPN Cricinfo. 29 March 2017. Archived from the original on 10 June 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
71. Krishnaswamy, Karthik (4 June 2017). "Samuels' 89* completes West Indies sweep". ESPN Cricinfo. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
72. "Afghanistan secure World Cup berth". ESPN CricInfo. 4 October 2013. Archived from the original on 17 September 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
73. "Former India batsman Lalchand Rajput named Afghanistan coach". ESPN CricInfo. 25 June 2016. Archived from the original on 28 June 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
74. "Aim to be in top six in ODIs by 2019 - Afghanistan CEO". ESPN Cricinfo. 12 July 2016. Archived from the original on 15 July 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
75. Della Penna, Peter (13 July 2016). "Afghanistan hopeful of bilateral ODIs in India". ESPN Cricinfo. Archived from the original on 14 July 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
76. "Afghanistan set to play first full series against West Indies". ESPN Cricinfo. 25 July 2016. Archived from the original on 26 July 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
77. "Ireland, Afghanistan set to play nine matches in India". Cricbuzz. 25 July 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
78. "ICC votes for Afghanistan, Ireland as Test playing nations". WION TV. 22 June 2017. Archived from the original on 28 June 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
79. "Afghanistan to make Test debut in India". International Cricket Council. 11 December 2017. Archived from the original on 12 December 2017. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
80. Gollapudi, Nagraj (12 December 2017). "Ireland, Afghanistan set to play consistent Test cricket". ESPN Cricinfo. Archived from the original on 13 December 2017. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
81. "Historic India-Afghanistan Test from June 14 in Bengaluru". The Times of India. 16 January 2018. Archived from the original on 17 January 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
82. "India, Afghanistan Test in June". Asian News International. 16 January 2018. Archived from the original on 17 January 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
83. Shashank Kishore. "Afghanistan chase historic Test win after Rashid Khan's five-for". ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
84. Varun Shetty. "Rahmat Shah, Ihsanullah see Afghanistan through to historic maiden Test win". ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
85. "'Afghanistan Will Play in ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021'". www.news18.com. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
86. "Doubts over Pakistan-Afghanistan cricket series after Taliban takeover". DAWN.COM. 16 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
87. Gupta, Gaurav (19 August 2021). "Is cricket on safe ground in Afghanistan?". The Times of India. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
88. Aldred, Tanya (31 August 2021). "Afghanistan women's cricketers left feeling abandoned by authorities". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
89. "Taliban has no objection to Afghanistan's cricket series against Pakistan in Sri Lanka". The New Indian Express. 19 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
90. "Afghanistan's series with Pakistan to go ahead despite Taliban's takeover of the country". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
91. "Pakistan-Afghanistan confirm ODI series postponement". www.pcb.com.pk. 10 January 2014. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
92. Babar, Um-E-Aymen (2 November 2024). "Banned, ignored and still in exile: The story of the Afghanistan women's cricket team who fled for safety". SkySports. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
93. "Afghanistan Has A New Home Ground". Asian Cricket Council. 22 February 2010. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
94. "India to host Afghanistan home games". ESPN Cricinfo. 10 December 2015. Archived from the original on 13 December 2015. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
95. Lokapally, Vijay (2 December 2015). "Soon a Noida home for Afghan cricketers". The Hindu. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
96. "First-Class Matches played on Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground, Greater Noida (1)". CricketArchive. Archived from the original on 11 December 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
97. "Cricket diplomacy: Doon to be Afghanistan team's new home". Times of India. 14 June 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
98. "ACB asks BCCI for new base with better logistics". Sportstar (The Hindu). 16 May 2019. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
99. "ACB asks BCCI for new base with better logistics". CricketNext (News18). 8 August 2019. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
100. "Statistics / Statsguru / Combined Test, ODI and T20I records / Team records". ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
101. "Afghanistan seek to join Ireland as qualifiers for ICC Cricket World Cup 2015". Cricket Ireland. 30 September 2013. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
102. "Afghanistan vs Ireland 2023/24 > Photos". ESPNcricinfo. 12 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
103. "Day 1 Highlights, Only Test, Ireland Tour of Afghanistan 2024". Afghanistan Cricket Board on YouTube. 29 February 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
104. "Sport Sponsorship: Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) Sponsorship". Etisalat. 12 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
105. "ACB Extend Commercial Partnership with Super Cola for 2024". Super Cola on Facebook. 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
106. "Official sponsors of the top ten cricket teams". Cricket Now 24/7. 6 November 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
107. https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/tournament/averages-batting-bowling-by-team/ahmad-shah-abdali-4-day-tournament-2023-15657
108. https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/tournament/averages-batting-bowling-by-team/ghazi-amanullah-khan-regional-one-day-tournament-2023-24-15892
109. https://www.facebook.com/AfghanistanCricketBoardOfficial/posts/pfbid02FVPA6b1EpKc3kD3Jjz7JkqoQqhSwuxZeXpJDofpygEgfEETkyQEEytGeeAnhTeLil
110. "Records / Afghanistan / Tests / Result summary". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
111. "Records / Afghanistan / One-Day Internationals / Result summary". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
112. "Records / Afghanistan / Twenty20 Internationals / Result summary". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
113. "Records / Afghanistan / Test Cricket / Highest totals". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
114. "Records / Afghanistan / Test Cricket / Lowest totals". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
115. "Records / Afghanistan / Test Cricket / Most runs". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
116. "Records / Afghanistan / Test Cricket / Most wickets". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
117. "High scores: Afghanistan – Test Cricket". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
118. "Best bowling figures: Afghanistan – Test Cricket". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
119. "Sri Lanka Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
120. "Records / Afghanistan / One-Day Internationals / Highest totals". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
121. "Records / Afghanistan / One-Day Internationals / Lowest totals". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
122. "Records / Afghanistan / One-Day Internationals / Most runs". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
123. "Records / Afghanistan / One-Day Internationals / Most wickets". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
124. "High scores: Afghanistan – One-Day Internationals". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
125. "Best bowling figures: Afghanistan – One-Day Internationals". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
126. "Records / Afghanistan / ODI matches / Result summary". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
127. "12 Consecutive Wins In T20 International - A Record By Afghanistan". FantasyCricketTip. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
128. "Afghanistan cricket records". ESPN Cricinfo.
129. "Records / Afghanistan / Twenty20 Internationals / Lowest totals". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
130. "Records / Afghanistan / Twenty20 Internationals / High scores". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
131. "Records / Afghanistan / Twenty20 Internationals / Best bowling figures in an innings". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
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.

External links

• "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.

v t e Afghanistan national cricket team
Test Status since 2017 Based in India
Team	Cricket in Afghanistan Afghan national cricket captains
Grounds	Home grounds List of cricket grounds in Afghanistan Secondary Home grounds Sharjah Cricket Stadium Greater Noida Sports Complex Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Dehradun Ekana International Cricket Stadium
Key personnel	Governing Body Afghanistan Cricket Board Coach Jonathan Trott Captain Test & ODI Hashmatullah Shahidi T20I Rashid Khan

v t e Cricket in Afghanistan
Afghanistan Cricket Board
National teams National teams Men Women (defunct) Afghanistan A U-19
Regional cricket Teams Amo Region Band-e-Amir Region Boost Region Mis Ainak Region Spin Ghar Region Competitions Ahmad Shah Abdali 4-day Tournament 2014-15 2015-16 2016–17 2017–18 2018 2019 2021 2022 2024–25 Mirwais Nika Provincial 3-Day 2022 Ghazi Amanullah Khan Regional One Day Tournament 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Qosh Tepa National T20 Cup 2024
Franchise cricket Teams Amo Sharks Band-e-Amir Dragons Boost Defenders Hindukush Stars Kabul Eagles Mis Ainak Knights Pamir Zalmi Spin Ghar Tigers Maiwand Defenders Competitions Green Afghanistan One Day Cup 2022 2023 Shpageeza Cricket League 2014 2015–16 2016 2017 2019 2020 2022 2024
Provincial cricket Teams Balkh Faryab Helmand Herat Kabul Kandahar Khost Kunar Kunduz Maidan Wardak Paktia Logar Nangarhar Competitions Mirwais Nika Provincial 3-Day 2018–19 Provincial 2-Day 2016 Provincial One-day Cup 2016 2017 2019 2020 2021–22 2022–23
Other Grounds Balkh Ghazi Amanullah (Jalalabad) Kabul Kandahar Khost Kunduz Others Player lists Test cricketers ODI cricketers T20I cricketers Captains

v t e National sports teams of Afghanistan
Badminton Bandy Baseball Basketball M W 3x3 Beach soccer Cricket M W U19 Field hockey Football M U23 U20 U17 W Futsal Handball M W Rugby sevens Volleyball M W
Olympics Paralympics Deaflympics Asian Games

• National cricket teams
• National sports teams of Afghanistan
• Afghanistan in international cricket
• Cricket teams in Afghanistan
• 2001 establishments in Afghanistan
• Laureus World Sports Awards winners