Time is right for Afghanistan’s long walk from promise to silverware

Asia Cup 2025: Afghanistan Aims for Silverware

After a decade of heart-stopping performances, Afghanistan is ready to put their promise into action. They've assembled a stellar bowling lineup, with Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and Fazalhaq Farooqi leading the charge.

Key Strengths

• Spin arsenal: Afghanistan boasts three of the seven bowlers with 100-plus T20 wickets since January 2024, with Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and Fazalhaq Farooqi leading the pack.
• Talent pool: A mix of experienced and emerging players, including 18-year-old mystery spinner AM Ghazanfar, who has already made waves in international leagues.

Weaknesses

• Batting concerns: Afghanistan's middle-order has been a pain point, with openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran doing most of the heavy lifting.
• Middle-order woes: After last year's T20 World Cup semifinal humbling, head coach Jonathan Trott identified the need for more consistent batters in the middle order.

Players to Watch

• Sediqullah Atal: The 24-year-old left-hander has shown promise and could be the future of Afghanistan's batting, with 154 runs in four innings in the recent tri-series.

Key Matches

• Bangladesh vs Afghanistan: A crucial encounter on September 16, with both teams seeking their first major multi-nation trophy.
• Banana peel fixture: Afghanistan faces off against struggling Sri Lanka on September 19, which could be a giant-killing opportunity.

Upcoming Fixtures

• September 9: vs Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi
• September 16: vs Bangladesh, Abu Dhabi
• September 19: vs Sri Lanka, Abu Dhabi