Afghanistan’s consistency since T20 World Cup 2024 puts them ahead of Pakistan as second favourites for Asia Cup 2025.
Afghanistan enter the Asia Cup 2025 as a formidable force, one that has redefined expectations and inspired admiration across the cricket world. Their T20I journey, which has witnessed relentless growth, high-spirited play, and a rapidly rising win rate, surely places them next in line behind India. Are Afghanistan now the clear second favourites after India? The numbers, character, and recent heroics say yes.
A meteoric rise of Afghanistan
Once viewed as underdogs, Afghanistan have blossomed into a cricketing powerhouse. Since their T20I debut in 2010, the team’s journey is a lesson in resilience, self-belief, and sheer skill. From qualifying through the ranks to beating top-tier sides and making the T20 World Cup semifinals, they’ve become synonymous with ambition and progress. Over the past two years, their improvement is not cosmetic, their stats, especially after the 2024 T20 World Cup, paint the story of a team whose upward trajectory shows no sign of slowing.
Read More: History of Asia Cup in T20 format: Top batters, bowlers & other numbers
Comparative performance
To objectively assess Afghanistan’s standing, here is a comparison of four major Asian T20I teams since the 2024 T20 World Cup:
| Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Tied | Win %age |
| India | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 77.7 |
| Afghanistan | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 62.5 |
| Pakistan | 27 | 13 | 14 | 0 | 48.1 |
| Sri Lanka | 11 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 45.4 |
Afghanistan’s consistent ascent
Afghanistan’s results in T20Is since the 2024 T20 World Cup have only confirmed their status as a serious contender. With a win percentage that now dwarfs Pakistan’s and Sri Lanka’s, their performance graph in T20Is has shown steady, linear growth. While teams like Pakistan and Sri Lanka have witnessed fluctuations, Afghanistan’s trajectory is unmistakably upward.
Iconic Battles & Famous Victories
Afghanistan’s rise has been marked by some truly iconic wins against world-class teams. Their historic series victory over Pakistan in Sharjah in 2023 was a turning point, proving they could beat a traditional giant. They carried that momentum into global tournaments, stunning New Zealand in Guyana, defeating Australia in the 2024 World Cup group stage.
One of their most thrilling performances came against India in Bengaluru in 2024, where they matched a huge chase of 212 and forced a Super Over.
Apart from these giant-killing moments, Afghanistan has also built a reputation for dominating other competitive sides. They have consistently outplayed teams like Ireland and Zimbabwe, while maintaining an unbeaten record against Scotland in T20Is.
Even in low-scoring games, they’ve shown incredible composure, such as their unforgettable 6-run win over Bangladesh in 2018, where they defended a modest total with nerves of steel.
Read More: Asia Cup 2025: India squad analysis & Probable XI
A team with zeal to win
Afghanistan’s batting lineup has matured beautifully. Batters like Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran bring aggression and innovation up front, while stabilizers like the veteran Mohammad Nabi add steel to the middle order.
Zadran and Gurbaz will be the key for them at the top of the order as they are the two leading scorers for Afghanistan in 2024.
The batters, especially in the last year, have become adept at chasing, posted superb totals (over 210 against India in 2024), and frequently torn apart new ball attacks, demonstrating both zeal and temperament.
Afghanistan’s biggest strength remains a varied, world-class bowling attack. Rashid Khan (now T20I’s top wicket-taker) is a sure shot match winner for Afghanistan 130+ wickets, the best T20I strike rate, and history of shutting down big oppositions.
Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Mujeeb ur Rahman form a deadly support cast, routinely delivering economy rates around 8 and striking crucial blows at the top and death.
Bowling-defended victories, such as low-scoring thrillers, have defined Afghanistan. Their ability to defend modest totals against both stronger and peer teams signals composure and craft.
Read More: India’s bowlers have taken 185 wickets in middle overs (7-15) in T20Is post T20 World Cup 2022
Spirit, character & cricketing ethos
What truly sets this Afghanistan team apart is character. Even at their youngest, they have played the game the right way, displaying high spirits, emotional commitment, and a fierce sense of fair play. Amid adversity and incredibly challenging beginnings, Afghanistan have never resorted to shortcuts or controversy. Their emotional investment in each game is palpable: few teams celebrate wickets, boundaries, or victories with as much heart.
This Afghan team is arguably the youngest core group in the top tier. Never content to just participate, they are eager for the big prize, an attitude apparent in tight matches and comebacks. Their belief that they can win any tournament sets them apart from Asian counterparts Pakistan and Sri Lanka, where cycles of uncertainty and rebuilding have led to inconsistent results.
Why Afghanistan start as second favourites?
With India in a league of their own, Afghanistan now outmatch Pakistan and Sri Lanka on recent form, skill depth, and spirit. Pakistan, with a lower win percentage and frequent internal churn, and Sri Lanka, who recently posted unwanted records for most T20I losses in history, both lag behind.
Afghanistan have a settled, hungry squad, peerless bowling variation, emerging batting muscle, and a collective will matured by adversity. Their narrative is no longer about hope but about expectation.
Afghanistan’s Asia Cup squad
Rashid Khan (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Ishaq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fareed Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Afghanistan’s group stage schedule
9 September – Afghanistan vs Hong Kong, Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
16 September – Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, Sheikh Zayed Stadium
18 September – Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, Sheikh Zayed Stadium
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