ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Afghanistan consistently outperforms top teams in ICC events. What gives them an edge over other emerging nations?
The 2025 Champions Trophy is entering its climax, with four teams left in the race to become crowned champions. However, the team that has truly stolen the spotlight in this tournament is Afghanistan, who bravely bowed out after their final group-stage match against Australia.
Led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afghanistan delivered yet another memorable performance in the marquee event, further solidifying their growing stature in international cricket. In what is considered a contender for the match of the tournament, Afghanistan edged out England by 8 runs in a thrilling encounter in Lahore on February 26.
This is not the first time Afghanistan made waves in an ICC event. They have consistently upset top teams in recent years. In the 2023 World Cup alone, they defeated three former champions—Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and England—and nearly overcame Australia if not for Glenn Maxwell’s brilliance. They carried this momentum into the T20 World Cup, where they reached the semi-finals after impressive wins against Australia and New Zealand.
So, how has Afghanistan managed to rise through the ranks despite facing significant limitations in cricketing infrastructure and facilities?
No dearth of talent in Afghanistan
While they may have a shortage of resources, one thing Afghanistan is certainly not lacking is talent. The country continues to produce skilled cricketers across all departments of the game. Cricket is a passion in Afghanistan, and young players have inspiring role models in champion cricketers like Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi.
Following in their footsteps, players like Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, and Allah Ghazanfar have risen through the ranks, particularly in white-ball cricket. As a team, Afghanistan have played much of its cricket in the UAE, and many of their players are actively competing in various T20 leagues worldwide. This has provided them with invaluable exposure to high-quality cricket. Read More: Afghanistan's incredible journey to the semi-final stage of T20 World Cup 2024
Well-rounded future-proof squad
Afghanistan boast a strong group of talented batters, including Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, and Rahmat Shah, who have the ability to construct long innings. They also have one of the finest all-rounders in the game today, Azmatullah Omarzai, along with a world-class spin attack.
Coupled with a decent pace bowling unit and ample inspiration, Afghanistan have managed to build a well-balanced squad with most of its bases covered. Many of these players are still in the early stages of their careers and are eager to take their game to the next level. This talented group has already caused major upsets in multinational tournaments, and it's only a matter of time before they start doing so consistently.
Fearless approach under Jonathan Trott
For the past few years, former England cricketer Jonathan Trott has been at the helm as Afghanistan’s head coach. He has instilled a winning mentality in the squad, which is evident in their recent performances in major tournaments.
The players have embraced this mindset by playing fearless, positive cricket, with at least five to six individuals capable of delivering match-winning performances at any given time. Now, the responsibility lies with them to carry this momentum forward and continue their brave style of play. If they do, even the strongest opponents will find them a formidable challenge.
Afghanistan’s rise in international cricket has been nothing short of sensational. Their rapid growth stands in stark contrast to another Asian side, Bangladesh, who have struggled to find consistency despite more than 25 years in international cricket. While Afghanistan is still in a growth phase, their steady progress suggests that they will soon start defeating top-tier teams more frequently. Read More: From being white-ball world champions in 2022 to being also rans by 2025: England's tragic story
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