Afghanistan is ready for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 with a potent squad boasting a blend of experience and youthful exuberance. Led by the ever-reliable Rashid Khan, the team aims to make a strong impression in the West Indies and USA. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Afghan contingent, including the full player list, coaching staff, captaincy, details on the grounds they’ll be playing on, and their upcoming fixtures.
Cricket arrived in Afghanistan in the 19th century, but its development was hampered by years of conflict. Despite the turmoil, a deep love for the game persisted. In the early 2000s, following the fall of the Taliban regime, cricket emerged as a beacon of hope and national pride.
The Afghanistan men’s national cricket team represents Afghanistan in international cricket. 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.
Afghanistan Cricket Team Players, Current squad
This is Afghanistan team for T20 World Cup 2024 Team, Afghanistan Cricket Team Players for other Tournament like Cricket World Cup.
| Name | Age | Batting style | Bowling style | List A Team | T20 Team | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batters | ||||||||||||
| Ibrahim Zadran | 22 | Right-handed | Right-arm medium-fast | Hindukush Strikers | Mis Ainak | |||||||
| Hashmatullah Shahidi | 29 | Left-handed | Right-arm off break | Maiwand Defenders | Band-e-Amir | |||||||
| Rahmat Shah | 30 | Right-handed | Right-arm leg break | Pamir Legends | Boost | |||||||
| Nasir Jamal | 30 | Right-handed | Right-arm leg break | Band-e-Amir | Boost | |||||||
| Noor Ali Zadran | 35 | Right-handed | — | Maiwand Defenders | ||||||||
| Najibullah Zadran | 31 | Left-handed | Right-arm off break | Hindukush Strikers | Boost | |||||||
| Abdul Malik | 26 | Right-handed | Right-arm off break | Amo | Amo | |||||||
| Bahir Shah | 24 | Right-handed | Right-arm off break | Speen-Ghar | Speen-Ghar | |||||||
| Hazratullah Zazai | 26 | Left-handed | — | Pamir Legends | Boost | |||||||
| Sediqullah Atal | 22 | Left-handed | — | Band-e-Amir | Band-e-Amir | |||||||
| Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai | 20 | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | Amo | Amo | |||||||
| Riaz Hassan | 21 | Right-handed | — | Pamir Legends | Band-e-Amir | |||||||
| All-rounders | ||||||||||||
| Karim Janat | 25 | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | Band-e-Amir | Band-e-Amir | |||||||
| Mohammad Nabi | 39 | Right-handed | Right-arm off break | Kabul Eagles | ||||||||
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 24 | Right-handed | Right-arm medium-fast | Maiwand Defenders | Kabul Eagles | |||||||
| Gulbadin Naib | 33 | Right-handed | Right-arm medium-fast | Pamir Legends | Amo | |||||||
| Nangeyalia Kharote | 20 | Left-handed | Slow left-arm orthodox | Boost | Boost | |||||||
| Wicket-keepers | ||||||||||||
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 22 | Right-handed | — | Mis Ainak | Kabul Eagles | |||||||
| Ikram Alikhil | 23 | Left-handed | — | Maiwand Defenders | Band-e-Amir | |||||||
| Mohammad Ishaq | 19 | Right-handed | — | Boost | Amo | |||||||
| Spin Bowlers | ||||||||||||
| Zahir Khan | 25 | Left-handed | Left-arm wrist spin | Mis Ainak | Amo | |||||||
| Zia-ur-Rehman | 26 | Right-handed | Slow left-arm orthodox | Mis Ainak | Mis Ainak | |||||||
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 23 | Right-handed | Right-arm off break | Hindukush Stars | Hindukush Stars | |||||||
| Qais Ahmad | 23 | Right-handed bat | Right-arm leg break | Maiwand Defenders | Speen-Ghar | |||||||
| Rashid Khan | 25 | Right-handed | Right-arm leg break | Band-e-Amir Dragons | ||||||||
| Noor Ahmad | 19 | Right-handed | Left-arm wrist spin | Mis Ainak | Band-e-Amir Dragons | |||||||
| Allah Ghazanfar | 16 | Right-handed | Right-arm off break | Junior Champions | Mis Ainak Knights | |||||||
| Khalil Gurbaz | Right-handed | Right-arm leg break | Mis Ainak | Mis Ainak | ||||||||
| Pace Bowlers | ||||||||||||
| Nijat Masod | 25 | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | Band-e-Amir | Band-e-Amir | |||||||
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 23 | Right-handed | Left-arm fast-medium | Amo | Boost Defenders | |||||||
| Naveed Zadran | 19 | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | Mis Ainak | Mis Ainak | |||||||
| Fareed Ahmad | 29 | Left-handed | Left-arm fast-medium | Pamir Legends | Speen-Ghar | |||||||
| Naveen-ul-Haq | 24 | Right-handed | Right-arm medium-fast | Kabul Eagles | ||||||||
| Wafadar Momand | 24 | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | Band-e-Amir | Band-e-Amir | |||||||
| Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai | 25 | Right-handed | Right-arm fast-medium | Speen-Ghar | Speen-Ghar | |||||||
| Bilal Sami | 21 | Right-handed | Right-arm fast | Amo | Band-e-Amir | |||||||
Afghanistan Squad For T20 World Cup 2024
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) (wicket-keeper)
- Ibrahim Zadran (batsman)
- Najibullah Zadran (batsman)
- Mohammad Ishaq (wk) (wicket-keeper)
- Azmatullah Omarzai (all-rounder)
- Mohammad Nabi (all-rounder)
- Gulbadin Naib (all-rounder)
- Karim Janat (all-rounder)
- Rashid Khan (c) (captain & leg-spinner)
- Nangyal Kharoti (off-spinner)
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman (off-spinner)
- Noor Ahmad (leg-spinner)
- Naveen-ul-Haq (fast bowler)
- Fazalhaq Farooqi (fast bowler)
- Fareed Ahmad Malik (fast bowler)
Current Afghanistan Ranking in Different Formats
- Test Ranking: Unfortunately, Afghanistan doesn’t have a current Test ranking. They achieved Test status in 2017, but due to limited opportunities to play Test matches, they haven’t yet accumulated enough ranking points to be included in the official ICC Test Team Rankings.
- ODI Ranking: Afghanistan is currently ranked 10th in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League and ODI Team Rankings. This signifies their consistent performance and progress in the ODI format.
- T20I Ranking (Indirect): There’s no separate ranking system for T20Is. However, the ICC uses the ODI rankings to determine seeding for the T20 World Cup. Since Afghanistan is ranked 10th in ODIs, this provides an indication of their potential standing in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Who is Captain of Afghanistan Cricket Team?
- T20I Captain (including the 2024 T20 World Cup): Rashid Khan is the current captain. He’s a world-renowned leg-spinner and a proven leader who brings strategic thinking and experience to the role.
- Test Captain: Afghanistan doesn’t have an official announcement for the Test captaincy yet (as of May 18, 2024).
Support staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Director of cricket | Raees Ahmadzai |
| Head coach | Jonathan Trott |
| Batting coach | Andrew Puttick |
| Bowling coach | Hamid Hassan |
| Fielding coach | Shane McDermott |
| Strength and Conditioning coach | Jason Douglas |
Afghanistan Cricket team Home Ground?
- Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, UAE: This stadium was historically their designated home ground for many years after they achieved ODI status in 2009. It witnessed many of Afghanistan’s early victories and is a familiar venue for the team.
- Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE: Another popular option in the UAE, this modern stadium with a large capacity has hosted several high-profile Afghanistan matches in recent years.
Current Top Afghanistan Players Ranking in Different Formats
Players ICC Ranking in Different Formats
- Rashid Khan: A world-class leg-spinner and captain of the T20I team.
- Mohammad Nabi: A highly skilled all-rounder known for his consistent batting and bowling performances.
- Hashmatullah Shahidi: A dependable opening batsman and Test captain (potential).
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz: An aggressive opening batsman known for his explosive batting style.
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman: A talented young off-spinner who has impressed with his wicket-taking abilities.
What are Afghanistan’s biggest achievements in cricket?
- From Affiliate Member to ODI and Test Status: In a short span, Afghanistan rose from an Affiliate Member (2001) to achieving ODI status in 2009 and then the coveted Test status in 2017. This rapid climb through the ICC rankings highlights their exceptional talent and dedication.
- Giant-Killing Upsets: Afghanistan has a reputation for pulling off unexpected victories against established cricketing nations. Some notable examples include:
- 2019 Cricket World Cup: They defeated India, a major upset that sent shockwaves through the cricketing world.
- 2023 Cricket World Cup: Victories against giants like England and Pakistan showcased their ability to compete at the highest level.
- Dominant Spin Bowling Attack:
- Afghanistan boasts a world-class spin attack, considered one of the best in contemporary cricket. Spinners like Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi have bamboozled batsmen from all corners of the globe. This potent spin weapon is a major factor in their success.
Afghanistan Cricket Team Next Fixtures 2024
- June 4, 2024 (12:30 AM UTC): Afghanistan vs Uganda (Providence Stadium, Georgetown, Guyana)
- June 7, 2024 (11:30 PM UTC): New Zealand vs Afghanistan (Providence Stadium, Georgetown,Guyana)
- June 14, 2024 (12:30 AM UTC): Afghanistan vs Papua New Guinea (Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago)
- June 18, 2024 (12:30 AM UTC): West Indies vs Afghanistan (Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Saint Lucia)
Afghanistan Cricket Team History
The story of Afghanistan cricket is nothing short of extraordinary. It’s a tale of unwavering passion blossoming amidst the dust of war, a testament to the unifying power of sport. Cricket arrived in Afghanistan during the 19th century, but years of conflict stunted its development. However, a spark ignited in the early 2000s with the fall of the Taliban regime. Cricket emerged as a beacon of hope and national pride, offering a sense of normalcy and a platform for national unity.
The year 2001 marked a turning point. The Afghanistan Cricket Federation (ACF) was formed, laying the groundwork for organized cricket within the country. Soon after, in 2003, they became an Affiliate Member of the ICC, opening the doors to compete on the international stage. Their first international victory in 2004 against Nepal in the ACC Trophy sent a wave of excitement across the nation, igniting a passion for the sport that continues to burn brightly today.
The following years witnessed a meteoric rise for Afghanistan. They climbed the ICC rankings at an exceptional pace, achieving ODI status in 2009. This was just the beginning. In 2017, they achieved the coveted Test status, becoming the first country to do so after starting as an Affiliate Member. This remarkable feat solidified their place among cricketing elite.
Along the way, Afghanistan earned a reputation as giant-killers. They pulled off unexpected victories against established cricketing nations like India in the 2019 Cricket World Cup and later against England and Pakistan in the 2023 World Cup. These upsets showcased their immense talent, fighting spirit, and ability to compete at the highest level.
However, the journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Security concerns and logistical difficulties pose obstacles to hosting international matches within Afghanistan. Yet, the team’s determination and the unwavering support of their fans remain undeterred. Afghanistan continues to strive for success, inspiring millions of Afghans across the globe with their resilience and dedication.
The Afghanistan Cricket Team is a symbol of hope. Their story serves as an inspiration, demonstrating that even amidst adversity, passion and hard work can pave the way for remarkable achievements. As they continue to chase their dreams on the international stage, one thing is certain: Afghanistan cricket has written a chapter in cricketing history that will continue to inspire future generations.
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