Cricket: Can Afghanistan Win An ICC Event In The Next Few Years?
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
Afghanistan’s Progress In ICC Tournaments
In the last 15 years, Afghanistan’s progress in ICC tournaments has arguably been the most impressive of any nation across the globe. Not only have they developed from an affiliate member into a fully fledged top-tier cricketing nation, but they have also produced several incredible results along the way.
Back in 2015, at the ICC ODI World Cup, the Blue Tigers made their first mark on the worldwide tournament by beating Scotland in a nail-biting match, which they came out on top in by just a single wicket. This proved to be a catalyst for the team’s rise, and since then, they have produced several incredible results and even better players.
Fast forward eight years to the 2023 ODI World Cup, the Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side captured the hearts of neutral fans worldwide with their own unique brand of cricket and as the David among the Goliaths. During the tournament, Afghanistan overcame three former world champions, including Sri Lanka, Pakistan and England.
Additionally, they were a whisker away from beating Australia, but an inspired Glenn Maxwell saved the blushes of the Baggy Greens. Still, Afghanistan’s remarkable feat earned them sixth place at the tournament and also secured their first-ever qualification for the ICC Champions Trophy, ahead of cricketing powerhouses like Sri Lanka and the mighty West Indies.
A year later, they were at it again, this time in the shortest format of the game at the T20 World Cup, where they once again showed the continuous improvement they had made, thrashing New Zealand by 84 runs and stunning Australia in the Super 8 phase of the competition in Kingstown before losing to South Africa in the semi-final.
Afghanistan at the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy
Heading into the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, most of the best online betting sites were in agreement that Afghanistan were the dark horse in the tournament, with some even putting them ahead of the likes of Bangladesh in terms of betting odds and level with tournament hosts Pakistan.
While they lost to South Africa in their opening match of the competition, Shahidi’s side were not willing to be derailed. Instead, they rallied in remarkable style and delivered one of the most memorable performances of the tournament in their second match, beating England in a thriller in Lahore to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Afghanistan’s final match of the competition was against Australia, and they were right in the thick of the contest until the 13th over of the second innings when the heavens opened up and ultimately scuppered their chances of qualifying. The game was eventually washed out and deemed a draw, with both teams sharing the points, which was not enough for the Blue Tigers to progress.
Still, there is no denying that Afghanistan are a team on the up on the global stage and their accomplishments in limited-overs cricket are plain for anyone to see. If they are able to continue producing young talents like Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rashid Khan, there’s no doubt that the Blue Tigers will be able to notch up their first major title in the coming years.
You can see several of Afghanistan’s star players in action at the ongoing Indian Premier League and consult our cricket predictions for our experts’ thoughts on how they may fare at the world’s biggest T20 franchise tournament.
