Afghanistan Cricket Team: History, Governing Body and Rapid Rise
Profile of the Afghanistan cricket team: origins in refugee camps, Test status in 2017, first World Cup in 2015 and a T20 World Cup semi-final in 2024.
The Afghanistan national cricket team has one of the most remarkable rises in the history of the sport. From a start in refugee camps and amateur competitions, the team progressed within about fifteen years to become a full member of the International Cricket Council, and it has since produced results against some of the strongest teams in the world.
Origins
Cricket spread among Afghan communities in Pakistan, where many families lived as refugees from the 1980s, and players learned the game there before returning to Afghanistan. The Afghanistan Cricket Board was formed and joined the ICC as an affiliate member in 2001, and became an associate member in 2013. The team went through the World Cricket League divisions in quick succession, winning promotion in successive tournaments between 2008 and 2010.
International status
Afghanistan gained one-day international status in 2009 after finishing among the leading sides at the World Cup Qualifier in South Africa. The team played in the 2010 T20 World Cup and then in the 2015 ODI World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where it recorded its first World Cup win, over Scotland. In June 2017 the ICC granted full membership to Afghanistan and Ireland, giving both Test status. Afghanistan played its first Test in June 2018 against India in Bengaluru.
Spin and style
The team is known for the strength of its spin bowling. Rashid Khan became one of the best Twenty20 bowlers in the world, and Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman have also been prominent. Afghan players have taken part in leagues such as the Indian Premier League, the Big Bash League and the Caribbean Premier League, which has helped them gain experience.
Recent milestones
At the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, Afghanistan beat England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and finished close to the semi-finals. At the 2024 T20 World Cup, the team defeated Australia in the Super Eight stage and beat Bangladesh to reach the semi-finals for the first time, where it lost to South Africa. The 2023 and 2024 results confirmed the team as a serious competitor in white-ball cricket.
Challenges
The team has played many home matches abroad because of security and logistical issues in the country, using venues in India and the United Arab Emirates. Despite these circumstances, cricket has remained one of the most popular sports in Afghanistan and a source of national pride.
Frequently asked questions
When did Afghanistan get Test status?
Afghanistan was granted full ICC membership and Test status in June 2017, and played its first Test in 2018.
When did Afghanistan first play in an ODI World Cup?
In 2015, in Australia and New Zealand.
How did Afghanistan do at the 2024 T20 World Cup?
They reached the semi-finals for the first time, where they lost to South Africa.