ASIA CUP 2025: AFGHANISTAN ARE OUT TO BUILD ON GLOBAL TOURNAMENT EXPERTISE

Skipper Rashid will lead the unit. He has just become the highest wicket-taker in T20Is. He went past Tim Southee’s tally of 164 scalps. Rashid, who is also the top wicket-taker in T20s with a tally of 666...

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Afghanistan picked up a brilliant win over Pakistan in their third clash of the 2025 T20I tri-series, involving the UAE. After having lost their opening clash to Pakistan, Afghanistan bounced back with wins over the UAE and Pakistan. They have another game with the UAE before a possible final clash against Pakistan on September 7. The series, which is a buildup to the Asia Cup starting from September 9 onwards in the UAE, gives Afghanistan a chance to build on its global tournament expertise. Of late, the Afghans have improved dramatically in white-ball cricket and have done reasonably well in ICC tournaments. And now, the Rashid Khan-led side will want to shine in the upcoming ACC tournament, which is the Asia Cup.

They are placed in Group B alongside Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong. This is the 17th edition of the Asia Cup and only the third time it's being played in the T20I format. With the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in the picture, this event will be a crucial one for Afghanistan.

A total of eight teams are divided into two groups. The top 2 teams will reach the Super 4. The Afghans will have their task cut out as they will be challenged by both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. However, one shouldn't take this Afghan side lightly.

Afghanistan have top T20 specialists in their side and bowling is their strength. They have a world-class spin show, and also their top-order batting has the ingredients to come good against any attack. Rashid will hope his side comes out all guns blazing and manage to express themselves.

Ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, we decode the strengths, weaknesses and analysis of the Afghanistan side.

AFGHANISTAN SQUAD