ICC CHAMPIONS TROPHY 2025: SPIRITED AFGHANISTAN COULD BE PARTY SPOILERS

The Afghanistan cricket team has reached new heights, and its performance in global ICC tournaments has seen drastic improvement. In the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, Afghanistan finished sixth ahead of England, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka...

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The Afghanistan cricket team has reached new heights, and its performance in global ICC tournaments has seen drastic T improvement. In the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, Afghanistan finished sixth ahead of England, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. They won hearts with some gutsy performances. In the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, Afghanistan progressed to the Super 8, where they overcame Australia and Bangladesh. The Afghans made it to the semis before bowing out. This was another positive direction for the Asian side.

Now, come the ICC Champions Trophy, Afghanistan will want to build from their performances in whiteball cricket and look to produce substance. Placed in Group B alongside Australia, England, and South Africa, the Afghans have a tough ask. However, they can come out strong and show intent to spoil the fun for these big sides. Afghanistan have that pedigree to make things interesting.

Hashmatullah Shahidi-led Afghanistan play their matches in Karachi and Lahore. Interestingly, the team is well suited to the demands of the sub-continent. As per ESPNcricinfo, Afghanistan have played 101 matches on Asian soil, winning 49 and losing 49 alongside one game getting tied (NR: 2). Ahead of the global tournament, we present the strengths, weaknesses, and probable playing XI.

Afghanistan squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, Naveed Zadran.

STRENGTHS OF AFGHANISTAN