Overview:
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.
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.
If Afghanistan win the tri-series, this will hand them a massive advantage going into the Asia Cup where 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’s squad for Asia Cup
Rashid Khan (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Ishaq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Allah Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Farid Malik, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Strengths of Afghanistan
The bowling unit of Afghanistan could be a trump card on the surfaces in the UAE. The spin department, in particular, can perhaps be regarded as the best in T20Is among every team in this Asia Cup.
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, is getting back to his best after an ordinary IPL 2025 season.
The experienced Mohammad Nabi recently became the 2nd Afghan bowler with 100-plus T20I wickets. Nabi will once again play a key role in the upcoming tournament with his offerings.
Then there is Mujeeb ur Rahman, who can be a quality option both in the power play and middle overs. With close to 300 T20 wickets, including 60-plus victims in T20Is, Mujeeb gives Afghanistan more depth and character.
Not to forget, the presence of Noor Ahmad and Allah Ghazanfar. The former was superb in the IPL and shone when he got a chance in the tri-series clash against Pakistan on September 2 where he took 2/20. Ghazanfar is another star in the making. He has shown his quality in T20s and made his T20I debut on September 2.
Another spin option Afghanistan have is Sharafuddin Ashraf,
What suits well for the Afghans, they can rotate their spin options if needed and play as per situations. They can also go in with 4 spinners if the surface demands the same.
Fazalhaq Farooqi is their leader in the pace unit. He averages below 20 with the ball and owns over 50 scalps.
Naveen-ul-Haq makes a return to the scheme of things. He last played for the Afghans in 2024. The 25-year-old is a champion bowler and owns 67 T20I scalps at 18.73. He also owns 267 wickets in T20s. Naveen can share the new ball with Farooqi with Omarzai being the third pace option if Afghan go down this route.
Fareed Malik is promising. In 33 matches, he has 42 wickets at an impressive 20.19.
Afghanistan boast three premier pace-bowling all-rounders. There is Azmatullah Omarzai, who has completed 50 T20Is and has 30-plus wickets to show at 32.15. Gulbadin Naib is another player in the mix. In 74 matches, he owns 33 wickets. Karim Janat is their 3rd pace-bowling all-rounder. He owns 42 wickets in 70 games.
The top order batting unit of Afghanistan is strong. Rahmanullah Gurbaz is seasoned. He owns over 1700 runs and averages 25-plus. Ibrahim Zadran is in good form, having hit successive fifties in the ongoing tri-series. He averages over 30 and owns over 1200 runs. Sediqullah Atal is also amongst the runs in this series and will be a key figure in the Asia Cup.
In Karim and Omarzai, Afghanistan get solidity in the middle order. Both all-rounders are strong batters and can maximise for the team, scoring quick runs.
Nabi and Rashid are finishers and have so much pedigree to go big and score quick runs.
Weaknesses of the Afghan side
Afghanistan’s batting lacks depth. Apart from their front three and the presence of the four all-round options in Karim, Omarzai, Rashid and Nabi, somehow the side lacks a specialist batter. Yes they have Darwish Rasooli, who is likely to provide that cushion in batting, but he is yet to impress much in his 12-match T20I career. Having made his debut in 2022, he hasn’t quite been in the frame.
When you look at the bench, Afghanistan do not have a recognised batter barring wicketkeeper Mohammad Ishaq, who is 5 games old and owns 76 runs.
Alongside Rasooi, Ishaq remains a weak link for this side.
Afghanistan are an all-round heavy team and they will rely on contributions from here and there with the bat. Inconsistency is what could hurt them.
They could have done away with someone like Ashraf and added a specialist batter. They already have 5 spin options and having a sixth doesn’t make much sense.
Predicted starting XI of Afghanistan
Rahmanullah Gurbaz,(wk), Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Darwish Rasooli, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq.
Players to watch out for
Rashid Khan: His impact and presence will be massive. Rashid has bowled well in the tri-series and he will be ready when the Asia Cup starts. He is well versed with the tracks in UAE and that is a bonus. The most successful bowler in the 20-over format, Rashid, can be a serious game changer. Not to forget his attributes as a smasher of the ball.
Verdict: Afghanistan could top their group
Despite not having batting depth, the Afghans are expected to move out from their group and head to the Super 4. They have pedigree in their bowling attack and are literally spoiled for choices. Their all-rounders will have the onus to do well and carry the side. Afghanistan have a chance to top their group and be a tough side in the Super 4.
Schedule of Afghanistan in the Asia Cup
9 September – Afghanistan vs Hong Kong, Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
16 September – Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, Sheikh Zayed Stadium
18 September – Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
All matches will start at 8:00 pm IST.