The rise of the Afghanistan cricket team: Decoding their journey
Afghanistan scripted history with their first-ever ODI win over Pakistan in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Often regarded as underdogs, the Afghans have proven their mettle in this competition by beating reigning World Champions England followed by a dominant win over Pakistan. In the last two decades, a lot has changed in Afghanistan cricket and they have made the most of every opportunity.
Why does this story matter?
Afghanistan's growth as a unit especially in limited overs has been tremendous. They only received their ODI status in 2009 and since then they have improved leaps and bounds. They are a real force to be reckoned with in T20 cricket and now with such results, they have also made ODIs their own. Their rise in cricket is nothing short of a folklore.
Cricket in refugee camps (Early 2000s)
Cricket was played by the British in the 19th century and became very popular in the country. Hence, the refugee camps outside Peshawar saw kids play a lot of cricket. In the early 2000s, they returned to their country and took cricket with them, which was the start of a famous tale. Their cricket board and national team were formed in 1995 and 2001.
Affiliate status and Asian Cricket Council Trophy in 2006
Afghanistan Cricket Board was granted the affiliate status in 2001. Later in 2003, they were granted associate membership under the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). They featured in the 2006 Asian Cricket Council Trophy and also reached the semi-finals, raising excitement among the Afghani public. Afghanistan lost to Hong Kong in the semi-final but won the third-place playoff beating Nepal.
Afghanistan clinched the 2007 ACC T20 Cup
It was in 2007 when Afghanistan clinched their first silverware when they were declared the joint-winners of the inaugural ACC T20 Cup after the final ended in a draw with Oman. It was a very significant year for Afghanistan cricket as they won ICC World Cricket League Division Five, defeating Jersey in the final. They were unbeaten in Division Four and won Division Three.
Afghanistan secured their ODI status in 2009
Afghanistan played well in the ICC World Cricket League and that helped them feature in the qualifiers of the ICC World Cup in 2011. Led by Nawroz Mangal, Afghanistan gave a good account of themselves in South Africa and reached the Super Eight stage, where they lost to Canada. Their run in the qualifiers helped them secure the ODI status in April 2009.
First appearance in T20 World Cup in 2010
Afghanistan won the ICC World T20 Qualifier 2010 held in Dubai, they defeated Ireland in the finals to qualify for the T20 World Cup. They clashed with the big boys for the first time in their cricketing journey. They didn't have much success as they bowed out of the event with two defeats against India and SA. Later, they won the ICC Intercontinental Cup.
Associate status and first ODI against a full member
It was a red letter day for Afghanistan cricket when they first faced a full member in ODIs with a clash against Pakistan in Sharjah in February 2012. Afghanistan lost that match by seven wickets but the day was much more significant than just the result. It was in 2013, that Afghanistan were promoted as an Associate member by the ICC.
First ODI World Cup appearances in 2015
Afghanistan qualified for the 2015 ODI World Cup after winning the ICC World Cricket League Championship in Sharjah. They defeated Kenya in the finals which meant that they would participate in the biggest event of world cricket. Led by Mohammad Nabi, Afghanistan lost five matches in the group stage but created history when they defeated Scotland, their first win in the ODI World Cup.
Afghanistan secured Test status in 2017
Afghanistan along with Ireland were handed full member status by the ICC in June 2017. They played their first Test match against India in June 2018 in Bengaluru. Although they lost by an innings and 262 runs, Afghani players mostly enjoyed the moment.
First Test win in 2019
Afghanistan became the latest full-member nation to taste success in the longest format of the game when they defeated Ireland by seven wickets on their adopted home ground in Dehradun. Ihsanullah Janat (65*) and Rahmat Shah (76) made light work of Ireland's target of 147 as they steered Afghanistan home. This was only their second Test since getting the status in 2017.
Disappointment in the 2019 ODI World Cup
Afghanistan started the qualifiers in 2018 with three consecutive defeats but they somehow managed to qualify for the Super Six after Nepal defeated Hong Kong. Afghanistan won their matches against WI and UAE and was aided by UAE's win over Zimbabwe. Afghanistan defeated Ireland in the shootout to qualify for the 2019 World Cup. However, they lost all nine matches in the mega event.
The first two World Cup wins over Test-playing nations
Entering the 2023 World Cup, they had only a single win at this level. But they proved their mettle once again, registering a 69-run victory over reigning World Cup champions England. After scoring 284, their spinners strangled the English batters to bundle them out for 215. Afghanistan registered an eight-wicket win versus Pakistan as they chased down 283 with great ease.
