Afghanistan's Meteoric Rise In International Cricket: A Force To Be Reckoned With

February 27, 2025: Afghanistan's remarkable journey in international cricket has captured the hearts of fans worldwide, as the team continues to evolve from an affiliate member to a formidable force in world cricket. Their rise has been nothing short of extraordinary, with the team quickly making a name for themselves on the biggest stages.

The team's journey began with a thrilling one-wicket victory over Scotland in the 2015 ICC World Cup, marking their first step into the world of ODI cricket. However, it was their performance in the 2023 ICC World Cup that truly announced their arrival on the international scene. Afghanistan stunned the cricketing world by defeating three former World Cup champions—England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka—securing a sixth-place finish and their first-ever qualification for the prestigious ICC Champions Trophy.

The 2023 World Cup saw Afghanistan deliver some jaw-dropping performances. They shocked England with a 69-run victory in Delhi, dominated Pakistan with an eight-wicket win in Chennai, and handed Sri Lanka a convincing seven-wicket defeat in Pune. Their stunning run came close to claiming another major scalp when they nearly toppled Australia, only for Glenn Maxwell’s record-breaking double century to rescue the eventual champions.

Despite the heartbreak of narrowly missing out on a win over Australia, Afghanistan proved they were no longer the underdogs but a competitive side capable of taking on the world’s best.

The team’s success didn’t stop there. In the 2024 T20 World Cup, Afghanistan continued to impress with their fierce performances. They demolished New Zealand by 84 runs in the group stage in Guyana and later stunned Australia with a 21-run win in the Super Eight stage in Kingstown. Although their dream run ended in the semi-finals with a comprehensive defeat at the hands of South Africa, the team's progress was undeniable. Interestingly, South Africa's hopes of winning their first World Cup were dashed when they lost to India in the final.

Afghanistan’s momentum carried them into the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, where they made headlines again with a stunning win over England. Ibrahim Zadran’s magnificent 177 and Azmatullah Omarzai’s match-winning spell of 5/58 led Afghanistan to a formidable total of 325/7. England could only manage 317 in response, and Afghanistan secured a well-earned victory.

With each ICC event, Afghanistan continues to rewrite its cricketing narrative, firmly establishing itself as a serious contender in world cricket. What was once a team known for causing occasional upsets has transformed into a side that consistently takes down some of the biggest names in international cricket, showing the world they are here to stay as one of the sport’s most exciting and formidable forces.