Afghanistan National Cricket Team
International
Team Squad
Abdullah Ahmadzai
Allrounder
Azmatullah Omarzai
Allrounder
Darwish Rasooli
Top Order Batter
Fazalhaq Farooqi
Bowler
Gulbadin Naib
Batting Allrounder
Ibrahim Zadran
Batsman
Mohammad Ishaq
Wicketkeeper
Mohammad Nabi
Allrounder
Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Bowler
Naveen ul Haq
Bowler
Noor Ahmad
Bowler
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Wicketkeeper
Rashid Khan
Bowler
Sediqullah Atal
Batsman
Shahidullah Kamal
Batting Allrounder
Ziaur Rahman Sharifi
Batsman
Abdul Malik
Allrounder
Abdul Rahman
Bowler
Abdul Wasi
Allrounder
Afsar Zazai
Wicketkeeper
Aftab Alam
Bowler
AM Ghazanfar
Bowler
Amir Hamza
Bowling Allrounder
Asghar Afghan
Middle Order Batter
Bahir Shah
Batsman
Bashir Ahmad
Bowler
Bilal Sami
Bowler
Dawlat Ahmadzai
Allrounder
Dawlat Zadran
Bowler
Fareed Ahmad
Bowler
Faridoon Dawoodzai
Bowler
Farmanullah Safi
Allrounder
Fazal Niazai
Bowling Allrounder
Hameed Hassan
Bowler
Hamid Hassan
Allrounder
Hashmatullah Shahidi
Top Order Batter
Hazratullah Zazai
Batsman
Ihsanullah Janat
Top Order Batter
Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai
Allrounder
Ikram Alikhil
Wicketkeeper
Imran Mir
Batsman
Ismat Alam
Allrounder
Izatullah Dawlatzai
Bowler
Izharulhaq Naveed
Bowler
Javed Ahmadi
Top Order Batter
Karim Janat
Bowling Allrounder
Karim Sadiq
Batsman
Khalil Ahmed
Bowler
Khalil Gurbaz
Allrounder
Mirwais Ashraf
Bowler
Mohammad Ibrahim
Bowler
Mohammad Saleem
Bowler
Mohammad Shahzad
Wicketkeeper
Munir Ahmad
Wicketkeeper
Najeeb Tarakai
Batsman
Najibullah Zadran
Middle Order Batter
Nangeyalia Kharote
Allrounder
Nangyal Kharoti
Bowling Allrounder
Nasim Baras
Bowler
Nasir Jamal
Middle Order Batter
Nasrat Ullah
Batting Allrounder
Naveed Zadran
Allrounder
Nawroz Mangal
Batsman
Nijat Masood
Bowler
Noor Ali Zadran
Batsman
Noor ul Rahman
Wicketkeeper
Noor Wali
Bowler
Qais Ahmad
Bowler
Raees Ahmadzai
Allrounder
Rahmat Shah
Allrounder
Riaz Hassan
Batsman
Riaz Hussan
Batsman
Samiullah Shinwari
Allrounder
Sayed Shirzad
Bowler
Sediqullah Pacha
Allrounder
Shabir Noori
Allrounder
Shafiqullah Shafiq
Wicketkeeper
Shamsurrahman .
Allrounder
Shapoor Zardan
Bowler
Sharafuddin Ashraf
Allrounder
Suliman Safi
Batsman
Usman Ghani
Batsman
Wafadar Momand
Bowler
Wafiullah Tarakhil
Batsman
Waqar Salamkheil
Bowler
Yamin Ahmadzai
Bowler
Zahir Khan
Bowler
Zahir Shehzad
Bowling Allrounder
Zia ur Rehman
Bowler
Zubaid Akbari
Batsman
Afghanistan Cricket Team History
The Afghanistan national cricket team, known as the Afghan Atalans (Afghan Heroes), is the most inspiring success story in modern sports. Emerging from a background of conflict and displacement, they have transformed from a group of refugees playing in camps into a top-tier cricketing nation that regularly defeats the "Big Three" (India, Australia, and England). As of February 2026, Afghanistan is officially recognized as Asia's No. 2 white-ball team, having surpassed established powers like Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the rankings.
The Meteoric Rise: From Affiliate to Full Member
Afghanistan's journey is unprecedented in ICC history. They moved from Division Five of the World Cricket League to Test-playing status in less than a decade.
Early Foundations (1995–2001): The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) was formed in 1995. After the Taliban approved cricket as the nation's sole sport in 2000, they became an affiliate member of the ICC in 2001.
The Rapid Ascent: Between 2008 and 2013, the team cleared every hurdle in the World Cricket League, earning Associate status.
Test Status (2017): In recognition of their rapid development and consistent performances, Afghanistan was granted Full Membership and Test status by the ICC in June 2017, alongside Ireland.
2024–2026: The New Powerhouse of Asia
The mid-2020s marked Afghanistan's transition from "giant-killers" to a world-class elite unit.
The 2024 T20 World Cup Miracle: Afghanistan reached their first-ever ICC semi-final in 2024. In a dream run, they defeated New Zealand, Australia, and Bangladesh to reach the final four, where they eventually fell to South Africa.
Ranking Dominance (2026): As of early 2026, Afghanistan holds a career-high 7th rank in ODIs, sitting comfortably above England, the West Indies, and Bangladesh.
The 2026 T20 World Cup Campaign: Under the leadership of Rashid Khan, Afghanistan entered the 2026 T20 World Cup (hosted by India and Sri Lanka) as one of the pre-tournament favorites, backed by their immense strength in Asian conditions.
Legendary Figures: The Spin Wizards and Power Hitters
Afghanistan's success is built on a world-renowned bowling attack and a burgeoning batting core.
Rashid Khan: The face of Afghan cricket and a global icon. He is widely considered the greatest T20 bowler in history and currently holds the No. 1 ODI Bowling Ranking.
Mohammad Nabi: "The President" of Afghan cricket, Nabi has been with the team since their Division Five days and remains one of the world's premier all-rounders.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz: A fearless wicketkeeper-batter who has become the backbone of the top order, known for his century-making ability against elite attacks.
Azmatullah Omarzai: The modern-day star who currently holds the No. 1 ODI All-Rounder Ranking, providing the team with much-needed seam-bowling depth and explosive middle-order batting.
Fazalhaq Farooqi: A left-arm pace sensation who led the wicket-taking charts in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Summary of Major Achievements
Afghanistan's milestones reflect their extraordinary rise in world cricket.
- ICC T20 World Cup Semi-Finalists (2024) — Best-ever finish in a world event.
- ICC ODI World Cup (2023) — Won 4 out of 9 matches, defeating England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands.
- ICC Champions Trophy (2025) — Defeated England in the group stages in their debut appearance.
- Historic Test Victories — Won against Ireland, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe with their "spin-trap" tactics.