The Afghanistan national cricket team, often referred to as the “Afghan Atalan,” is a symbol of resilience and passion in the cricketing world. Here’s an overview of the team’s details:
Key Information
- Captain: Rashid Khan (as of 2024)
- Head Coach: Jonathan Trott (former England cricketer)
- Governing Body: Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB)
- Home Ground: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE
Current Squad (2024 T20 World Cup)
- Rashid Khan (c)
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)
- Mohammad Ishaq (wk)
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Najibullah Zadran
- Mohammad Nabi
- Gulbadin Naib
- Karim Janat
- Nangyal Kharoti
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman
- Noor Ahmad
- Naveen-ul-Haq
- Fazalhaq Farooqi
- Fareed Ahmad
- Reserves: Sediq Atal, Hazratullah Zazai, Saleem Safi.
Major Achievements
- ICC Full Membership: Attained in 2017, granting Test status.
- T20 Success: Known for dynamic performances, including a record 278/3 in T20Is.
- Asia Cup: Frequent contenders, demonstrating significant improvement over time.
- 2023 ODI World Cup: Recorded historic victories, including wins over major teams like England.
Historical Highlights
- Cricket became prominent in Afghanistan in the 1990s, largely introduced by Afghan refugees returning from Pakistan.
- The team has rapidly grown since its ICC affiliate status in 2001, becoming a full member in 2017.
- Afghanistan cricket has been a unifying force, offering hope amidst challenging circumstances.
Afghanistan’s journey is a remarkable story of perseverance and talent, making them a rising power in international cricket.