Afghanistan’s journey in the cricketing world is a story that transcends the sport itself. It is a tale of resilience, passion, and rapid ascent in the face of immense challenges. Cricket’s origins can be traced back to late 16th century British. The 18th century saw cricket become firmly established in England, while the 19th and 20th centuries witnessed its global expansion. It found fertile grounds in the hearts of Afghans much later. During the Soviet Afghan war, Afghans fled to Pakistan, where they lived in the refugee camps. It was there that cricket took root among the displaced population in 1980s and 90s.

The official formation of the Cricket Board of Afghanistan in 1995 marked the beginning of a structured approach. Despite the difficulties of establishing training facilities, and infrastructure amidst ongoing conflict, the passion for cricket remained undimmed. The team formed in 2001, and by then 2003, they were granted associate membership of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

Afghanistan’s performance in the 2006 Asian Cricket Council Trophy, reaching the semi-final, sent a wave of excitement through the Afghan public. The following years were filled with impressive performances, particularly in the ICC World Cricket League Division five. They set their sights on another major tournament – the ICC World T20 in 2010. Their dominance in the qualifiers, culminating in an eight-wicket victory over Ireland in the final, secured their place in the prestigious event. The team’s strong showings paved the way for their participation in the qualifiers of the ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2011, but they fell short at the final.

In 2013, Afghanistan’s consistent progress was recognised with a promotion from Affiliate to Associate member by the ICC. This opened doors to further development and participation in the higher-level tournaments. The success story continued with their maiden ODI world cup appearance in 2015, where they secured their first ever world cup win against Scotland. The journey since then has been remarkable, resulting in full ICC membership in 2017 and Test status.

Several factors contributed to Afghanistan’s rise. The unwavering support of the ACB, coupled with the dedication of players like Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan, was instrumental. Rashid, a leg-spinner extraordinaire, emerged in this period, ranked No.1 bowler in ICC rankings, becoming a world-renowned figure. Beyond individual brilliance, the team’s success can be attributed to their aggressive brand of cricket. Their spin attack, featuring not only Rashid but also Mujeeb Ur Rehman, is a force to be reckoned with. The batting lineup boasts power hitters like Hazrat Ullah Zazai and explosive middle-order batter Najib Ullah Zadran. This potent combination has challenged established cricketing nations time and again.

The ODI world cup 2019 was not a tournament to remember for the Afghans as they were not able to beat a single opponent. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cricket activity was significantly reduced for a couple of years. However, upon its return, Afghanistan made substantial strides in the sport. The Asia Cup 2022 saw Afghanistan dominate the opening match, beating champions Sri Lana. They added another win to their scorecard later in the tournament by a victory over Bangladesh.

Despite a big blow, 2023 has been a year of triumphs for the Afghan cricket. Australia refused to play a bilateral series with Afghanistan, citing concerns over the treatment of women under the Taliban regime.

In March 2023, Afghanistan secured a historic first-ever T20I series victory against Pakistan, the one-time T20 world cup champions. Soon after, the team under the guidance of coach Jonathan Trott and captain Hashmat Ullah Shahidi, displayed exceptional form in the Men’s ODI World Cup 2023. They stunned the cricketing world with a comprehensive win against the defending champions, England. This was followed by historic first-ever wins over cricketing powerhouses like Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Afghans run in the world cup 2023 solidified their place as serious contenders on the global stage, showcasing their ability to compete and win against the best.

The T20 World Cup 2024 is yet another testament to Afghanistan’s rise. A thrilling win against Australia in the group stages sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Their victory against Bangladesh has secured their place in the coveted semi-finals, marking a significant milestone in their cricketing journey.

Afghanistan’s future in cricket appears bright, with the potential to become a dominant force in the sport.

The rise of Afghan cricket is more than just a sporting achievement. It serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for a nation that has endured immense hardship. It demonstrates the power of sport to unite people, foster national pride, and provide a platform for young Afghans to excel on the global stage.