Afghanistan is always the dark horse or the underdog in a multi-nation tournament. They need more experience, but their will, grit, and hard work are amazing. They have a never-give-up attitude on the field, and their spin attack can do some major upsets. They will be heading into the Asia Cup 2023 with a good reputation. See below for details of the Afghanistan Asia Cup squad, schedule, and records of Afghanistan in Asia Cup history.
Afghanistan Asia Cup Squad 2023
Afghanistan named a 17-man squad for Asia Cup 2023. There were plenty of their experienced stars who returned to the squad. Afghanistan recently suffered a 3-0 whitewash against Pakistan in the ODI series in Sri Lanka. They sometimes became challenging for Pakistan, but they needed help to get the job done. To finish the job this time, they have returned their senior players.
If we talk about the changes, they left out Fareed Ahmed, Azmatullah Omarzai, Shahidullah Kamal, and Wafadar Mohmand from the squad. All 4 featured in the ODI series against Pakistan but missed the Asia Cup 2023. Making a return are Karim Jannat, Najibullah Zadran, and Sharafuddin Ashraf.
Najib Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz will lead Afghanistan’s batting. These two are the strongest batters of the unit. Najib missed out on the Pakistan series due to an injury, but now he is fit and ready to deliver again. Gurbaz was phenomenal in the ODI series and is likely to continue the same form in the Asia Cup 2023.
With the ball, Afghanistan’s pace attack will be led by Fazlhaq Farooqi. Although the rest of the Afghan pacers are mediocre, and spin is their main strength, Farooqi can do wonders with the new ball. In just 19 ODIs, Farooqi has 32 wickets, averaging 24 with the ball. His supporting pacers could be more experienced, as Karim Janat has played only one ODI in his career, while Abdul Rahman has played just 3.
The Spin attack of Afghanistan is perhaps the finest in the tournament. Mujeeb-ur-Rahman will be mighty effective in supportive conditions, especially with the new ball. He has 91 wickets in 64 ODIs. Mohammad Nabi’s experience and Rashid Khan’s leg-break will further add to the miseries of the opponent teams. Moreover, they also have Noor Ahmad, the left-arm wrist spinner in the squad. So Afghanistan’s spin attack is quite stacked.
Afghanistan Asia Cup Players List
Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Rashid Khan, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Abdul Rahman, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Suliman Safi, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Afghanistan Asia Cup Schedule 2023
Afghanistan Asia Cup Group
Afghanistan has been placed in a tough group for Asia Cup 2023. They are placed with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Group B.
Afghanistan Asia Cup Fixtures
Afghanistan will face Bangladesh in their opening clash on 3rd September 2023, while they will face Sri Lanka on 5th September 2023 to complete their Asia Cup 2023 fixtures. Both of their matches are in Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Afghanistan Asia Cup Time Table 2023
| Mat # | Date | Day | Group | Vs Team | Venue | Match Time (GMT/Local) |
| 4 | Sep-03 | Sunday | B | Bangladesh | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 09:30 AM / 2:30 PM |
| 6 | Sep-05 | Tuesday | B | Sri Lanka | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 09:30 AM / 2:30 PM |
Afghanistan Schedule of Super 4 in Asia Cup
The Afghanistan Asia Cup all-match schedule will be updated once they qualify for the Super 4 phase in Asia Cup 2023.
Afghanistan Asia Cup Titles
Afghanistan are yet to win an Asia Cup trophy. They have delivered some good performances over the year but have yet to play an Asia Cup Final.
Afghanistan Asia Cup Records
Afghanistan’s Asia Cup (ODI) record is not outstanding. They have played 9 ODI matches of the Asia Cup and have won only 3 of them. They have lost 5, and one game ended as a tie (against India).
| Played | Won | Lost | Tie | NR | Win% |
| 9 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 30 |
Afghanistan Pakistan Asia Cup Results
The rivalry between Afghanistan and Pakistan has elevated now. After India, Afghanistan has become the biggest rival of Pakistan in Asia in white ball cricket. The matches are quite thrilling and high-intensity ones. Both sides have clashed 2 times in the Asia Cup (ODI), and Pakistan has won both encounters.
| Matches | Afghanistan won | Pakistan won | Draw/Tie/No result |
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Afghanistan Sri Lanka Asia Cup Result
Afghanistan and Sri Lanka have a 50-50 record against each other in Asia Cup ODI history. Both sides have played 2 games against each other and won one. Both teams have a chance to take the lead this time.
| Matches | Afghanistan won | Sri Lanka won | Draw/Tie/No result |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Afghanistan Bangladesh Asia Cup result
Bangladesh is the only team Afghanistan has dominated in the Asia Cup (ODI) history. Afghanistan have a good record against them. Of the 3 matches played between the two sides, Afghanistan won 2, and Bangladesh won 1.
| Matches | Afghanistan won | Bangladesh won | Draw/Tie/No result |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Afghanistan India Asia Cup Results
Afghanistan has never shied away from a contest. They have never won any Asia Cup match against India, but they leveled a game once. Both teams have played each other twice, with India winning one and one game ending as a tie.
| Matches | India won | Afghanistan won | Draw/Tie/No result |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Most Runs for Afghanistan in Asia Cup History
Wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Shahzad has scored the most runs for Afghanistan in the Asia Cup (ODI). He scored 308 runs in 9 games with 2 centuries. Former captain Asghar Afghan has 277 runs in 9 matches and he is at 2nd place. Current Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi has the 3rd most Number of runs for Afghanistan in the Asia Cup (ODI).
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | SR | 100 | 50 |
| M Shahzad | 2014-2018 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 308 | 124 | 34 | 81.69 | 2 | 1 |
| Asghar Afghan | 2014-2018 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 277 | 90* | 34 | 76.94 | 0 | 2 |
| Hashmatullah Shahidi | 2018-2018 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 263 | 97* | 65 | 72.25 | 0 | 3 |
| M Nabi | 2014-2018 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 199 | 64 | 22 | 92.12 | 0 | 1 |
| Samiullah Shinwari | 2014-2018 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 192 | 81 | 38 | 83.11 | 0 | 2 |
Most Wickets by Afghanistan in Asia Cup
Afghanistan’s lead leg spin bowler, Rashid Khan, took the most wickets in the Asia Cup for Afghanistan. He has 10 wickets in 5 games. Mohammad Nabi is their 2nd best bowler with 9 wickets in 9 games. Afghanistan’s top 3 best wicket-takers in the Asia Cup (ODI) are spinners.
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | Wkts | BBI | Ave | Econ | SR | 4W | 5 |
| Rashid Khan | 2018-2018 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 3 for 46 | 17.2 | 3.72 | 27.7 | 0 | – |
| M Nabi | 2014-2018 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 3 for 44 | 36.77 | 3.92 | 56.2 | 0 | – |
| Mujeeb-ur-Rahman | 2018-2018 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 2 for 22 | 23.57 | 3.49 | 40.4 | 0 | – |
| Aftab Alam | 2018-2018 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 3 for 54 | 36 | 5.20 | 41.5 | 0 | – |
| Mirwais Ashraf | 2014-2014 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 2 for 29 | 22.5 | 4.5 | 30.0 | 0 | – |
