Afghanistan Champions Trophy 2025 SWOT Analysis: Afghan Atlans Can Stun The World. (Source: ACB).
Afghanistan can be the giant killers of this edition of the ICC Champions Trophy if they perform to their potential. Fans will remember how well they played in the 50-over World Cup in India in 2023, where it earned wins against England, Pakistan and even Australia a run for their money. Afghanistan has won four in five bilateral series since the ODI World Cup, including one against South Africa in the UAE.
However, their limited-overs success has been based on openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran and the spin attack. Rashid Khan will lead the attack, with 20-year-old left-arm spinner Nangyal Kharoti replacing AM Ghazanfar.
Afghanistan also tend to buckle under pressure while chasing high scores in the 50-over format. According to data, they have struggled to meet targets of 300 runs or more, winning only one out of ten matches in such circumstances. Consistency is equally a problem.
Key players to watch include Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Noor Ahmad, and Azmatullah Omarzai.
Afghanistan Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, Naveed Zadran. Reserves: Darwish Rasooli, Bilal Sami
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule:
Match 1: 19 February, Pakistan vs New Zealand, Karachi, Pakistan
Match 2: 20 February, Bangladesh vs India, Dubai
Match 3: 21 February, Afghanistan vs South Africa, Karachi, Pakistan
Match 4: 22 February, Australia vs England, Lahore, Pakistan
Match 5: 23 February, Pakistan vs India, Dubai
Match 6: 24 February, Bangladesh vs New Zealand, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Match 7: 25 February, Australia vs South Africa, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Match 8: 26 February, Afghanistan vs England, Lahore, Pakistan
Match 9: 27 February, Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Match 10: 28 February, Afghanistan vs Australia, Lahore, Pakistan
Match 10: 1 March, South Africa vs England, Karachi, Pakistan
Match 11: 2 March, New Zealand vs India, Dubai
Semi-final 1: 4 March, Dubai
Semi-final 2: 5 March, Lahore, Pakistan
Final: 9 March, Lahore (unless India qualifies, else it will be played in Dubai)
Reserve day: 10 March
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