🇮🇳 Trending in India · 7 November 2026
Who are the Afghanistan national cricket team?
Who they are
The Afghanistan national cricket team represents Afghanistan in international cricket. The Afghanistan Cricket Board, founded in 1995, is the body that runs the team, and it has been a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) since 2017. Cricket has been played in Afghanistan since the mid-19th century, but the national team only began to find success in the early 21st century.
From affiliate to Test nation
Afghanistan became an ICC affiliate member in 2001, and on 22 June 2017 it was granted full ICC membership along with Test status. It was the first country to move up to full membership after first being an affiliate. Their first Test match was played against India in Bengaluru in June 2018.
Why they are in the news
In the final of the UAE tri-nation series on 23 October 2026 at Sharjah, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 169. Afghanistan replied with 170 for 3 and won by seven wickets, with Ibrahim Zadran unbeaten on 70. It was the team's first win in a tri-nation series, and Rashid Khan took 11 wickets in the tournament.
Rise in the ICC rankings
After the win, Afghanistan moved up to seventh in the ICC men's ODI team rankings with 94 points, overtaking England, who dropped to eighth with 93 points. A later update reported by Pajhwok on 1 November said Afghanistan had climbed to sixth, overtaking Sri Lanka and England. Seventh place matches their highest-ever ODI position, which they had first reached in May 2025.
Milestones and key names
Afghanistan reached the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup in 2024, their best showing in an ICC event so far. Rashid Khan is the best-known name, known for his spin bowling, and Richard Pybus is the head coach who recently praised the team's bowling depth. The team is nicknamed Atalan, which means heroes in Pashto.
Quick points
Quick quiz
1. In which year did Afghanistan get full ICC membership and Test status?
2. Which team did Afghanistan beat by seven wickets in the final of the 2026 UAE ODI tri-series?
3. Against which country did Afghanistan play their first Test match, in Bengaluru in June 2018?
