Champions Trophy 2025: Afghanistan Strength, Weaknesses, Schedule, Squad, Playing XI and More

There's just a month left for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is returning after an eight-year gap and this time it will feature one new team. Afghanistan will make its debut in the Champions Trophy this year, marking a historic moment in Afghan cricket. This article will discuss Afghanistan's strengths, weaknesses, best-playing XI, squad, and more.

First Appearance in the Champions Trophy 

Afghanistan will play In The Champions Trophy for the first time after qualifying for the prestigious tournament as per the pre decided criteria. Afghanistan's inclusion in the Champions Trophy led to the disqualification of Sri Lanka and West Indies, as the tournament is played between the top teams in international cricket. 

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 criteria 

According to the criteria, the top eight teams in the group stage of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 qualify for the Champions Trophy 2025. In last year's World Cup, Afghanistan finished in sixth place, securing its place in the Champions Trophy for the first time. The team performed very well in the World Cup, defeating teams like England and Pakistan. 

Strengths 

Spin Attack

Afghanistan poses a world-class spin attack better than any other team in the tournament, with Rashid Khan leading along with Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmed and Allah Ghazanfar. With such a world-class spin attack team can create havoc in any match. 

Reliable Opening Duo

Afghanistan’s openers Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz have played monumental roles in the team's performance recently, the openers have provided much-needed stability at the top order and perform consistently, giving strong support to the team's batting.

Weaknesses

Middle-order woes

The biggest weak link in Afghanistan is their middle order batting, the middle order has faced several collapses, which decreases the confidence in the middle order that if in any match to-order collapsed early, then will the middle order be able to handle such pressure in this big tournament? 

Lack of Experience 

The Afghanistan team lacks experience in ICC tournaments. This will be the team's first Champions Trophy, which can affect its performance in a new environment.

Group A

On the one hand, the Afghanistan team will play its first-ever Champions Trophy, whereas on the other side, the team is in group A, facing teams like Australia, England and South Africa, which will make the road more challenging for Afghanistan.

Afghanistan's Best Playing XI For Champions Trophy

Afghanistan Matches in Champions Trophy

Afghanistan Squad

Champions Trophy 2025 Full Schedule