SWOT Analysis of Afghanistan Cricket Team Ahead of Asia Cup 2025 | Afghanistan Asia Cup Preview

Afghanistan are slated to get their Asia Cup campaign underway by taking on Hong Kong during the opener on September 9. Placed in Group G, alongside Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, the team will play all its league fixtures at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. 

Led by a flamboyant spin bowling all-rounder, Rashid Khan, Afghanistan has a win against all Asian teams barring India. A rich variety in their spin bowling department, followed by some mighty firepower at the top of the order, Afghanistan poses a real threat to the participating teams in the Asia Cup. Rashid, being a world-class operator, is a highly experienced T20 campaigner who is highly well-versed with the conditions that are on offer. 

As Afghanistan looks to make further inroads in this year's Asia Cup edition, we have performed an extensive SWOT analysis of the current squad, giving you a valuable insight into how the team is shaping up. 

See also: Asia Cup 2025: AFG vs HK Today Match Prediction– 1st Match, Who will win today?

Strengths

• World-class Spin Arsenal: Afghanistan possesses arguably the most potent spin attack in the tournament, anchored by Rashid Khan and supported by Mujeeb, Noor Ahmad, and Mohammad Nabi. Their variety and control, especially in subcontinental conditions, is a major weapon.
• Explosive Top-order: Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran offer both aggression and stability up front, giving quick momentum in the powerplay. Sediqullah Atal, in form from the recent tri-series, adds firepower.
• Deep All-Rounder Pool: The presence of multi-skilled players like Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, and Gulbadin Naib gives the team flexibility and balance across formats.
• IPL & Franchise Experience: Many team members have a demonstrated record of shining bright in the IPL and other global leagues, honing their skills under pressure and enhancing their adaptability. Some notable examples include players like Rashid, Noor, Gurbaz, and Omarzai. 
• Recent Momentum & Belief: Notable performances in the UAE tri-series (including a win over Pakistan) have instilled confidence and competitive belief within the squad. Moreover, the team has also gotten more acclimatized to the conditions, making them more battle-ready than any other team in the Asia Cup.

Weakness

• Middle-order Instability: Despite a strong top order, the middle order has faltered under pressure. They have been more susceptible to batting collapses, especially while chasing, thus highlighting a key concern for sustained innings building.
• Pace Attack Depth: Although Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq are dependable, Afghanistan’s fast bowling resources lag behind those of pace-heavy sides. The likes of Omarzai and Fared Malik have demonstrated a tendency to return expensive figures during rare-off days.
• Fielding Lapses: Afghanistan's fielding capabilities will be put to the test in this forthcoming Asia Cup edition. Occasional lapses in fielding, especially dropped catches and ground fielding errors, have plagued them at crucial moments. The most expensive drop was the drop during the 2023 ODI World Cup, where they allowed Maxwell & Co. to run away with the game and script an unlikely victory out of nowhere. 
• Pressure Handling in Big Moments: The team has sometimes buckled under pressure in tight games or knockout scenarios, pointing to a need for greater composure.

Opportunities

• Conditions Tailored for Spin: The UAE pitches are conducive for spin bowling, playing perfectly into Afghanistan’s strengths and allowing their spinners to dominate. Moreover, their spinners have already undergone a dress rehearsal in the tri-series at Sharjah, where the conditions are vastly similar to those of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. 
• Emerging Talent & Youthful Energy: Players like Sediqullah Atal, Noor Ahmad, and Allah Ghazanfar are hungry to prove themselves and bring dynamic freshness to the squad.
• Shock Potential Against Big Teams: Given their evolving consistency, Afghanistan now have the capacity not just to surprise but to challenge top-tier teams. It is worth noting that Afghanistan have registered at least one win against every full-member nation barring India. Moreover, they also famously knocked England twice from the fifty-over ICC tournaments in 2023 and 2025. 

Threats

• Heavy Expectations Post-World Cup Semis: After their T20 World Cup semifinal achievement, pressure is mounting to deliver, potentially amplifying nerves.
• Fragile Batting Under Pressure: Continued middle-order failures, especially during high-stakes chases, remain a persistent threat to match outcomes.
• Stiffer Opposition: Encounters against stronger sides like India or Sri Lanka will test Afghanistan’s temperament and ability to sustain consistent performance.

Strongest predicted playing Xl: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammed Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahaman, Fazal Farooqi, Naveen ul Haq