Everyone loves an underdog story. Ask every Indian and they’d name Afghanistan as their favourite team to root for after, obviously, India. But why is that the case? Well, it is simply because of the stupendous rise that Afghanistan cricket has seen. In 2009, when Pakistan won the Men’s T20 World Cup in England, Afghanistan just got affiliate status from the International Cricket Council (ICC). Fast forward now; they have had way more victories at ICC tournaments since 2023 than “so-called” giants Pakistan and England.
Fear Afghanistan, not Pakistan-England
At ICC events, Afghanistan have given numerous moments to cheer. Contrastingly, the Pakistan fans have had way more reasons to “break their TVs” and the English media have blown away their side with ambushing remarks time to time. In the last three ICC tournaments, Afghanistan have either qualified for knockouts or remained just one step away from doing so. The emphatic cricket that the supposedly “minnows” have played has been absolutely fantastic to watch even for the neutrals.
At the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, Afghanistan rolled over both England and Pakistan, two teams that massively underperformed during the event. If not for Glenn Maxwell’s once-in-a-lifetime double century, Afghanistan almost put their stamp on a semi-final spot. The entire Asian continent was buzzing with the massive rise of Afghanistan cricket. It wasn’t just about them playing over flukes after flukes. Instead, the set plan put up by Jonathan Trott was the crux of them punching above their weight.
Semi-finalist of 2024 got “weathered” at Champions Trophy
Following a rather successful 2023 campaign, Afghanistan completed their revenge over the Australian outfit. They went unbeaten at the group stage before rattling Australia to qualify for the semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. It was for the first time Afghanistan went above the group stages and they did so quite superbly. Now, at the recently concluded ICC Champions Trophy, the Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side one upped on England with a masterful display by Ibrahim Zadran’s 177. Once again, they were in the running for a semi-final spot. Despite being in the group of death, Afghanistan were just one away but their hard-fought battle with Australia was cut short with incessant rain in Lahore.
In total, Afghanistan have won 10 out of 20 matches in the last three ICC tournaments. Contrastingly, England and Pakistan have not been quite at their level. In as many matches, England have won just seven encounters. Pakistan, meanwhile, have won a mere six out of 15 ICC matches. Among those wins, Pakistan beat the Netherlands, Ireland, Canada and Sri Lanka.,
Most ICC wins since 2023 ODI World Cup
| Team | Mat | Won | Lost | Tied | NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 24 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| South Africa | 22 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Australia | 21 | 15 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| Afghanistan | 20 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 1 |
| New Zealand | 19 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| England | 20 | 7 | 12 | 0 | 1 |
| Pakistan | 15 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
