Afghanistan's journey to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 marks a historic milestone for the team as they make their maiden appearance in this prestigious 50-over tournament.

Placed in a challenging group with Australia, England, and South Africa, Afghanistan have an exciting opportunity to showcase their growth as a cricketing powerhouse. With their formidable spin attack, dynamic opening pair, and familiarity with the conditions in Pakistan, they could surprise many. Here’s a SWOT analysis of their prospects. 

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Strengths 

World-class spin attack: Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, and Nangeyalia Kharote form one of the most lethal spin departments in the tournament. Rashid Khan’s exceptional economy rate (4.2) and wicket-taking ability provide a huge advantage on spin-friendly tracks. Even with the absence of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Afghanistan’s depth in spin remains unmatched. 

Explosive opening pair: Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran’s consistent opening stands (48.83 average partnership) set the tone for strong batting starts. Their complementary styles ensure a balance of aggression and stability. 

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Familiar conditions: Playing in Karachi and Lahore offers Afghanistan a home-like advantage, with spin-friendly pitches that suit their strength. Many players have PSL experience, which helps them acclimatise quickly. 

Weaknesses 

Middle-order inconsistency: Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmat Shah, and Gulbadin Naib have struggled for form, with averages below 33 since 2024. Over-reliance on the top order makes Afghanistan vulnerable to collapses. 

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Inexperienced pace attack: Fazalhaq Farooqi leads the seam unit, but the support cast (Azmatullah Omarzai, Fareed Ahmad, Naveed Zadran) lacks experience against top-tier teams. High economy rates and inconsistent wicket-taking could hurt them on batting-friendly tracks. 

Opportunities 

Young guns to shine: Sediqullah Atal, Noor Ahmad, Nangeyalia Kharote, and Naveed Zadran have a chance to make a name for themselves on the world stage. A breakout tournament from any of these young talents could give Afghanistan a competitive edge. 

Favourable spin conditions: With pitches likely to offer turn, Afghanistan’s spinners could dominate and create match-winning scenarios. 

Threats 

Formidable group stage opponents: Facing Australia, England, and South Africa means Afghanistan cannot afford any slip-ups. All three teams have strong batting lineups and seam attacks that can expose Afghanistan’s weaknesses. 

Lack of ODI exposure: Afghanistan’s last ODI series was in December 2024 against Zimbabwe, which may leave them undercooked in the 50-over format. This lack of match practice could impact their rhythm and ability to perform under pressure. 

Afghanistan have the talent and conditions to create upsets in the Champions Trophy 2025. Their spin attack is their biggest strength, and if they exploit the pitches well, they could challenge even the strongest teams. However, to progress beyond the group stage, they must address their middle-order woes, strengthen their pace unit, and improve their chasing record. A semi-final spot is within reach, but only if they bring their A-game consistently.