What Happened to Afghanistan National Cricket Team?

The Afghanistan National Cricket Team's journey from an affiliate member to a Full Member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2017 is one of cricket's most compelling narratives. This elevation granted them Test, One-Day International (ODI), and T20 International (T20I) status, solidifying their place on the global stage. Their rise has been characterized by a fearless brand of cricket, particularly noted for producing elite spin bowlers and aggressive top-order batters.

Following the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, the future of Afghan cricket, especially women's cricket, became a significant concern. The Taliban's ban on women's sports led to the disbandment of the Afghanistan women's national team, with many players fleeing the country and forming a 'refugee team' in exile. This situation has created a complex challenge for the ICC, as full member nations are typically required to have a national women's team. Human Rights Watch and other organizations have called for the suspension of the Taliban-run Afghanistan Cricket Board's ICC membership until women and girls can participate in the sport. Despite these pressures, the ICC has continued to recognize the Afghanistan Cricket Board, allowing the men's team to compete internationally.

In 2026, the Afghanistan men's team maintained a busy international schedule. They participated in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in February 2026, where they were drawn in Group D alongside New Zealand, South Africa, the UAE, and Canada. Despite a fighting spirit, including a double Super Over finish against South Africa, they exited in the group stage. They also played a three-match T20I series against India in September 2026, hosted in Delhi, which India won. Additionally, Afghanistan competed in the Asian Games in September 2026, securing a victory against Japan but suffering a defeat to Nepal.

A significant development for Afghan cricket in 2026 is the planned relaunch of the Afghanistan Premier League (APL). The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced this franchise-based T20 competition, with its inaugural season expected to feature five teams and be held in the UAE around October 2026. The ACB views this as a crucial step for player development and showcasing Afghan cricket globally. The team's Future Tours Program (FTP) for 2023-2027 outlines a substantial number of matches, including 21 Test matches, 45 ODIs, and 57 T20Is, against various nations including Australia, India, New Zealand, Ireland, and Zimbabwe.

As of September 25, 2026, the Afghanistan men's team holds respectable ICC rankings: 12th in Tests, 8th in ODIs, and 10th in T20Is. Their recent performance in the Asia Cup 2025 and T20 World Cup 2026 saw them exit in the group stages. The ongoing challenge remains the international community's stance on the Taliban's restrictions on women's sports and its implications for the Afghanistan Cricket Board's standing within the ICC. The ICC has committed to financial support for the Afghan women's refugee squad and aims for them to enter qualification pathways by 2030, though they remain unrecognized by the Taliban-controlled ACB.