Afghanistan in Asia Cup 2022: Schedule, key players, squad, form, tournament record

Afghanistan in Asia Cup 2022: Here is a look at the schedule, recent tournament record, overall stats, form guide, key player and squad for Afghanistan for the Asia Cup T20 in UAE.

Over the past couple of years, Afghanistan has emerged as a dark horse that is capable of magic on its night. | Photo Credit: Francois Nel

AFGHANISTAN

Preview

Take a six-year timeline since its inability in qualifying for the 2016 Asia Cup T20, and Afghanistan has made rapid strides in the international arena. Its remarkable progress earned it the ICC full-member nation tag in 2017 and come the 2018 edition, Afghanistan ruffled a few feathers. 

Afghanistan topped its group comprising Bangladesh and Sri Lanka with wins over both sides in the group stage. It nearly pulled off a spot in the final before losing close matches to Pakistan and Bangladesh in the Super 4s. It also clinched a thrilling tie against India in the final match. 

Afghanistan leapfrogged Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in time for the 2021 T20 World Cup to seal an automatic spot in the Super 12s. In a campaign that could have gone either way with stiff matches against Pakistan and New Zealand, Afghanistan emerged as a team that cannot be taken lightly anymore - a dark horse capable of magic on its night. 

X-factor player

Rashid Khan

While he has not been at his phenomenal best in T20Is this year, Rashid Khan continues to cast a spot of doubt on the batter’s mind, time and again. He is way ahead in terms of wickets in all T20 cricket this year (62 in 47 matches).

Afghanistan will once again turn to ace spinner Rashid Khan for the crucial wickets in the Asia Cup. | Photo Credit: Alex Davidson

If the 24-year-old manages to draw his full potential out in the UAE, Afghanistan will be posing a huge threat for Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in the group stage. 

Form Guide (last 10 T20Is, most recent first): LWWLLWWWWL

Afghanistan’s Asia Cup record: Afghanistan has only featured in two Asia Cup tournaments - in 2014 and 2018. 

Afghanistan (Overall - ODI + T20I):  Played: 12, Won: 5, Lost: 6 Tied: 1

Afghanistan Asia Cup 2022 schedule

August 27: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, Dubai - 7:30PM IST

August 30: Afghanistan vs Bangladesh, Sharjah - 7:30PM IST

Afghanistan Asia Cup squad

Mohammad Nabi (C), Najibullah Zadran (VC), Afsar Zazai (WK), Azmatullah Omarzai, Farid Ahmad Malik, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran, Karim Janat, Mujib ur Rahman, Najibullah Zadran, Naveen ul Haq, Noor Ahmad, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Rashid Khan and Samiullah Shinwari. Reserves: Nijat Masoud, Qais Ahmad, and Sharafuddin Ashraf