Asia Cup 2025: Why Afghanistan Have A Strong Chance To Win The Title

The eight-team Asia Cup 2025 is set to kick start on September 9. While the likes of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka remain favourites to win the trophy as they have done so on numerous occasions, we could see Afghanistan win their first major tournament. They have been placed in Group B along with Sri Lanka, Hong Kong and Afghanistan.

Here's why they can potentially pip the favourites to claim the coveted title:

World Cup experiences

Afghanistan were potentially a win away from making the semi-final of the ODI World Cup in 2023, where they beat England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. While it was indeed a commendable achievement, they went one step further and made the semis in the T20 World Cup the following year. They beat New Zealand, Australia and Bangladesh there, but were outclassed by South Africa in the semis.

With the experience they have gathered across the two tournaments, it would be fitting that they go all the way in the Asia Cup.

World-class spinners

Afghanistan have more often than not relied on their spinners to win them matches. They have talented spinners like Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi and Noor Ahmad, to name a few. Moreover, they have played every league in the world and fared well, making things easy when they play in the UAE. 

The opposition batters are going to find it tough to get past them for sure.

Sharp head coach

Jonathan Trott has turned this Afghanistan team around since he took charge in 2022. The results are there for everyone to see, especially in white-ball cricket, where they have fared so well in multi-team tournaments. Under Trott's watchful eyes, Afghanistan are no longer dependent on their spinners, but the batters and pacers too have chipped in when it mattered the most.

Will the Asia Cup be Trott's deserved reward for the hard work he has put in?