Afghanistan’s quick ascent: a combination of ability and discipline

Even though Afghanistan’s chances of winning the current Champions Trophy are slim, their historic performance against England has left them with a lasting impression. Although it wasn’t shocking, Hashmatullah Shahidi‘s team was shaken by the loss to South Africa since their bowling on a comparatively favorable surface was lacking. But the triumph over England demonstrated why Afghanistan is a formidable opponent in white-ball cricket.

The crucial aspect of that victory was that they didn’t cross the finish line on their own. Even though Azmatullah Omarzai and Ibrahim Zadran stole the show with their performances, the team’s increased success in the 50-over format was a direct outcome of their pre-tournament preparation.

Afghanistan have won four consecutive ODI series going into the event. On their way to winning the Champions Trophy, they defeated South Africa, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, and Ireland. These outcomes confirm that Afghanistan, which has been linked with T20 cricket for far too long, is gradually transitioning to the ODI format. The idea that they are on the rise is further reinforced by their victory against England. Their great performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup was the first step in that regard. This versatility is no small accomplishment, considering that the majority of their players participate in T20 leagues throughout the year.

Afghanistan is benefiting from long-term planning and preparation, Shane McDermott, their fielding coach, said Cricbuzz.

“Afghanistan’s progress has been built on consistency, confidence, and a focus on being the best at consistently doing the little things that require no talent – the fundamentals,” McDermott said.

“The team has improved in every area since the ODI World Cup, including fielding, bowling, and hitting. To make sure the team can perform at its best under duress, we’ve worked on enhancing mental toughness, agility, and fitness,” he stated.

“Preparation-wise, we’ve focused on nailing the basics – match simulations, decision-making under pressure, and refining key skills to compete at the highest level consistently,” he stated.

In the batting and bowling departments, McDermott also disclosed that they have very specific strategies. Although there is no denying individual flair, the Australian believed that their rapid improvement was due to their attention to detail.

“Afghanistan has very strict planning regulations. According to McDermott, the team invests a lot of time in researching opponents, determining their advantages and disadvantages, and then formulating plans of action.

“While batters concentrate on adjusting to various conditions, bowlers practice specific matchups. With key performance indicators to gauge advancement, fielding has grown more organized. The team’s preparation strategy reflects their desire to get better,” he remarked.

However, during the brief second half of play, Afghanistan’s match versus Australia was yet another forgettable day on the field. As regulation catches decreased and there were a few fielding blunders, they appeared to be far from their peak as a fielding unit. Travis Head was extremely early in his innings when even a player of Rashid Khan’s caliber put down a simple chance of his. Nevertheless, following the conclusion of the 2023 ODI World Cup, fielding has significantly improved overall. Afghanistan may have lost that tournament and the match against Australia due to fielding. Although Glenn Maxwell’s knock was unforgettable, the outcome might have been different if the Asian team had taken their catches.

McDermott, who joined the team following the World Cup, gave an explanation of the team’s change in fielding morale.

“I came in post in 2023, when I wasn’t on the team. According to McDermott, “I believe the team was lacking confidence and direction in the field before, perhaps playing too much as individuals without team cohesion.”

“As a fielding unit, we now concentrate on remaining composed, sustaining our energy in the field, and carrying out our strategies as effectively as we can. The significance of maintaining intensity for the entire 50 overs was the main lesson learned. In order to ensure that each player keeps a positive attitude while trying their best for the team’s improvement, we developed a group hunting mentality and encouraged the players to support one another,” he stated.

“We review our field placements, catching under pressure, and ways to maintain composure when an opposition player is in top form,” he stated.

Afghanistan is frequently referred to as a “dark horse” at major events, and its results against more formidable opponents are frequently somewhat unexpected. They no longer fall into that category, though, given their explosive ascent during the past 24 months. The nation has always had a wealth of natural talent, but now that it is being combined with strategic preparation, the team’s potential is enormous. The 2026 T20 World Cup, which will take place in India, may present Afghanistan with yet another chance to establish themselves as a formidable white-ball team.