ISLAMABAD: While Afghanistan’s chances in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy may be nearly over, they have once again made their mark with a standout performance against England.
Although their defeat to South Africa, while not surprising, highlighted some weaknesses in their bowling on a somewhat favourable pitch, their victory over mighty England proved why Afghanistan should be feared in white-ball cricket.
The key to their victory was that it was not just a single individual effort. While Ibrahim Zadran and Azmatullah Omarzai garnered much of the attention with their performances, the win was a result of the team’s overall preparation leading up to the tournament, which has helped them progress in the 50-over format.
Afghanistan entered the Champions Trophy after securing four consecutive ODI series wins, defeating Ireland, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe.
Serious contender in 50-over format
These victories highlight Afghanistan’s steady transition from being known primarily as a T20 side to becoming a serious contender in the 50-over format.
Their strong showing in the 2023 ODI World Cup was the first step in this journey, and their victory over England further supports the notion that they are on the rise.
Given that many of their players are active in T20 leagues year-round, their adaptability is impressive.
Afghanistan’s fielding coach, Shane McDermott, shared his thoughts with media that their success is the result of long-term planning and preparation.
“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,” said McDermott.
“Since the ODI World Cup, the team has matured in all aspects – batting, bowling, and fielding. We’ve worked on improving fitness, agility, and mental resilience, ensuring that the team can perform as well as possible under pressure,” he said.
“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 said.
Improving batting, bowling
Moreover, McDermott also revealed that they are meticulous in their plans in both the batting and bowling departments.
While individual flair is undeniable, the Australian felt that it is the attention to detail that has made them progress at a rapid rate.
“Afghanistan is extremely disciplined in planning. The team spends a lot of time analysing opponents, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and preparing strategies accordingly,” said McDermott.
“Bowlers work on specific matchups, while batters focus on adapting to different conditions. Fielding has become more structured, with key performance indicators to measure progress.
The team is driven to improve, and that’s reflected in their approach to preparation,” he said.
However, Afghanistan had another tough day in the field during their match against Australia, particularly in the second half.
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They appeared far from their best as routine catches were dropped and there were a few other fielding mistakes. Even Rashid Khan, known for his high standards, missed a straightforward chance to dismiss Travis Head when he was early in his innings.
That said, the overall fielding standards have seen significant improvement since the end of the 2023 ODI World Cup.
It was their fielding, after all, that arguably cost Afghanistan in that tournament, particularly in the match against Australia.
Shift in team’s morale and approach
McDermott, who joined the team after the World Cup, discussed the shift in the team’s morale and approach to fielding.
“I was not with the team in 2023 and came in post that time. I think the team was experiencing a lack of confidence and direction in the field previously, possibly playing too much as individuals without team cohesion,” said McDermott.
“Now, we focus on staying calm, maintaining energy in the field, and executing our plans as a fielding unit as best as possible. The key takeaway was the importance of sustaining intensity for the full 50 overs. So, we instilled a group hunting mentality, encouraging the players to rally each other, ensuring that each individual maintains a positive attitude in doing their best for the betterment of the team,” he said.
“We review our field placements, catching under pressure, and ways to maintain composure when an opposition player is in top form,” he further added.
Afghanistan has long been regarded as a ‘dark horse’ in major tournaments, with their performances against stronger teams often seen as surprising.
However, their rapid progress over the past 24 months has made it clear that they no longer belong in that category.
While the country has always had abundant natural talent, it is now being complemented by strategic planning, unlocking immense potential for the team.
The 2026 T20 World Cup, set to be held in India, could provide another platform for Afghanistan to solidify their reputation as a formidable white-ball side.
