Batting Really The Issue? Analysing What Went Wrong For Afghanistan Since Reaching T20 WC Semis

Afghanistan During Asia Cup 2025 - (Source : AFP)

The Asia Cup 2025 is heading towards its business end, as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh have all qualified for the Super Four stage, which begins on Saturday. It was a three-way battle in group B, where the Island Nation, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan were all in contention to qualify till the last match.

The Rashid Khan-led side required a win to go through, but suffered a six-wicket defeat that ended their campaign on a disappointing note. The Afghans were the most disappointing side in this tournament as they only registered a single win in three games.

In the past decade, Afghanistan have been the most improved team across the world. Their highest cricketing achievement came in 2024 when the Rashid Khan-led side reached the semi-finals.

It was the tournament to be remembered for Afghanistan, as the Asian side registered big wins over the likes of Australia and New Zealand.

However, in the past year, things have gone downhill for the Rashid Khan-led side, and this article will look at what has been going wrong for Afghanistan. 

1. Opening Pair Not Clicking

Batting has always been an issue for Afghanistan. Even during the 2024 T20i World Cup, the Afghan middle-order struggled to score runs. However, one thing where Afghanistan have desperately struggled in the past year is their opening pair not clicking.

During 2024 T20 World Cup, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran opened opened for Afghanistan. They were on song during that tournament as the duo amassed 512 runs runs in eight innings. 

However, during Asia Cup 2025, Afghanistan demoted Zadran down the order and the top-order failed to amass runs. The duo scored just 87 runs in three innings. 

Looking At Gurbaz & Zadran's Combined Stats From 2024 World Cup To Asia Cup

2. Pacers Struggling To Pick Early Wickets

Afghanistan are known for their bowling prowess. They have one of the finest and arguably the best spin attack in the world. However, often their seamer's efforts go unnoticed. Fazhalhaq Farooqi and Naveen Ul-Haq took early wickets during T20 World Cup 2024, which helped the spinners to weave magic.

However, in the ongoing Asia Cup, the opposition put big runs on the board and the spinners failed to control the run-flow. During 2024 T20 World Cup, Fazalhaq Farooqi was the leading wicket-taker of the entire tournament with 17 wickets.

However, in Asia Cup, he only picked up two wickets in three innings, while Naveen ul-Haq was ruled out of the tournament because of shoulder injury.

Looking At Fazalhaq Farooqi & Naveen ul-Haq's Combined Stats From 2024 World Cup To Asia Cup

3. Rashid Khan Struggling 

Rashid was a different beast a year ago when he was Afghanistan's top-bowler and not only the batter feared him, but also threw their wicket away and bowed to his mastery despite deliberate efforts to play the Afghan star carefully.

However, in the last year, things have changed as Rashid is struggling to pick up wickets and has now been overshadowed by Noor Ahmad in the team as the primary spinner.

Rashid's performance in 2024 T20 World Cup And Asia Cup 2025

---

ALSO READ

"It Wasn't Typical Abu Dhabi": Rashid Khan On Asia Cup Exit Despite Nabi Blitz

---