Afghanistan knighted as the second-best Asian team by Pakistan cricketer

Former Team India cricketer Wasim Jaffer said that Afghanistan are doing what Bangladesh and Pakistan failed to do in recent ICC tournaments. Urooj Mumtaz, the former Pakistan cricketer, stated that Afghanistan are the second-best team in the subcontinent, adding that there is a significant skill gap.

The Afghan team kept their semi-final hopes alive with an eight-run victory over England at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. England joined Pakistan and Bangladesh as the third team to be eliminated from the tournament.

Afghan team will face Australia in their final group-stage match in Lahore on February 28.

Afghanistan is doing These Kinds of Results - Wasim Jaffer

In a video shared by ESPNcricinfo on X (formerly known as Twitter), Wasim Jaffer praised the Afghan team for their consistent performances. He said that the Afghan team is achieving results that are expected from teams like Bangladesh and Pakistan.

"The things we expect Bangladesh to do or probably Pakistan to do, but Afghanistan are doing these kinds of results pretty consistently," Wasim Jaffer said.

The Afghan team came into the Champions Trophy 2025 as one of the contenders for a semi-final spot. They had impressive performances in recent ICC tournaments, including wins over England and Sri Lanka in the 2023 ODI World Cup. The team also reached the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup.

The Afghan team is currently third in the Group B standings of the Champions Trophy. They will take on Australia in their final group-stage match, where a victory will secure their place in the semi-finals.

The Afghan team Is the Second-Best Team in the Subcontinent - Urooj Mumtaz

In the same conversation, Urooj Mumtaz stated that the Afghan team is the second-best team in the subcontinent. She said that there is a skill gap between the Afghan team and teams like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.

"Afghanistan, without a doubt, are the second-best team in the subcontinent, and it's down to a few things," Urooj Mumtaz said.

"There is definitely a gulf between the skill level that the modern game now requires from the likes of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan compared to Afghanistan. I just feel Afghanistan has progressed far forward, and also the mindset in which they approach their cricket," she added.

Credit to Jonathan Trott and the Boys - Urooj Mumtaz

Urooj Mumtaz said that the Afghan team has multiple match-winners beyond Rashid Khan. She credited head coach Jonathan Trott for the team’s progress and added that the Afghan team is a true contender on the world stage.

"They've got some really good athletes, they've got really good match-winners, and it's not just Rashid Khan and company now. There are a few names that string together with Rashid, which probably signifies the evolution of the side as well," Mumtaz added.

"So, credit to Jonathan Trott and the boys for what they've done, and I don't think Afghanistan is, just like you said, just a splash. They are true contenders at the world stage, and I'm pretty sure they're going to give Australia a run for their money tomorrow as well," she concluded.

Glenn Maxwell played one of the greatest ODI innings against the Afghans in the 2023 World Cup. He scored an unbeaten 201 to rescue Australia from 91-7 and secure a win. The Afghan team took their revenge in the 2024 T20 World Cup, defeating Australia by 21 runs to eliminate them from the semi-final race.

Also read: Pakistan officially become worst host nation in Champions Trophy history after PAK vs BAN washout