Afghanistan’s cricketing journey has been nothing short of remarkable. From being the underdogs in international cricket to beating top-tier teams, they have shown immense growth and promise. South African fast-bowling legend Dale Steyn believes that Afghanistan is on the verge of achieving something extraordinary—winning an ICC tournament within the next decade. However, for them to make that final leap, Steyn has suggested that the team must embrace patience in both their individual and collective approaches to the game.
Afghanistan’s Performance in the Champions Trophy 2025
Afghanistan’s campaign in the 2025 Champions Trophy saw moments of brilliance, yet they fell short of making the knockout stages. Their thrilling victory over England in Lahore was a highlight, showcasing their ability to challenge the best in the world. However, they struggled in other matches, losing their opening game against South Africa and looking vulnerable against Australia before rain interrupted play.
While Afghanistan has shown they can compete with top teams, their inconsistency has prevented them from making deeper runs in major tournaments. Steyn’s assessment of their game highlights the key areas they need to address to truly become a force to be reckoned with.
Steyn’s Advice: Patience is Key
Dale Steyn, one of the greatest fast bowlers in history, emphasized the need for patience in Afghanistan’s approach to both batting and bowling.
“Back in the day, a lot of players would go play county cricket or first-class cricket to improve their skills and, more importantly, their patience. I think we live in a time now where people are not patient enough. We can hardly watch two seconds on an Instagram story, and it just feels like the Afghanistan players are similar when they’re playing their cricket.”
Steyn’s observation points to a key issue—Afghanistan’s tendency to play in an overly aggressive manner, often prioritizing instant results over building a solid foundation in a game. Their batsmen frequently aim for big shots early in their innings, and their bowlers often look for wickets with every delivery rather than building pressure.
“They want things to happen so quickly,” Steyn continued. “Every ball must be a wicket; there’s no patience in building up and taking a wicket. And sometimes, the batters are the same. There’s so much movement happening in the crease, they’re trying to hit a six, they’re trying to get the game going.”
While Afghanistan has gained experience playing T20 cricket across the world, Steyn suggested that spending more time in longer formats like four-day cricket and first-class matches could help them develop patience, which is crucial for excelling in One Day Internationals (ODIs). “One-day cricket is essentially a shortened version of a Test match. It has its moments where T20-style aggression is applied, but patience is one of the biggest things Afghanistan players need to learn. Once they get that down, honestly, in the next decade, they could win ICC tournaments, for sure.”
Wasim Jaffer’s Perspective: Afghanistan’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer, too, praised Afghanistan’s rise in international cricket. He pointed out that Afghanistan’s victories against top teams are no longer seen as “upsets,” but rather a testament to their growing strength.
“Afghanistan are on the rise,” Jaffer said. “And you’ve got to applaud them because they’ve played semi-finals [at the 2024 T20 World Cup], they’ve beaten good teams, and when they beat anybody, it’s not an upset anymore. So, you can expect Afghanistan to put on a show.”
However, Jaffer also highlighted the importance of starting tournaments well, something Afghanistan struggled with in the Champions Trophy.
“They will be disappointed [with] the way they started the first game. In such a short tournament, it’s important to start really well because you don’t get too many chances. One loss, and you could be out of the tournament, which happened here.”
Another area of concern Jaffer pointed out was Afghanistan’s batting inconsistency, particularly in run chases.
“Their batting needs to improve as well. We say that they are not a big chasing team. Their [Nos.] 3, 4, 5, even though Atal played well today, Rahmat Shah needs to be more consistent. He got a 90 in the first game, [Hashmatullah] Shahidi got stuck today, and Gurbaz, who is their main player, had a very off tournament. That’s where I think they lacked this time.”
The Need for a Stable Batting Lineup
Afghanistan’s batting talent is undeniable, but their key batters need to find consistency. Ibrahim Zadran’s match-winning 177 against England was a prime example of their potential, but the inability of other batsmen to contribute consistently has hurt them. Sediqullah Atal’s 85 against Australia was impressive, yet he failed to convert it into a bigger score. Meanwhile, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, arguably their best batsman, had a forgettable tournament, managing only 16 runs in three games.
For Afghanistan to truly challenge for ICC titles, their top order must fire collectively rather than rely on individual brilliance. The middle order also needs to step up and play calculated cricket, balancing aggression with responsibility.
Bowling: Strength with Room for Improvement
Afghanistan’s bowling attack remains their biggest strength. Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad have established themselves as world-class spinners, while Fazalhaq Farooqi has been effective with the new ball. However, Steyn’s observation about their approach to wicket-taking suggests they must develop a more tactical mindset.
Rather than expecting immediate results with every delivery, Afghan bowlers need to learn the art of setting up batsmen over a spell, just as legendary pacers like Steyn himself did throughout their careers. If they can incorporate this mindset, their bowling unit will become even more formidable.
Looking Ahead: Afghanistan’s Future in ICC Tournaments
Afghanistan’s journey in international cricket has been rapid, and they have already proven they can compete at the highest level. Their semi-final finish in the 2024 T20 World Cup and their victories against top-tier teams demonstrate their immense potential.
With the right blend of patience, consistency, and strategic improvement, Afghanistan could very well be lifting an ICC trophy in the next decade. Steyn’s insights into their need for greater patience, combined with Jaffer’s assessment of their weaknesses, provide a clear roadmap for their future success.
By focusing on a balanced approach—harnessing their natural aggression while developing discipline—Afghanistan could transform into a true powerhouse in world cricket. If their players gain more experience in longer formats, improve their batting depth, and refine their bowling strategies, there is no reason why they cannot fulfill Steyn’s prediction and win an ICC tournament within the next ten years.
