Karachi: Cricket and Afghanistan does not enjoy much being each other and the history of relations between this country and the game went through critical situation throughout the history. Like all sports, cricket was initially banned in Afghanistan under the Taliban rule. However, it was later made an exception as the only sport approved by the Taliban.
The Afghanistan Cricket Federation was formed in 1995 but became an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) after six years in 2001.
The National team was on a tour of Pakistan when the US-led invasion of the country began in 2001 but they still continued their tour where they drew two and lost three out of their five matches.
The most highlited player of the team is Mohammad Shahzad who holds the record of most number of half centuries by Afghani player in T20, scoring three out of a total of five half centuries. He is also the most run getter i.e. 652.
The team appeared in the 2009 World Cup Qualifier. In the 2011 Cricket World Cup qualifying tournament, it failed to progress to the World Cup, but earned ODI status for four years.
Afghanistan has some shining moments in its cricket history as well as they won the ICC Intercontinental Cup in 2009–10. ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in 2010, ACC 2010 (Elite)and two times champion of ACC Twenty20 Cup in 2009 and 2011.