The Afghanistan national cricket team has begun their tour of Qatar, arriving in Doha on 11 November to play a three-match T20 series against the Qatar national team. The tour serves as crucial preparation for the upcoming ACC Rising Stars Asia Cup, which begins later this month at the same venue — the West End Park International Cricket Stadium.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has made it clear that this tour is more than just a warm-up; it is a calculated step toward refining combinations, assessing young players, and ensuring the squad is match-ready for a packed competitive calendar. The matches against Qatar are designed to simulate tournament conditions and provide valuable time in the middle before the Rising Stars Asia Cup gets underway.
Led by Darwish Rasooli, the squad includes several emerging players alongside a few established names returning from domestic and franchise cricket. The ACB’s focus for this series is on building squad depth and grooming younger talents who could make the transition to the senior national side in the coming months. This tour, therefore, represents both a test of form and an investment in the team’s long-term structure.
Conditions in Doha are expected to closely resemble those in the upcoming tournament, making this series a practical rehearsal for Afghanistan. The team will pay close attention to how their bowlers adapt to the dry, flat pitches and how their batting order handles Qatar’s disciplined bowling attack. The coaching staff have stressed the importance of tactical awareness — particularly the middle-overs approach and finishing ability — areas that have been highlighted in previous tournaments.
While Afghanistan enter the series as firm favourites, Qatar’s cricket has grown steadily in recent years, and the hosts are expected to put up a spirited fight. The games will give Afghanistan a chance to test their bowling combinations, experiment with batting lineups, and fine-tune their fielding intensity under pressure.
This tour also carries symbolic weight for Afghanistan cricket. After a period of heavy international travel and major tournaments, the team’s commitment to preparation reflects a more professional, structured approach under the ACB’s revamped performance program. Officials have emphasised the importance of consistency and discipline, aiming to establish Afghanistan as one of Asia’s most resilient cricketing nations across all levels.
Players such as Noor Ahmad, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Qais Ahmad are expected to feature prominently during the tour, with selectors keeping a close watch on performance and fitness levels. The ACB’s medical and support staff have coordinated the schedule to prevent fatigue while maintaining intensity ahead of the Asia Cup.
With the Rising Stars Asia Cup acting as a major opportunity to showcase emerging Asian talent, Afghanistan’s decision to arrive early and play Qatar is strategic. These matches offer the dual benefit of acclimatisation and confidence-building, giving the squad an early sense of rhythm before competitive action begins.
For Afghanistan, the Doha series is not about the result alone — it’s about setting the tone. A strong showing against Qatar will provide momentum and morale as the team prepares to defend its position among Asia’s rising cricket powers.
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