Mohammad Asghar Afghan (Pashto: محمد اصغر افغان; born Mohammad Asghar Stanikzai) is a former Afghan cricketer who served as captain of the Afghanistan national cricket team across multiple formats. A right-handed batsman and medium-fast bowler, he is best known for leading Afghanistan in their inaugural Test match in 2018 and for his long association with the national side as a senior batsman and leader.
| Full name | Mohammad Asghar Afghan |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Mohammad Asghar Stanikzai |
| Nationality | Afghan |
| Batting | Right-handed |
| Bowling | Right-arm medium-fast |
| Role | Batsman; former captain of Afghanistan |
| Test debut | 14 June 2018, vs India |
| Name change | From Stanikzai to Afghan, 2 August 2018 |
| Retirement | October 2021, during the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup |
Asghar built his career as one of Afghanistan's most prominent batsmen during the country's rise through the ranks of international cricket. Originally known by the surname Stanikzai, he formally changed his last name to "Afghan" on 2 August 2018, shortly after Afghanistan attained Test status.
In May 2018, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) named Asghar as captain for the team's inaugural Test match, played against India. He made his Test debut in that fixture on 14 June 2018, leading Afghanistan into a new era of red-ball cricket.
In April 2019, the ACB removed Asghar from the captaincy across all three formats. The decision was reversed in December 2019, when the board reappointed him as captain of the Afghanistan cricket team in all formats.
In March 2021, during Afghanistan's series against Zimbabwe, Asghar featured in his 50th Twenty20 International as captain. In May 2021, he was again removed from the role of national team captain.
In October 2021, ahead of Afghanistan's match against Namibia in the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, Asghar announced his retirement from all forms of cricket following the game.
Asghar Afghan's career is closely intertwined with the development of cricket in Afghanistan. As the captain who led the side in its first-ever Test match and through several major ICC tournaments, he is regarded as a foundational figure in the country's emergence as a Full Member of the International Cricket Council.