Asia Cup 2025 Dark Horses: Teams that could surprise everyone

1. Afghanistan

Afghanistan have showed massive signs of improvement in the shortest format, even reaching the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup last year. Rashid Khan likes to lead his side from the front and there are enough match-winners who could make a difference.

While spin has always been the stronger department, Afghanistan now have some impactful pacers and brilliant batters in the top, middle, as well as the lower order. The Blue Tigers will be a tough side to beat, especially if they can play as a unit in the eight-team tournament. They have enough ammunition in the tank to lift the Asia Cup for the first time.