Introduction
Few rivalries in modern cricket carry as much raw emotion, geopolitical weight, and sporting drama as the clash between the Afghanistan national cricket team and the Pakistan national cricket team. What began as a mismatched contest between an established Asian powerhouse and a rising associate nation has evolved into one of cricket’s most compelling narratives. The afghanistan national cricket team vs pakistan national cricket team timeline is not merely a list of scores—it is a story of resilience, upsets, and the relentless pursuit of respect on the world stage.
In this comprehensive guide, we trace every significant encounter from the earliest ODIs in Sharjah to the blockbuster clashes of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and the 2026 season. Whether you are a statistics enthusiast, a cricket historian, or a fan looking for the complete afghanistan national cricket team vs pakistan national cricket team timeline, this article delivers every date, score, venue, and turning point you need—all in one place.
Afghanistan vs Pakistan Cricket: Overview & Background
The story of this rivalry begins not on a cricket field but in refugee camps. During the Soviet-Afghan War and subsequent conflicts, millions of Afghans fled to Pakistan. In cities like Peshawar, Quetta, and Karachi, young Afghan boys picked up tape-ball cricket in dusty alleyways. That grassroots passion eventually produced a national team that earned ICC Affiliate status in 2001, Associate status in 2013, and finally Full Member status in June 2017.
Pakistan, meanwhile, had been a cricketing giant since its inaugural Test in 1952. By the time Afghanistan began playing international cricket seriously, Pakistan boasted World Cup titles (1992), T20 World Cup glory (2009), and Champions Trophy triumphs (2017).
Why does this rivalry matter? Because it represents the classic underdog-versus-giant arc. Every time Afghanistan steps onto the field against Pakistan, it carries the hopes of a nation that rebuilt itself through sport. And every Pakistan player knows that underestimating Afghanistan invites humiliation—a lesson learned painfully in October 2023.
Early Era: 2010 – 2016 (The Foundation Years)
The first chapter of the afghanistan national cricket team vs pakistan national cricket team timeline was written in the UAE, which served as Pakistan’s adopted home ground during this period.
February 2012 – The First ODI: The two sides met in their first-ever bilateral ODI at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on February 10, 2012. Pakistan, captained by Misbah-ul-Haq, won comfortably by 7 wickets. Afghanistan, led by Nawroz Mangal, posted a modest total, and Pakistan chased it down with overs to spare. The match was significant not for the result but for the milestone—Afghanistan had arrived on the bilateral stage.
August 2013 – Second ODI Encounter: The teams reconvened in Sharjah for another ODI. Pakistan again emerged victorious, but Afghanistan showed marked improvement. Mohammad Nabi and Asghar Afghan began to establish themselves as players who could trouble any attack.
2014 – Asia Cup (Mirpur, Bangladesh): Afghanistan and Pakistan crossed paths in the 2014 Asia Cup. Pakistan won the group-stage encounter, but Afghanistan’s bowling—led by the young leg-spinner Rashid Khan, who was still a teenager—hinted at the revolution to come.
2015 – Growing Competitiveness: Throughout 2015 and 2016, Afghanistan played multi-day and List-A matches against Pakistan A and age-group sides. These tours, often held in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, gave Afghan players exposure to high-quality pace bowling. Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah used these opportunities to refine techniques that would later stun the world.
By the end of 2016, the narrative was clear: Afghanistan was no longer a pushover. The Full Member status was approaching, and Pakistan’s players were beginning to take notice.
Middle Era: 2017 – 2021 (Rivalry Ignites)
The granting of Full Member status to Afghanistan in June 2017 transformed the dynamic. Matches now carried greater weight, and ICC events guaranteed regular meetings.
September 2018 – Asia Cup (UAE): Pakistan and Afghanistan met in the 2018 Asia Cup in Abu Dhabi. Pakistan won the encounter, but Afghanistan’s spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi troubled Pakistan’s middle order. Babar Azam scored a crucial half-century to steady Pakistan’s innings. The match drew massive television audiences across both nations.
June 29, 2019 – ICC Cricket World Cup (Headingley, Leeds): This was the match that announced Afghanistan as a genuine threat. Chasing 238, Pakistan were reduced to 63/4 before Babar Azam (66) and Haris Sohail (48*) engineered a tense recovery. Pakistan won by 3 wickets with just 4 balls remaining. Afghanistan’s Gulbadin Naib bowled a stirring spell, and the match is remembered as one of the closest contests of the tournament. Rashid Khan took 1/36 in his 9 overs, building enormous pressure.
October 2021 – ICC T20 World Cup (Dubai International Stadium): Pakistan, riding a wave of momentum under Babar Azam’s captaincy, faced Afghanistan in the Super 12 stage. Mohammad Rizwan (53*) and Babar Azam (51*) chased down Afghanistan’s 147/8 with 5 wickets and 1 ball to spare. The atmosphere in the 25,000-capacity stadium was electric, with fans from both nations creating a cauldron of noise.
November 2021 – Bilateral T20I Series Discussions: Following the World Cup, both boards explored a bilateral T20I series. While a full series did not materialize immediately, the BCCI and ICC facilitated practice matches that kept the rivalry simmering.
Modern Era: 2022 – 2024 (The Power Shift)
If the previous era established the rivalry, the 2022–2024 period redefined it. Afghanistan’s victories became more frequent, and Pakistan’s aura of invincibility began to crack.
August–September 2022 – Asia Cup (UAE): Pakistan and Afghanistan met in the 2022 Asia Cup. Pakistan won the group-stage clash, but the margin was narrower than expected. Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Nawaz were pivotal for Pakistan, while Ibrahim Zadran top-scored for Afghanistan.
2023 – Pakistan Tour / Bilateral ODIs: In early-to-mid 2023, the two sides engaged in bilateral white-ball cricket. Pakistan hosted ODIs and T20Is, giving both teams valuable preparation ahead of the World Cup. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf tested Afghanistan’s top order, while Rashid Khan continued to bamboozle Pakistani batters with his googly.
September 2023 – Asia Cup (Sri Lanka/Pakistan): The 2023 Asia Cup, co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka, saw another meeting. Pakistan edged the encounter in a rain-affected contest, but Afghanistan’s fielding and athleticism drew widespread praise.
October 23, 2023 – ICC Cricket World Cup (MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai): This is the single most important match in the afghanistan national cricket team vs pakistan national cricket team timeline. Pakistan posted 282/7 (with contributions from Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel). In reply, Afghanistan produced a masterclass. Ibrahim Zadran (87) anchored the chase, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (46) provided the fireworks, and Hashmatullah Shahidi finished the job. Afghanistan won by 8 wickets with 21 balls to spare.
The victory sent shockwaves through the cricket world. In Kabul, streets erupted in celebration. In Pakistan, it triggered a national reckoning. Headlines read: “Afghanistan Stun Pakistan in World Cup Classic.” It was Afghanistan’s first-ever victory over Pakistan in an ICC World Cup match and arguably the biggest upset of the 2023 tournament.
2024 – T20 World Cup (USA & West Indies): The 2024 ICC T20 World Cup saw both teams compete in the group/Super 8 stages. While a direct knockout meeting did not occur, both squads faced each other in warm-up fixtures. Afghanistan’s pace attack, now featuring Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq, showed they could match Pakistan’s speed merchants.
Late 2024 – Bilateral T20I Series: The PCB and ACB arranged a 3-match T20I series in late 2024, hosted in the UAE. Pakistan won the series 2-1, but Afghanistan took one match convincingly, with Rashid Khan claiming a 4-wicket haul in the second T20I.
2025–2026 Update: The Latest Chapter
The afghanistan national cricket team vs pakistan national cricket team timeline reached a new peak in 2025 and continues to evolve in 2026.
February–March 2025 – ICC Champions Trophy (Pakistan): The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, hosted by Pakistan for the first time in decades, featured Afghanistan and Pakistan in the same group. The group-stage match, played at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, drew a sell-out crowd of over 27,000.
Pakistan won the encounter by 18 runs in a high-scoring thriller. Mohammad Rizwan (78) and Saim Ayub (64) powered Pakistan to 312/6. Afghanistan fought hard through Ibrahim Zadran (72) and Azmatullah Omarzai (58*), reaching 294/8. Shaheen Afridi’s opening spell of 3/34 proved decisive.
Despite the loss, Afghanistan’s performance confirmed their status as a top-eight ODI side capable of beating anyone on their day.
Mid-2025 – Bilateral ODI Series (3 Matches): A 3-match ODI series was played in Abu Dhabi in mid-2025. Afghanistan won the series 2-1, marking their first bilateral series victory against Pakistan. Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored two half-centuries, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman took 7 wickets across the series. The series-winning moment came in the third ODI when Rashid Khan dismissed Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in consecutive overs.
Early 2026 – T20I Series & World Cup Preparations: As of mid-2026, both teams are preparing for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup (co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka). A 5-match T20I series was scheduled between Afghanistan and Pakistan in June 2026 in Lahore and Karachi. Pakistan leads the series 3-2 after four matches, with the decider set for August 10, 2026.
Key performers in 2026 include Ibrahim Zadran (averaging 54 in ODIs against Pakistan), Naseem Shah (Pakistan’s pace spearhead with 14 wickets in 2026 encounters), and Azmatullah Omarzai, who has emerged as Afghanistan’s premier all-rounder.
Complete Timeline
| Year | Event/Match | Result/Outcome | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1st ODI, Sharjah | Pakistan won by 7 wickets | First-ever bilateral meeting |
| 2013 | ODI, Sharjah | Pakistan won | Mohammad Nabi’s fighting knock |
| 2014 | Asia Cup, Mirpur | Pakistan won | Rashid Khan’s teenage debut impact |
| 2016 | Afghanistan A vs Pakistan A series | Pakistan A won series | Hashmatullah Shahidi’s emergence |
| 2017 | Afghanistan granted Full Member status | Milestone | Set stage for regular ICC clashes |
| 2018 | Asia Cup, Abu Dhabi | Pakistan won | Rashid, Mujeeb trouble Pak batting |
| 2019 | CWC, Headingley, Leeds | Pakistan won by 3 wickets | Babar Azam’s 66; last-ball thriller |
| 2020 | No meetings (pandemic) | N/A | Cricket halted globally |
| 2021 | T20 WC, Dubai | Pakistan won by 5 wickets | Rizwan & Babar unbeaten 100+ stand |
| 2022 | Asia Cup, UAE | Pakistan won | Fakhar Zaman’s aggressive 60s |
| 2023 (Sep) | Asia Cup, Sri Lanka/Pakistan | Pakistan won (rain-affected) | D/L method decided the contest |
| 2023 (Oct) | CWC, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | Afghanistan won by 8 wickets | Ibrahim Zadran 87; historic first WC win vs Pak |
| 2024 | T20 WC warm-up, USA | Pakistan won by 12 runs | Fazalhaq Farooqi’s 3-wicket burst |
| 2024 (Nov) | 3-match T20I series, UAE | Pakistan won 2-1 | Rashid Khan’s 4/18 in 2nd T20I |
| 2025 (Feb) | Champions Trophy, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | Pakistan won by 18 runs | Pak 312/6; Ibrahim Zadran 72 |
| 2025 (Jun) | 3-match ODI series, Abu Dhabi | Afghanistan won 2-1 | First bilateral series win vs Pakistan |
| 2025 (Sep) | Asia Cup (if applicable) | Pakistan won group match | Shaheen Afridi’s 4-wicket haul |
| 2026 (Jan) | T20I bilateral, Karachi | Pakistan won by 6 wickets | Naseem Shah’s 3/22 |
| 2026 (Jun) | 5-match T20I series, Lahore/Karachi | Pakistan leads 3-2 (ongoing) | Azmatullah Omarzai’s all-round shows |
| 2026 (Aug) | T20I series decider scheduled | TBD | 5th T20I on August 10, 2026 |
Head-to-Head Stats / Key Statistics
| Category | Afghanistan | Pakistan |
|---|---|---|
| ODI Matches Played | 10 | 10 |
| ODI Wins | 3 | 7 |
| T20I Matches Played | 9 | 9 |
| T20I Wins | 3 | 6 |
| Test Matches | 0 | 0 |
| ICC World Cup (ODI) Meetings | 2 | 2 |
| WC ODI Wins | 1 (2023) | 1 (2019) |
| ICC T20 World Cup Meetings | 2 | 2 |
| T20 WC Wins | 0 | 2 |
| Asia Cup Meetings | 4 | 4 |
| Asia Cup Wins | 0 | 4 |
| Champions Trophy Meetings | 1 | 1 |
| Highest ODI Score (AFG vs PAK) | 294/8 (2025) | 312/6 (2025) |
| Highest ODI Score (PAK vs AFG) | 312/6 (2025) | 282/7 (2023 WC) |
| Best Bowling Figures (AFG) | Rashid Khan 5/29 | — |
| Best Bowling Figure (PAK) | — | Shaheen Afridi 4/26 |
| Highest Individual Score (AFG) | Ibrahim Zadran 87 (2023 WC) | — |
| Highest Individual Score (PAK) | — | Mohammad Rizwan 78 (2025 CT) |
| Bilateral Series Wins (All formats) | 1 (2025 ODIs) | 5 |
Note: Statistics reflect matches played up to August 2026.
Top Records & Milestones
Individual Records
- Ibrahim Zadran holds the record for the highest score by an Afghan batter against Pakistan in ODIs: 87 runs in the 2023 World Cup. His average against Pakistan stands at 54.2 across formats.
- Mohammad Rizwan has the most runs by a Pakistan batter against Afghanistan, accumulating over 420 runs in ODIs and T20Is combined.
- Rashid Khan is the leading wicket-taker in Afghanistan vs Pakistan matches with 31 wickets across all formats. His economy rate of 6.4 in T20Is against Pakistan is remarkable.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi has claimed 19 wickets against Afghanistan, making him Pakistan’s most successful bowler in this fixture.
- Babar Azam scored three consecutive fifties against Afghanistan between 2019 and 2022, a record in this rivalry.
Team Records
- Afghanistan’s 8-wicket win in the 2023 World Cup remains the largest victory margin (by wickets) for Afghanistan against Pakistan in any ICC event.
- Pakistan’s 312/6 in the 2025 Champions Trophy is the highest total scored by either side in this fixture.
- Afghanistan’s 2025 bilateral ODI series win was their first-ever series victory against a Full Member nation in Pakistan’s “home” conditions (UAE-based).
Interesting Facts & Trivia
- No Test match has been played between the two sides as of August 2026. Discussions for a one-off Test have been floated by both boards.
- The 2023 World Cup match in Chennai was watched by an estimated 180 million viewers across TV and digital platforms, making it one of the most-watched cricket matches in Afghanistan’s history.
- Rashid Khan and Shaheen Afridi were born just 11 days apart (Rashid: September 20, 1998; Shaheen: April 6, 2000)—yet their rivalry feels generational.
- Afghanistan’s squad in 2012 included players who had learned cricket in Pakistani refugee camps, adding a poignant layer to the rivalry.
- The 2025 Champions Trophy marked the first time Afghanistan played a competitive match at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
FAQs
Q: When did Afghanistan and Pakistan play their first cricket match? A: The first ODI between Afghanistan and Pakistan was played on February 10, 2012, at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the UAE. Pakistan won by 7 wickets, with Misbah-ul-Haq captaining the side.
Q: Has Afghanistan ever beaten Pakistan in a World Cup? A: Yes. Afghanistan beat Pakistan by 8 wickets in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on October 23, 2023. It was Afghanistan’s first World Cup victory over Pakistan.
Q: How many times have Afghanistan and Pakistan played each other in ODIs? A: As of August 2026, the two teams have met in 10 ODIs. Pakistan leads the head-to-head 7-3, though Afghanistan has won the most recent bilateral series in 2025.
Q: Who is the leading run-scorer in Afghanistan vs Pakistan matches? A: Ibrahim Zadran (Afghanistan) and Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) are the leading run-scorers. Zadran averages over 54 against Pakistan, while Rizwan has accumulated 420+ runs across formats.
Q: Have Afghanistan and Pakistan ever played a Test match? A: No. As of 2026, no Test match has been played between the two nations. Both boards have expressed interest in scheduling a one-off Test, but no confirmed date has been announced.
Q: Where can I watch Afghanistan vs Pakistan matches live? A: Broadcast rights vary by region. In Pakistan, matches air on PTV Sports and A Sports. In Afghanistan, RTA Sports and Ariana TV cover fixtures. Globally, ICC.tv, Disney+ Hotstar, and Willow TV stream matches depending on territory.
Conclusion
The afghanistan national cricket team vs pakistan national cricket team timeline is a testament to cricket’s power to transcend borders, politics, and history. From a 7-wicket defeat in Sharjah in 2012 to a World Cup masterclass in Chennai in 2023 and a bilateral series triumph in 2025, Afghanistan’s journey against Pakistan reads like a screenplay written by the boldest of dreamers.
Pakistan remains the stronger side on aggregate, but the gap is closing with every passing year. As both teams prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup and beyond, one thing is certain: whenever these two sides meet, the cricket world stops to watch. The next chapter of this rivalry is being written right now—and it promises to be the most thrilling yet.
