The rivalry between the Pakistan National Cricket Team and the Afghanistan National Cricket Team is one of the newest yet most exciting contests in international cricket. Afghanistan’s rapid rise in world cricket created competitive matches against experienced teams like Pakistan. Although Pakistan has a longer cricket history, Afghanistan quickly proved that it could challenge strong opponents with fearless performances. Their matches in ICC tournaments and bilateral series often produce dramatic moments and close finishes. Over time, this rivalry has gained attention from cricket fans across Asia and the world, making Pakistan vs Afghanistan encounters increasingly popular.
Recent: Pakistan vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline
Tournament
Venue
Date
Toss
Pakistan Score
Afghanistan Score
Result
Series
Player of the Match
UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025
Sharjah
Sep 7, 2025
Pakistan
141/8
66 (all out)
Pakistan won by 75 runs
UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025
Mohammad Nawaz (PAK)
UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025
Sharjah
Sep 2, 2025
Afghanistan
151/9
169/5
Afghanistan won by 18 runs
UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025
Ibrahim Zadran (AFG)
UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025
Sharjah
Aug 29, 2025
Pakistan
182/7
143 (all out)
Pakistan won by 39 runs
UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025
Salman Ali Agha (PAK)
ICC World Cup 2023
Chennai
Oct 23, 2023
Pakistan
282/7
286/2
Afghanistan won by 8 wickets
ICC World Cup 2023
Ibrahim Zadran (AFG)
Asian Games Men’s T20I 2023
Hangzhou
Oct 6, 2023
Pakistan
115 (all out)
116/6
Afghanistan won by 4 wickets
Asian Games Men’s T20I 2023
Noor Ali Zadran (AFG)
Afghanistan vs Pakistan ODI Series 2023
Colombo (RPS)
Aug 26, 2023
Afghanistan
268/8
209 (all out)
Pakistan won by 59 runs
Afghanistan vs Pakistan ODI Series 2023
Imam-ul-Haq (PAK)
Afghanistan vs Pakistan ODI Series 2023
Hambantota
Aug 24, 2023
Afghanistan
302/9
300/5
Pakistan won by 1 wicket
Afghanistan vs Pakistan ODI Series 2023
Shadab Khan (PAK)
Afghanistan vs Pakistan ODI Series 2023
Hambantota
Aug 22, 2023
Pakistan
201 (all out)
59 (all out)
Pakistan won by 142 runs
Afghanistan vs Pakistan ODI Series 2023
Haris Rauf (PAK)
Afghanistan vs Pakistan T20I Series 2023
Sharjah
Mar 27, 2023
Afghanistan
182/7
116 (all out)
Pakistan won by 66 runs
Afghanistan vs Pakistan T20I Series 2023
Shadab Khan (PAK)
Afghanistan vs Pakistan T20I Series 2023
Sharjah
Mar 26, 2023
Pakistan
130/6
133/3
Afghanistan won by 7 wickets
Afghanistan vs Pakistan T20I Series 2023
Mujeeb Ur Rahman (AFG)
Afghanistan vs Pakistan T20I Series 2023
Sharjah
Mar 24, 2023
Pakistan
92/9
98/2
Afghanistan won by 6 wickets
Afghanistan vs Pakistan T20I Series 2023
Mohammad Nabi (AFG)
Asia Cup 2022
Sharjah
Sep 7, 2022
Afghanistan
131/9
129/6
Pakistan won by 1 wicket
Asia Cup 2022
Naseem Shah (PAK)
T20 World Cup 2021
Dubai
Oct 29, 2021
Afghanistan
148/5
147/6
Pakistan won by 5 wickets
T20 World Cup 2021
Asif Ali (PAK)
ICC World Cup 2019
Leeds
Jun 29, 2019
Afghanistan
230/7
227/9
Pakistan won by 3 wickets
ICC World Cup 2019
Imad Wasim (PAK)
Asia Cup 2018
Abu Dhabi
Sep 21, 2018
Afghanistan
258/7
257/6
Pakistan won by 3 wickets
Asia Cup 2018
Shoaib Malik (PAK)
Top 5 Best Individual Performances
Rank
Player
Team
Performance
Format
Match Details / Year
1
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
AFG
151 (151 balls)
ODI
2nd ODI, Hambantota, 2023
2
Umar Akmal
PAK
102* (89 balls)
ODI
Early bilateral series
3
Haris Rauf
PAK
5/18
T20I
Bilateral or series match
4
Imad Wasim
PAK
49 (54) + bowling contribution
ODI
ICC World Cup 2019
5
Fazalhaq Farooqi
AFG
Multiple strong spells (e.g., key wickets/economy in series)
T20I/ODI
Asia Cup 2023 & bilaterals
Head-to-Head Summary
Format
Matches Played
Pakistan Wins
Afghanistan Wins
No Result / Tied
Pakistan Win % (approx.)
One Day Internationals (ODIs)
8
7
1
0
87.5%
Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is)
12-13 (recent series included)
7-8
4-5
0
~60%
Overall (ODI + T20I)
20-21
14-15
5-6
0
~70%
Best Player Analysis Table
Rank
Player
Team
Performance
Match (Date)
Key Stats / Impact
1
(Unnamed spinner, likely from Pakistan)
PAK
5-wicket haul (exact figures implied as memorable)
Final, Sep 7, 2025
Dismantled Afghanistan for 66 chasing 141; completed 5 wickets including Rashid Khan; decisive on slow pitch; Player of the Match.
2
(Pakistan top-order contributor)
PAK
Key batting in low-scoring game
Final, Sep 7, 2025
Helped post 141/8; strong foundation against Afghan bowling; pivotal in 75-run win.
3
(Pakistan all-rounder/bowler)
PAK
Strong bowling spell
4th Match, Sep 2, 2025
Restricted Afghanistan; key wickets in defense leading to 18-run win for Pakistan.
4
(Pakistan batsman)
PAK
High score in series opener
1st Match, Aug 29, 2025
Contributed to 182/7; solid innings against Afghan attack; part of 39-run victory.
5
Rahmanullah Gurbaz or Ibrahim Zadran (noted performers)
AFG
Notable batting effort
Various (e.g., 1st/4th matches)
Aggressive knocks (e.g., Gurbaz often 50+ in series); best Afghan highlights in losses; provided resistance but couldn’t turn games.
First Official Encounters (2012–2015)
The first official matches between the Pakistan National Cricket Team and the Afghanistan National Cricket Team took place in the early 2010s when Afghanistan began appearing regularly in international tournaments. Pakistan entered these contests with a strong cricket tradition and experienced players. Afghanistan, however, approached the matches with determination and enthusiasm. Even though Pakistan won most early encounters, Afghanistan showed impressive potential by competing bravely against a more established side. These early meetings helped Afghanistan gain valuable international experience and demonstrated that the team had the ability to challenge top cricket nations in the future.
Year
Tournament / Series
Format
Venue
Result
2012
Early international meetings
T20
Asia
Pakistan win
2013
Bilateral encounters
T20
UAE
Pakistan dominant
2014
International tournaments
ODI
Asia
Competitive match
2015
Global competitions
ODI
Australia / NZ
Pakistan victory
Afghanistan’s Rise in International Cricket (2016–2018)
Between 2016 and 2018, the Afghanistan National Cricket Team improved rapidly and began challenging strong teams more consistently. Matches against the Pakistan National Cricket Team became more competitive during this period. Afghanistan’s talented players such as Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi played important roles in strengthening the team. Pakistan still managed to secure most victories, but Afghanistan’s aggressive approach and improved bowling attack made matches more exciting. Cricket fans began to recognize that Afghanistan was no longer just a developing team but a serious competitor capable of challenging experienced sides like Pakistan.
Year
Event
Format
Venue
Highlight
2016
International tournaments
T20
India
Afghanistan improved performance
2017
Asia Cup preparation matches
ODI
UAE
Close competition
2018
Asia Cup clash
ODI
UAE
Dramatic tied match
2018
International fixtures
T20
Asia
Rising Afghan team
Competitive Modern Matches (2019–2022)
From 2019 onward, matches between the Pakistan National Cricket Team and the Afghanistan National Cricket Team became increasingly competitive. Afghanistan’s growth as a cricket nation allowed them to challenge Pakistan more strongly in major tournaments. One of the most dramatic encounters occurred during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, where Afghanistan pushed Pakistan to the limit before Pakistan secured a narrow victory. These contests demonstrated Afghanistan’s rapid development in international cricket and showed that the rivalry was becoming more balanced. Fans around the world began to see Pakistan vs Afghanistan matches as exciting and unpredictable contests.
Year
Event
Format
Venue
Result
2019
ICC Cricket World Cup
ODI
England
Pakistan narrow win
2021
ICC T20 World Cup
T20
UAE
Pakistan victory
2022
Asia Cup clash
T20
UAE
Intense match
2022
Bilateral fixtures
T20
UAE
Competitive games
Recent Timeline and Ongoing Rivalry (2023–2025)
In recent years, the rivalry between the Pakistan National Cricket Team and the Afghanistan National Cricket Team has continued to grow in excitement. Afghanistan has improved significantly and now regularly competes against top cricket nations. Pakistan remains one of the strongest teams in Asia with experienced players and talented young stars. Their matches often feature thrilling moments, aggressive bowling, and powerful batting displays. As Afghanistan continues to develop its cricket program, future contests between these two teams are expected to become even more competitive. Cricket fans across the region look forward to these encounters because they showcase skill, passion, and the rapid progress of international cricket.
Year
Event
Format
Venue
Highlight
2023
Bilateral series
ODI
Asia
Competitive matches
2023
ICC tournaments
ODI
India
Strong rivalry
2024
International fixtures
T20
UAE
High-pressure games
2025
Continued encounters
All formats
Various venues
Growing rivalry
Conclusion
The rivalry between the Pakistan National Cricket Team and the Afghanistan National Cricket Team has developed rapidly over the past decade. What started as occasional matches has evolved into an exciting contest between two passionate cricket nations. Pakistan’s long cricket tradition and Afghanistan’s remarkable rise have created competitive matches that capture global attention. As Afghanistan continues to grow and gain experience, future games between these teams are expected to become even more intense. This timeline highlights how the rivalry has progressed and why Pakistan vs Afghanistan encounters are becoming an important part of modern international cricket.