The rivalry between the Afghanistan National Cricket Team and the Australian Men’s Cricket Team is a newer but rapidly growing contest in international cricket. Afghanistan’s rise from an associate nation to a competitive cricketing side has brought fresh excitement to matches against established teams like Australia. While Australia, with its rich history, world-class pace attack, and powerful batting line-up, often dominates, Afghanistan’s fearless players and tactical spinners have occasionally troubled the Aussies. Matches between these two sides, across T20s, ODIs, and ICC tournaments, are increasingly competitive, showcasing talent, resilience, and thrilling moments for cricket fans worldwide.
Recent: Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Australian Men’s Cricket Team
Tournament
Venue
Date
Toss
Afghanistan Score
Australia Score
Result
Series
Player of the Match
ICC Champions Trophy
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Feb 28, 2025
Afghanistan (bat)
273 (50 overs)
109/1 (12.5 overs)
No Result (rain affected)
ICC Champions Trophy
Not Awarded
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown
Jun 22, 2024
Australia (field)
148/6 (20 overs)
127 (19.2 overs)
Afghanistan won by 21 runs
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
Gulbadin Naib (AFG)
ICC Cricket World Cup
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Nov 07, 2023
Afghanistan (bat)
291/5 (50 overs)
293/7 (46.5 overs)
Australia won by 3 wickets
ICC Cricket World Cup 2023/24
Glenn Maxwell (AUS)
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Nov 04, 2022
Afghanistan (field)
164/7 (20 overs)
168/8 (20 overs)
Australia won by 4 runs
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022/23
Glenn Maxwell (AUS)
ICC Cricket World Cup
County Ground, Bristol
Jun 01, 2019
Afghanistan (bat)
207 (38.2 overs)
209/3 (34.5 overs)
Australia won by 7 wickets
ICC Cricket World Cup 2019
David Warner (AUS)
ICC Cricket World Cup
W.A.C.A, Perth
Mar 04, 2015
Afghanistan (field)
142 (37.3 overs)
417/6 (50 overs)
Australia won by 275 runs
ICC Cricket World Cup 2014/15
David Warner (AUS)
Bilateral ODI
Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium, Sharjah
Aug 25, 2012
Australia (bat)
206 (43.5 overs)
272/8 (50 overs)
Australia won by 66 runs
Australia tour of United Arab Emirates 2012
Mitchell Starc (AUS)
Head-to-Head Summary
Format
Matches Played
Afghanistan Won
Australia Won
Tied
No Result
Afghanistan Win %
Notes / Key Highlights
Test
0
0
0
0
0
–
No Tests played between the sides yet
ODI
5
0
4
0
1
0.00
Australia dominant; includes 1 no-result (rain) in 2025 Champions Trophy
T20I
2
1
1
0
0
50.00
Afghanistan’s famous 21-run upset win in 2024 T20 World Cup Super Eights
Overall (Intl)
7
1
5
0
1
~14.29
Australia leads decisively, but Afghanistan’s sole victory was historic and high-profile
Top Key Performances
Rank
Player
Performance Details
Match & Date
Format
Impact / Why Notable
1
Glenn Maxwell (AUS)
201* (128 balls, 21×4, 10×6) + 1/55
ICC Cricket World Cup, Nov 07, 2023
ODI
One of the greatest ODI innings ever; rescued Australia from 91/7 chasing 292 to win by 3 wickets; overcame severe cramps on one leg; secured semi-final spot
2
Gulbadin Naib (AFG)
4/20
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super Eights, Jun 22, 2024
T20I
Match-winning spell that dismantled Australia for 127; historic first victory for Afghanistan over Australia; earned Player of the Match
3
Ibrahim Zadran (AFG)
129* (143 balls)
ICC Cricket World Cup, Nov 07, 2023
ODI
Afghanistan’s first World Cup century; anchored 291/5 total; set up dramatic chase scenario
4
Glenn Maxwell (AUS)
59 (in chase)
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super Eights, Jun 22, 2024
T20I
Top-scored for Australia in defeat; fought hard but couldn’t prevent collapse
5
David Warner (AUS)
High aggregate (e.g., 178 in 2015 WC)
Various ODIs (multiple matches)
ODI
Consistent run-machine against Afghanistan; holds record for most runs in ODIs vs AFG
6
Pat Cummins (AUS)
3/28 (including hat-trick)
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super Eights, Jun 22, 2024
T20I
Late hat-trick to restrict Afghanistan; back-to-back T20 WC hat-tricks but still lost
7
Rashid Khan (AFG)
Strong economy & contributions (e.g., 2/44)
ICC Cricket World Cup, Nov 07, 2023
ODI
Key wickets & tight bowling; part of pressure-building phase before Maxwell’s heroics
Player Analysis Table
Rank
Player
Team
Format Focus
Matches
Runs / Wickets
Key Stats / Highlights
Notable Match Impact
1
Glenn Maxwell
Australia
ODI / T20I
~5-6
255+ runs (incl. 201*) / Few wickets
201* (128 balls, 21×4, 10×6) in 2023 WC chase from 91/7; highest World Cup chase score; also 1/55 bowling
Iconic double century rescued Australia; arguably greatest ODI innings ever
Dominant opener; record most runs vs Afghanistan in ODIs
3
Ibrahim Zadran
Afghanistan
ODI
Few
155+ runs (incl. 129*)
129* (143 balls) anchoring 291/5 in 2023 WC; Afghanistan’s first WC century vs AUS
Set competitive total; nearly pulled off upset
4
Rashid Khan
Afghanistan
All formats
5+
Multiple wickets (e.g., strong economy)
Tight spells; key wickets in pressure phases (e.g., 2/44 in 2023 WC)
Leading Afghan bowler; consistent threat
5
Mitchell Starc
Australia
ODI
4+
8 wickets
Best: 4/47 or similar; avg ~20.75; economical pace attack
Key destroyer in multiple wins
6
Gulbadin Naib
Afghanistan
T20I
Few
4/20 spell
Match-winning 4/20 in 2024 T20 WC Super Eights; dismantled AUS for 127
Historic upset win; Player of the Match
7
Pat Cummins
Australia
T20I / ODI
Few
Wickets incl. hat-trick
Late hat-trick in 2024 T20 WC to restrict AFG; strong death bowling
Clutch performer despite losses
8
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Afghanistan
T20I
Few
High contributions
Solid starts; part of competitive totals in T20Is
Emerging talent in shorter formats
Early Encounters and Afghanistan’s Rise (2010–2015)
Afghanistan and Australia first faced each other in ICC qualifiers and T20 tournaments in the early 2010s. During this period, Afghanistan was still an emerging side, while Australia was a dominant force in world cricket. The matches were largely one-sided, with Australia using experience, pace, and top-order batting to control games. However, Afghanistan’s spinners and emerging talent occasionally produced notable performances, signaling their potential to compete at higher levels. These early encounters provided invaluable experience and laid the foundation for a competitive rivalry in the years to come.
Year
Event
Format
Venue
Highlight
2010
ICC World T20 qualifiers
T20
UAE
First competitive encounters
2012
ICC qualifiers
ODI / T20
UAE
Afghanistan gains experience
2013
T20 series
T20
UAE
Australia dominates early matches
2015
ICC Cricket World Cup qualifiers
ODI
Australia
Afghanistan begins exposure to top teams
Growth and Competitive T20 Matches (2016–2020)
By the mid-2010s, Afghanistan developed a strong squad, including stars like Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. T20 cricket became the main arena where Afghanistan could challenge Australia’s dominance. Matches became more competitive, with Afghanistan’s spinners troubling top Australian batsmen and their fearless batting occasionally putting Australia under pressure. Australia generally won these encounters, but Afghanistan’s performances gained recognition for resilience and talent, marking the start of a more balanced rivalry in shorter formats.
Year
Event
Format
Venue
Highlight
2016
ICC World T20
T20
India
Rashid Khan’s breakthrough performances
2017
Bilateral T20 series
T20
UAE
Close encounters and exciting finishes
2018
T20 World Cup qualifiers
T20
UAE
Competitive displays from Afghanistan
2020
T20 series
T20
Australia
Australia maintains dominance but challenged
Modern Era and ICC Tournament Clashes (2021–2025)
In the 2020s, Afghanistan has grown as a competitive international cricketing nation. Matches against Australia now feature high-intensity gameplay, tactical bowling plans, and resilient batting from Afghanistan. Australia continues to rely on its experienced squad, fast bowling depth, and powerful batting, but Afghanistan has occasionally delivered thrilling performances, especially in T20 tournaments. ICC events, bilateral T20s, and World Cup encounters have highlighted the potential of Afghanistan as a respected opponent and made this rivalry increasingly interesting for fans globally.
Year
Event
Format
Venue
Highlight
2021
ICC T20 World Cup
T20
UAE / Oman
High-intensity matches
2022
Bilateral T20 series
T20
Australia
Afghanistan pushes Australia under pressure
2023
ICC tournaments
T20 / ODI
Various
Rising Afghan performances
2024
T20 series
T20
UAE
Close and competitive encounters
2025
Future ICC events
All formats
Various
Growing rivalry
Conclusion
The rivalry between the Afghanistan National Cricket Team and the Australian Men’s Cricket Team may be relatively new, but it has already produced exciting and memorable cricket moments. Australia’s depth, experience, and power often dominate, yet Afghanistan’s fearless players and world-class spinners have brought unpredictability and energy to every encounter. Matches are increasingly competitive, showcasing resilience, skill, and high-intensity cricket. As Afghanistan continues to rise and participate in ICC tournaments and bilateral series, this rivalry is expected to grow stronger, producing thrilling contests and unforgettable moments for cricket fans worldwide.