Afghanistan National Cricket Team based out of Kabul competes internationally. They participate in both T20 World Cup and ODI International tournaments under Rashid Khan as captain.
The growing rivalry highlighted in the Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Australian men’s Cricket Team Timeline has produced several thrilling encounters on the global stage.
Afghanistan staged their inaugural bilateral tour against an International Cricket Council member country, Ireland cricket team in India during March 2017.
Three Twenty20 and five One Day International (ODI) matches were contested; Afghanistan also received three T20 internationals as part of this tour.
| Date | Tournament | Venue | Result | Match Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Jun 2024 | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup | Kingstown, St Vincent | Afghanistan won by 21 runs | Afghanistan scored 148/6, while Australia were bowled out for 127. Gulbadin Naib took 4 wickets. |
| 7 Nov 2023 | ICC Cricket World Cup | Mumbai, India | Australia won by 3 wickets | Afghanistan posted 291/5, but Glenn Maxwell’s unbeaten 201 guided Australia to 293/7. |
| 4 Nov 2022 | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup | Adelaide, Australia | Australia won by 4 runs | Australia scored 168/8 and restricted Afghanistan to 164/7 in a thrilling finish. |
| 1 Jun 2019 | ICC Cricket World Cup | Bristol, England | Australia won by 7 wickets | Afghanistan were bowled out for 207, and Australia chased the target comfortably with 209/3. |
| 25 Aug 2012 | One Day International | Sharjah, UAE | Australia won by 66 runs | Australia made 272/8 before dismissing Afghanistan for 206 in their first ODI meeting. |
Test International
Afghanistan National Cricket Team represents Afghanistan internationally in test cricket. Governed by the Afghan Cricket Board established in 1995 and affiliated to International Cricket Council (ICC) since 2001.
Since then Afghanistan has also been granted full ICC membership along with Ireland granting them Test, ODI and T20I international status.
Cricket team’s rise is one of the greatest feats of modern sport. Originating in refugee camps in Pakistan during Afghanistan’s long civil war years of the 1980s and 90s, and then spreading quickly among young Afghans when they returned home, its popularity quickly reached new levels once founded by ACB as an affiliate member with ICC in 1995 (then full membership was gained later on in 2007).
In 2010, the national team made their ODI debut at the 2010 World Cup and had an outstanding showing, winning three and drawing two of five matches played to claim a strong showing that earned them eighth-ranked status worldwide for ODIs and ninth for T20Is simultaneously due to star batsman Mohammad Shahzad’s performance.
Afghanistan has managed to progress steadily through the International Cricket Council rankings despite an ongoing conflict, rising to thirteenth globally for T20Is and eleventh for ODIs by 2016.
Lalchand Rajput was appointed head coach in June 2016, hoping to improve Afghanistan’s standing by making them one of the six ODI and top three T20I teams by 2025.
The cricket team wears a red, white and green kit featuring the ACB logo on the left chest and sponsor logo on leading sleeve; shirt manufactured by Indian company PUMA; blue helmet with Afghanistan tricolor flag displayed above ACB logo; manufactured in Bangladesh.
T20 International
Afghanistan and Australia share an intense rivalry that is one of the most thrilling in international cricket. Both sides have faced each other head on during high-pressure situations at global tournaments, often culminating in dramatic chases or close finishes with individual brilliance often deciding match outcomes.
Afghanistan has gained more experience, while Australia has evolved their game accordingly to remain in contention with this fierce challenge from Afghanistan.
Afghanistan Cricket Team was established in 1995 and became an Affiliate member of the ICC in 2008 before later earning Associate membership. In 2011, Afghanistan played their inaugural series against a full member nation; Zimbabwe in ODI format; however they won 3-0 against T20Is in T20 format.
Though initially struggling, the team quickly made progress, competing in its inaugural ICC World Twenty20 qualifier in 2013.
Winning both matches and reaching the final, where they lost out to Sri Lanka. Over subsequent years, they were selected to play in several T20I tournaments including Asian T20 Cup and ACC T20 League Championship tournaments.
As the team gained more experience, their performances against Australia vastly improved. Their potent spin attacks and aggressive batting approach challenged Australia in ways they hadn’t done previously; and as the gap narrowed further. While Australia still won most matches, these contests provided fans with thrilling spectacle.
In 2024, these teams met again in the T20 World Cup at Arnos Vale Ground in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Australia needed a victory to advance into the semi-finals, but Afghanistan put up a determined fight, narrowly losing by four runs. Maxwell played brilliantly for Australia but Rashid Khan made headlines; taking eight wickets during Powerplay innings at an astonishing bowling strike rate of 12.05.
Maxwell himself also delivered an outstanding performance; taking eight wickets with an outstanding bowling strike rate of 1205!
Maxwell played brilliantly but Rashid Khan took eight wickets during Powerplay innings – impressively winning by four runs! Maxwell played brilliantly for hosts Australia; Rashid Khan proved outstanding during T20 World Cup play by taking eight wickets during Powerplay innings at St Vincent and Grenadines but lost by four runs!
Last time these teams faced each other was at the same venue in 2024 and both were hoping for a victory to improve their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals, however rain and some poor batting led both sides to tie on points for fourth place finish.
ODI International
Afghanistan National Cricket Team is the team representing Afghanistan as part of South Asia and full member of International Cricket Council (ICC), participating in Test and One-Day International matches as a powerhouse team in global cricket. Overtime they have shed their minnow status to become formidable competitors on both fronts.
Over the past 17 years, Pakistan’s cricket team has made great strides and now ranks amongst the top-10 ODI nations. Looking forward, Pakistan hopes to host an International Cricket Council (ICC) tournament by 2025.
Afghanistan took part in the 2011-13 ICC World Cricket League Championship, winning two matches and drawing with Canada and the United Arab Emirates.
Later, Afghanistan participated in the ACC Twenty20 Cup tournament where they won all five of their matches to claim victory and capture its championship.
Afghanistan have since taken part in several ODIs against full member nations, such as Pakistan and Zimbabwe, with notable results against Zimbabwe in both games – beating them by 59 runs to win their match, marking Afghanistan’s inaugural World Cup ODI win ever.
Soon thereafter, they participated in the 2015 World Cup, finishing fourth overall against some of the finest sides in cricket. Furthermore, they won four ODI series against Ireland, South Africa and Bangladesh during that year – a truly impressive accomplishment for such a young side!
After winning the 2015 World Cup, Afghanistan were chosen to compete against West Indies in three ODIs in July and August 2016. Led by former India coach Lalchand Rajput, this tour marked their inaugural visit to a full member nation.
Afghanistan Cricket Board has set itself the target of becoming one of the top six ODI sides by 2019 and top three across both ODIs and T20Is by 2025. To do this, more regular bilateral ODIs against full members must be played regularly.
T20 World Cup
The ICC World Twenty20 is the pinnacle of men’s twenty20 cricket. Contested by eight teams worldwide with large prize pools on offer, it first started back in 2003 as a single round-robin format – winners receiving the Champions Trophy trophy as their reward.
Afghanistan have made steady strides since moving into their first permanent home, the Sharjah Sports Complex in Dubai, in 2008. After becoming affiliate members of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2001 and attaining one-day international status in 2009 through performance at ICC World Cricket League Championships where they progressed from Division Five to Division Three within three tournaments before qualifying as an ODI/T20I team for 2009 World Cup Qualifier tournaments.
Afghanistan made their World Cup debut at India 2015 and began by beating Scotland by one wicket – though they did not advance past the first round. Afghanistan’s performance at this tournament demonstrated their growing strength and ability against more established opposition.
As Afghanistan gained more experience, they started challenging Australia in T20I matches. Afghanistan developed an aggressive bowling attack and strong batting style which forced Australia to chase massive totals more frequently, which in turn intensified their rivalry, leading to thrilling finishes during these T20Is between them.
Afghanistan currently features experienced players such as Mohammad Shahzad, Rashid Khan and Haratullah Zazai that have enabled it to build a powerful squad capable of competing with the best in limited-overs cricket.
Fast bowlers like Shahzad have been key components of Afghanistan’s success this year – taking most Powerplay wickets with an average strike rate of 12.9. They also excelled on different pitches which contributed to their recent victories; something which will only aid their progression further into the future.
