Hey there, cricket fans! Imagine a scrappy underdog from the rugged mountains of Afghanistan stepping into the ring with the polished giants of English cricket. That’s the story of the Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Timeline. It’s not just about scores and wickets—it’s a tale of dreams, hard work, and those heart-pounding moments that make cricket the beautiful game it is. Whether you’re a kid just discovering the sport or a grandparent who’s seen it all, this timeline will take you through their clashes like a friendly chat over tea. We’ll break it down simply, with highlights, fun facts, and even a handy table to keep things straight. Buckle up—it’s been a wild ride since their first meeting!
Cricket in Afghanistan? Yeah, it’s a big deal. Born in refugee camps during tough times in the 1980s, the sport spread like wildfire back home. By 2001, they joined the ICC as affiliates, and fast-forward to today: Afghanistan’s team is a force, thanks to stars like Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi. England, on the other hand, is cricket royalty—think Lord’s, test matches since 1877, and legends like Joe Root. But when these two teams collide, it’s anyone’s game. They’ve played mostly in limited-overs formats (ODIs and T20Is), with no Tests yet. Total head-to-head? Afghanistan has pulled off some magic, but England usually has the edge. Let’s dive into the timeline.
The Dawn of a Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Timeline Rivalry: Early Days and World Cup Sparks (2015 Onward)
Their story kicks off in 2015, during the ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia. Afghanistan had just earned their spot as an Associate nation punching above their weight. England, the hosts’ old rival, was expected to cruise. But cricket loves a twist!
2015: The Humble Beginning in Sydney
Picture this: March 13, 2015, at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Sunny skies, packed stands, and Afghanistan batting first. They scratched together 111/7 in a rain-shortened 41-over game. Shapoor Zadran, their fiery pacer, tried his best, but England’s openers Jason Roy and Alex Hales chased it down with ease, finishing at 101/1 in just 24 overs. England won by 9 wickets (DLS method). It was a tough lesson for the Afghans— their first ODI against a Test giant ended in a blink. But hey, they showed fight. Fun fact: This was only Afghanistan’s second World Cup, and they nearly defended that low total before the rain gods intervened. England walked away smiling, but the seeds of rivalry were planted.
2019: A High-Scoring Thriller in Manchester
Fast-forward to June 18, 2019, Old Trafford, Manchester. The 2019 World Cup was in full swing, and England was chasing glory at home. Afghanistan, more experienced now with spinners like Rashid Khan turning heads, batted first and posted a solid 247/8. Rahmat Shah’s gritty 84 was the backbone, supported by half-centuries from Hashmatullah Shahidi and Gulbadin Naib.
England? They exploded. Jonny Bairstow’s blistering 112 off 94 balls set the tone, and Eoin Morgan’s unbeaten 92 pushed them to 397/6—the highest total of the tournament so far! Afghanistan’s chase crumbled under the pressure, all out for 215. Moeen Ali’s 4/35 was the wrecker-in-chief. England won by 150 runs, a massive margin that highlighted the gap. But whispers started: Afghanistan’s total was the highest they’d scored against England. And that match aggregate? A whopping 644 runs—one of the highest in World Cup history. It was a wake-up call, showing Afghanistan could compete if they fired.
The Turning Point: 2023 World Cup Upset That Shook the World
Now, here’s where it gets juicy. October 15, 2023, Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. The 2023 ODI World Cup in India was electric, and Afghanistan was on a roll after beating Sri Lanka and Pakistan. England, the defending champions, were wobbling but still favorites.
Afghanistan won the toss and batted, building a fortress of 284/8. Ibrahim Zadran’s elegant 72, Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s explosive 53, and Rashid Khan’s quick 35* made it tough. Enter the bowling attack: Rashid (2/19), Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2/35), and Fazalhaq Farooqi (3/37) turned the pitch into a minefield. England’s top order collapsed—Joe Root out for a duck, Harry Brook for 15. They limped to 215 all out in 50.3 overs, with Dawid Malan top-scoring 32.
Afghanistan won by 69 runs! Their first-ever ODI victory over England. Pandemonium in Kabul—streets filled with dancing fans. Rashid Khan called it “one of the best days of my life.” This upset wasn’t just a win; it boosted Afghanistan to the semi-final conversation (they finished 8th but with four wins). For England, it was a reality check in a tournament they barely scraped into the semis. Key stat: Afghanistan’s spinners took 7 of the 10 wickets. Pure magic!
The T20I Fireworks: Quick-Hitting Clashes Full of Drama
While ODIs tell the longer story, T20Is are the sprint—short, sharp, and full of surprises. Afghanistan and England have clashed three times in T20 World Cups, with England holding all the cards so far. But each game’s been a nail-biter.
2016: The Inaugural T20I in Mumbai
March 21, 2016, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. T20 World Cup group stage. Afghanistan, led by Asghar Afghan, chased a tricky 116 set by England (who scored 115/8, with Chris Jordan’s 4/10 keeping it tight). Openers Mohammad Shahzad (34) and Noor Ali Zadran (41) got them close, but England fought back. In the end, Afghanistan fell short at 113/7, losing by 6 runs. Moeen Ali’s 36* off 20 was clutch. This was their first T20I meeting—Afghanistan showed they could chase under lights, but England’s experience won out. Crowd favorite? Shahzad’s aggressive starts.
2022: A Close Shave in Hobart
October 22, 2022, Bellerive Oval, Hobart. Another T20 World Cup, Super 12 stage. England batted first, racking up 179/5 thanks to Phil Salt’s 40 and Liam Livingstone’s 29*. Afghanistan’s reply was fiery: Hazratullah Zazai’s 13-ball 32 and Najibullah Zadran’s 47 nearly pulled it off. But Adil Rashid’s 3/22 and Chris Woakes’ cool head sealed a 5-wicket win for England (Afghanistan 160/7). It was tense—needing 20 off the last over, Rashid Khan’s run-out ended the dream. England advanced; Afghanistan’s hearts broke. Fun twist: This match delayed England’s semi-final spot, adding pressure.
2024: The Barbados Heartbreaker
June 15, 2024, Kensington Oval, Barbados. T20 World Cup Super 8s. Rain loomed, but England posted 183/7—Jos Buttler’s 24 and Jonny Bairstow’s 29 set a par score. Afghanistan’s chase: Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 11, but Azmatullah Omarzai’s 30 and Rashid Khan’s 13* kept hope alive. They finished at 127/8, losing by 65 runs (adjusted for rain). England’s bowlers, led by Adil Rashid (3/19), dominated. This one hurt—Afghanistan was in semi-final contention, but it knocked them out. Still, their fight earned respect. Key moment: Rashid’s defiant innings on a tricky pitch.
The Latest Chapter: 2025 Champions Trophy Stunner
Just this year—February 26, 2025, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. ICC Champions Trophy Group B clash. Both teams needed points: Afghanistan after a loss to South Africa, England after falling to Australia.
Afghanistan batted first, slumping to 56/3. But Ibrahim Zadran’s masterful 177 (the highest in Champions Trophy history) and a gritty 41 from Azmatullah Omarzai pushed them to 258/9. England started strong at 197/4, with Joe Root’s 74. But Omarzai’s 5/58—the best figures by an Afghan in ICC ODIs—sparked a collapse. England folded to 200 all out. Afghanistan won by 58 runs! Player of the Match: Zadran. Coach Jonathan Trott beamed: “Afghanistan will never be taken lightly again.” This victory leveled their ODI head-to-head at 2-2 and lit up social media. England, now on a six-match ODI losing streak, has soul-searching to do.
Head-to-Head Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Timeline Table: At a Glance
To make it super easy, here’s a full table of all their encounters. Sorted chronologically, with formats, venues, and key highlights. (Note: No Tests played yet—maybe one day!)
| Date | Format | Venue | Toss Winner | Afghanistan Score | England Score | Result | Margin | Key Performers (AFG) | Key Performers (ENG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 13, 2015 | ODI (WC) | Sydney Cricket Ground | England | 111/7 (41 ov) | 101/1 (24 ov) | England won | 9 wkts (DLS) | Shapoor Zadran (2/38) | Jason Roy (41*), Alex Hales (57*) |
| Jun 18, 2019 | ODI (WC) | Old Trafford, Manchester | Afghanistan | 247/8 (50 ov) | 397/6 (50 ov) | England won | 150 runs | Rahmat Shah (84) | Jonny Bairstow (112), Eoin Morgan (92*) |
| Oct 15, 2023 | ODI (WC) | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi | Afghanistan | 284/8 (50 ov) | 215 (50.3 ov) | Afghanistan won | 69 runs | Ibrahim Zadran (72), Rashid Khan (2/19) | Dawid Malan (32) |
| Feb 26, 2025 | ODI (CT) | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | Afghanistan | 258/9 (50 ov) | 200 (45.2 ov) | Afghanistan won | 58 runs | Ibrahim Zadran (177), Azmatullah Omarzai (5/58) | Joe Root (74) |
| Mar 21, 2016 | T20I (WC) | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | England | 113/7 (20 ov) | 115/8 (20 ov) | England won | 6 runs | Noor Ali Zadran (41) | Moeen Ali (36*) |
| Oct 22, 2022 | T20I (WC) | Bellerive Oval, Hobart | England | 160/7 (20 ov) | 179/5 (20 ov) | England won | 5 wkts | Najibullah Zadran (47) | Liam Livingstone (42*) |
| Jun 15, 2024 | T20I (WC) | Kensington Oval, Barbados | England | 127/8 (20 ov) | 183/7 (20 ov) | England won | 65 runs (DLS) | Azmatullah Omarzai (30) | Adil Rashid (3/19) |
Legend: WC = World Cup, CT = Champions Trophy, ov = overs, wkts = wickets. Data up to Sep 2025—no further matches recorded.
Stats That Tell the Story: By the Numbers
- Overall Head-to-Head: 7 matches (4 ODIs: 2-2; 3 T20Is: 0-3). England leads 5-2.
- Highest Team Total: England 397/6 (2019 ODI).
- Lowest Total: Afghanistan 111/7 (2015 ODI).
- Afghanistan’s Best Bowler vs ENG: Azmatullah Omarzai (5/58, 2025).
- England’s Best vs AFG: Moeen Ali (4/35, 2019).
- Player of the Moment: Ibrahim Zadran—two match-winning knocks in ODIs.
These numbers aren’t just digits; they’re proof of growth. Afghanistan’s win rate against England? Up from 0% to 50% in ODIs!
What Makes This Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Timeline Rivalry Special? Heart, Spin, and Underdog Spirit
Think about it: Afghanistan plays “home” games in UAE or India, battling politics and pitches that spin like cyclones. Yet, their leg-spinners (Rashid, Mujeeb) trouble even England’s best. England brings power-hitting and seam swing, but they’ve learned respect— that 2023 upset humbled them.
For young fans: It’s like David vs Goliath, but David keeps landing punches. Lessons? Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. For all ages: Cricket unites— from Kabul streets to London pubs, these matches spark joy.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Timeline?
As of September 2025, no scheduled clashes, but with Afghanistan eyeing the 2026 T20 World Cup and England rebuilding post-2025 woes, expect fireworks. Maybe a Test? A bilateral series? The timeline’s just beginning.
