Introduction: Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Timeline
The story of Afghanistan vs England in cricket is one of contrast, courage, and change. On one side, you have England one of the oldest and most successful cricketing nations, with deep roots and a rich legacy. On the other side stands Afghanistan a relatively new team that has climbed the ranks through sheer determination, passion, and raw talent.
Though they’ve only faced each other a handful of times, each match between these two sides has been intense, meaningful, and, at times, unforgettable. These encounters are not just games they represent a clash of experience versus enthusiasm, legacy versus ambition.
Table of Contents
A Journey Through the Matches (2012 – Present)
The rivalry, though young, has evolved over the years. From Afghanistan’s early struggles to recent landmark victories, the timeline of Afghanistan vs England matches shows just how far Afghan cricket has come.
2012 T20 World Cup – A Harsh Beginning
Date: September 21, 2012
Venue: Colombo, Sri Lanka
This was the first-ever T20 World Cup meeting between England and Afghanistan. It was a tough start for the Afghan side. England dominated the match, winning by 116 runs. Luke Wright was the standout performer, scoring a brilliant 99 and taking home the Player of the Match award.
2015 ODI World Cup – First World Cup Face-off
Date: March 13, 2015
Venue: Sydney, Australia
Their first ODI World Cup clash took place in 2015. Rain played a part, and the match was decided using the Duckworth-Lewis method. England chased down the revised target with ease, winning by 9 wickets. Ian Bell led the way with a solid 52, while Chris Jordan picked up 2 wickets and was named Man of the Match.
2016 T20 World Cup – A Closer Fight
Date: March 23, 2016
Venue: Delhi, India
Afghanistan showed signs of growth in this encounter. England scored 142, and while Afghanistan fought back bravely, they eventually fell short by just 15 runs. It was a gritty performance that hinted at the potential brewing within the Afghan team.
2019 ODI World Cup – England’s Statement Win
Date: June 18, 2019
Venue: Manchester, England
England flexed their batting muscle in this match. Eoin Morgan lit up the tournament with a blistering 148 from just 71 balls — one of the best innings in World Cup history. England won by a massive 150 runs. Afghanistan, though outplayed, continued to gain valuable experience.
2023 ODI World Cup – A Historic Upset
Date: October 15, 2023
Venue: New Delhi, India
Afghanistan stunned the cricketing world with a sensational 69-run victory over England. Batting first, they scored 284, led by a fiery 80 from Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Mujeeb Ur Rahman played a key all-round role and deservedly earned the Player of the Match award. This win marked a major turning point — not just in the tournament, but in Afghanistan’s cricketing journey.
2025 ICC Champions Trophy – Another Big Win
Date: February 28, 2025
Venue: Lahore, Pakistan
Afghanistan did it again! In one of their finest performances, they beat England by 8 runs. Ibrahim Zadran played a magnificent knock of 177 off 146 balls, setting a tough target of 326. England came close with Joe Root scoring a valiant 120, but fell just short in the end. Zadran was named Man of the Match in what became another legendary chapter for Afghanistan.
What the Timeline Tells Us
From a heavy defeat in 2012 to back-to-back wins in 2023 and 2025, Afghanistan has transformed into a serious competitor on the world stage. England remains a strong, seasoned side — but the matches are no longer one-sided affairs. Afghanistan now walks into such contests with belief, not just hope.
As these two teams continue to evolve, fans can look forward to more electric encounters — where every run matters and every wicket is a moment of drama.
Head-to-Head Record
ODI Record
| Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | No Result | Ties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| England | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
T20I Record
| Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | No Result | Ties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| England | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Tournament Highlights – Series Results
| Season | Tournament | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2014/15 | ICC Cricket World Cup (Australia/New Zealand) | Australia |
| 2019 | ICC Cricket World Cup (England) | England |
| 2023/24 | ICC Cricket World Cup (India) | Australia |
| 2024/25 | ICC Champions Trophy (Pakistan/UAE) | India |
Afghanistan’s journey from hopeful contenders to genuine threats is nothing short of inspiring. Their matches against England are no longer mismatches — they are battles. And if recent results are anything to go by, this budding rivalry is only just getting started.
