Although their encounters are relatively recent, every match between Afghanistan and England has forged memorable moments—upsets, breakthroughs, and tales of emerging talent. Here’s the full ODI and T20I timeline, followed by context and insights.
1. Head-to-Head Record
| Format |
Matches Played |
Afghanistan Wins |
England Wins |
Notes |
| ODIs |
3 |
2 |
1 |
Afghanistan’s breakthrough wins came in 2023 & 2025 |
| T20Is |
3 |
0 |
3 |
All meetings in ICC T20 World Cups |
| Tests |
0 |
– |
– |
No Test matches to date |
2. Match-by-Match Timeline
| Date |
Tournament |
Venue |
Result |
Key Highlights |
| 21 Sep 2012 |
ICC T20 World Cup |
Colombo |
England won by 23 runs |
Afghanistan’s first clash with England in international cricket |
| 18 Jun 2019 |
ICC World Cup |
Manchester |
England won by 150 runs |
England scored 397/6; Afghanistan replied with 247/8 |
| 15 Oct 2023 |
ICC World Cup |
Delhi |
Afghanistan won by 69 runs |
Rashid Khan & Mujeeb starred; first Afghan win over England |
| 26 Feb 2025 |
ICC Champions Trophy |
Lahore |
Afghanistan won by 8 runs |
Ibrahim Zadran 177 & Omarzai’s 5-for stunned England |
3. Milestones and Turning Points
- 2012 – Afghanistan made their debut against England in the T20 World Cup; despite defeat, it marked a major step on the global stage.
- 2019 – England’s massive ODI win in Manchester reflected the gulf in class at that time.
- 2023 – Afghanistan shocked the defending champions England in Delhi, securing a 69-run World Cup victory.
- 2025 – At the Champions Trophy in Lahore, Afghanistan achieved a famous win by 8 runs, eliminating England from the tournament.
4. Key Performers
- Ibrahim Zadran – 177 vs England in 2025, Afghanistan’s highest individual ODI score.
- Azmatullah Omarzai – Match-winning five-wicket haul in the same 2025 Champions Trophy clash.
- Rashid Khan & Mujeeb Ur Rahman – Consistent wicket-takers in limited-overs games against England.
- England’s Dominance in T20Is – Jos Buttler, Alex Hales, and Moeen Ali have led England’s clean sweep in three World Cup encounters.
5. Bullet-Point Summary
- Overall: England remain dominant in T20Is (3–0), while Afghanistan have now edged ahead in ODIs (2–1).
- Historic Wins:
- 2023 ODI World Cup, Delhi – Afghanistan’s first victory over England.
- 2025 Champions Trophy, Lahore – Afghanistan knocked England out with a dramatic 8-run win.
- No Tests: The two sides are yet to meet in red-ball cricket.
- Symbolism: The rivalry illustrates Afghanistan’s rapid rise from underdogs to genuine competitors in ICC tournaments.
