The rivalry between the Pakistan National Cricket Team and the Afghanistan National Cricket Team has quickly become one of the most exciting contests in modern cricket. While Pakistan brings experience, pace bowling, and a rich cricketing legacy, Afghanistan adds fearless energy, world-class spin, and rising talent. Their matches are often intense, closely fought, and filled with dramatic moments, especially in ICC tournaments. This rivalry represents a clash between an established cricket powerhouse and an emerging force, making every encounter thrilling for fans worldwide.
Latest Matches
Tournament
Venue
Date
Toss
Pakistan Score
Afghanistan Score
Result
Series
Player of the Match
Bilateral T20I
Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
07 Sep 2025
Pakistan (bat)
141/8 (20 overs)
66 (15.5 overs)
Pakistan won by 75 runs
UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025 (Final)
Mohammad Nawaz (PAK)
Bilateral T20I
Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
02 Sep 2025
Afghanistan (bat)
151/9 (20 overs)
169/5 (20 overs)
Afghanistan won by 18 runs
UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025
Ibrahim Zadran (AFG)
Bilateral T20I
Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
29 Aug 2025
Pakistan (bat)
182/7 (20 overs)
143 (19.5 overs)
Pakistan won by 39 runs
UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025
Salman Agha (PAK)
Asian Games Men’s T20I
ZJUT Cricket Field, Hangzhou
06 Oct 2023
Afghanistan (field)
115 (18 overs)
116/6 (17.5 overs)
Afghanistan won by 4 wickets
Asian Games 2023 (Semi-Final)
–
Bilateral T20I
Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
27 Mar 2023
Afghanistan (field)
182/7 (20 overs)
116 (18.4 overs)
Pakistan won by 66 runs
Afghanistan v Pakistan 2022-23
Shadab Khan (PAK)
Bilateral T20I
Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
26 Mar 2023
Pakistan (bat)
130/6 (20 overs)
133/3 (19.5 overs)
Afghanistan won by 7 wickets
Afghanistan v Pakistan 2022-23
Fazalhaq Farooqi (AFG)
Bilateral T20I
Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
24 Mar 2023
Pakistan (bat)
92/9 (20 overs)
98/4 (17.5 overs)
Afghanistan won by 6 wickets
Afghanistan v Pakistan 2022-23
Mohammad Nabi (AFG)
Head-to-Head Summary
Format
Matches Played
Pakistan Wins
Afghanistan Wins
No Result
Key Highlight
T20I
10
6
4
0
Afghanistan won 4 of last 7 T20Is – rising giant!
ODI
8
7
1
0
Afghanistan’s lone win: Historic 8-wicket thriller in 2023 World Cup
Test
0
0
0
0
No official Test matches yet
Overall
18
13
5
0
Pakistan leads, but rivalry getting fiercer every year!
Most Memorable Matches
Match & Year
Format
Venue
Result
Why It’s Memorable
ICC Cricket World Cup 2023
ODI
Chennai
Afghanistan won by 8 wickets
Massive giant-killing upset! Afghanistan chased comfortably and shocked the world.
Asia Cup 2018
T20I
Abu Dhabi
Pakistan won in final over thriller
Nail-biting finish with last-ball drama – one of the best T20 clashes ever.
T20I Series 2023 (2nd Match)
T20I
Sharjah
Afghanistan won by 7 wickets
Afghanistan’s first-ever T20I series win over Pakistan – historic moment!
T20I Tri-Nation Series 2025 (Final)
T20I
Sharjah
Pakistan won by 75 runs
Dominant Pakistan performance in the final – clinical bowling display.
Asian Games 2023 (Semi-Final)
T20I
Hangzhou
Afghanistan won by 4 wickets
Afghanistan marched into the final with a fighting chase under pressure.
Best Player Analysis
Player
Team
Format
Key Achievement
Highlight Moment
Ibrahim Zadran
AFG
ODI
87 runs (Player of the Match)
Masterclass chase in 2023 World Cup upset win
Rashid Khan
AFG
T20I
Match-winning spells & economy
Spin wizard who often troubles Pakistan top order
Shaheen Shah Afridi
PAK
ODI/T20I
Multiple 3-4 wicket hauls
Deadly pace that restricts Afghanistan batters
Babar Azam
PAK
All
Consistent high scores (100+ in ODIs)
Anchor innings that set up big Pakistan totals
Shadab Khan
PAK
T20I
All-round impact (bat + leg-spin)
Game-changing contributions in Sharjah encounters
History and Emergence of the Rivalry
The cricketing relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan began in the early 2010s when Afghanistan started competing regularly in ICC tournaments. Afghanistan’s rapid rise in international cricket brought them face-to-face with top teams like Pakistan. Initially, Pakistan dominated due to their experience and depth, but Afghanistan quickly proved they were not to be underestimated. Their competitive spirit and ability to challenge stronger teams made this rivalry more engaging. Over the years, matches between these two teams have become more frequent, especially in Asia Cup and World Cup tournaments. The rivalry reflects Afghanistan’s incredible cricketing journey and Pakistan’s role as a benchmark team in the region.
Year
Format
Venue
Winner
Highlight
2012
T20
Sharjah
Pakistan
First meeting
2014
Asia Cup
Mirpur
Pakistan
Close finish
2018
Asia Cup
Abu Dhabi
Pakistan
Last over win
2019
WC
Leeds
Pakistan
Narrow victory
2023
WC
Chennai
Afghanistan
Historic win
Memorable Matches and Key Moments
Pakistan vs Afghanistan matches have produced several unforgettable moments despite the rivalry being relatively new. One of the most iconic matches came during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, where Pakistan narrowly defeated Afghanistan in a tense finish. Another thrilling encounter was the 2022 Asia Cup match, where Pakistan chased down the target in dramatic fashion. Afghanistan’s historic win against Pakistan in the 2023 World Cup marked a turning point, showcasing their growth and ability to defeat top teams. These matches highlight the competitiveness and unpredictability of this rivalry.
Match
Year
Format
Winner
Key Moment
WC Match
2019
ODI
Pakistan
Last over drama
Asia Cup
2018
ODI
Pakistan
Tight finish
Asia Cup
2022
T20
Pakistan
Dramatic chase
WC Match
2023
ODI
Afghanistan
Historic win
T20 Match
2012
T20
Pakistan
First clash
Head-to-Head Record Across Formats
The head-to-head statistics between Pakistan and Afghanistan show Pakistan’s dominance, but Afghanistan’s recent performances indicate a shift in momentum. Afghanistan has pushed Pakistan into close contests and even secured important victories in recent years. These numbers reflect the evolving nature of the rivalry and the growing competitiveness of Afghanistan on the global stage.
Format
Matches
Pakistan Wins
Afghanistan Wins
Draw/Tie
Test
0
0
0
0
ODI
8
7
1
0
T20I
7
5
2
0
ICC Events
6
5
1
0
Overall
15
12
3
0
Key Players in Pakistan vs Afghanistan Matches
This rivalry has showcased some outstanding players who have influenced match outcomes. For Pakistan, stars like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi have played crucial roles. Afghanistan has relied on world-class talents such as Rashid Khan and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who bring aggression and skill. These players have made the rivalry more exciting with their match-winning performances and consistency.
Player
Team
Role
Matches vs Rival
Impact
Babar Azam
Pakistan
Batsman
10+
Consistent
Shaheen Afridi
Pakistan
Bowler
8+
Strike bowler
Rashid Khan
Afghanistan
Bowler
10+
Game changer
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Afghanistan
Batsman
6+
Aggressive
Mohammad Rizwan
Pakistan
Wicketkeeper
10+
Reliable
Pakistan vs Afghanistan in ICC Tournaments
ICC tournaments have provided the biggest stage for this rivalry. Pakistan has often held the upper hand in these high-pressure matches, but Afghanistan has delivered strong performances that have challenged Pakistan’s dominance. The 2023 World Cup victory for Afghanistan stands out as a milestone moment, proving their ability to compete with top-tier teams. These matches are closely watched by fans due to their intensity and unpredictability.
Tournament
Matches
Pakistan Wins
Afghanistan Wins
Notable Result
ODI World Cup
3
2
1
2023 upset
T20 World Cup
2
2
0
Pakistan leads
Asia Cup
4
4
0
Close games
ICC Total
5
4
1
Competitive
Overall ICC
5
4
1
Growing rivalry
Playing Style and Strength Comparison
Pakistan and Afghanistan have contrasting playing styles that make their matches exciting. Pakistan is known for its pace attack and unpredictable performances, while Afghanistan excels in spin bowling and aggressive batting. This difference in approach creates tactical battles where adaptability becomes key. Afghanistan’s fearless attitude often puts pressure on Pakistan, resulting in closely contested matches.
Aspect
Pakistan
Afghanistan
Advantage
Notes
Batting
Strong
Aggressive
Pakistan
Depth
Bowling
Pace-heavy
Spin-heavy
Afghanistan
Rashid factor
Fielding
Good
Energetic
Afghanistan
Athletic
Experience
High
Growing
Pakistan
Big matches
Adaptability
Strong
Improving
Equal
Competitive
Recent Trends and Future Outlook
In recent years, the rivalry between Pakistan and Afghanistan has become more competitive, with Afghanistan showing significant improvement. Pakistan continues to maintain an edge due to its experience and strong bowling attack, but Afghanistan’s rise has added unpredictability. Young talents and evolving strategies ensure that this rivalry will continue to grow in the coming years. Fans can expect more thrilling encounters as Afghanistan closes the gap with Pakistan.
Year
Event
Winner
Key Player
Trend
2019
WC Match
Pakistan
Babar
Close win
2022
Asia Cup
Pakistan
Asif Ali
Thriller
2023
WC Match
Afghanistan
Gurbaz
Historic
2024
Series
Pakistan
Shaheen
Comeback
2025
Future
TBD
TBD
Growth
Conclusion
The Pakistan National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team matches represent a modern and rapidly evolving rivalry in international cricket. While Pakistan has traditionally dominated, Afghanistan’s rise has made contests more competitive and exciting. With talented players and growing confidence, Afghanistan is challenging established teams, ensuring that this rivalry continues to deliver thrilling moments and high-quality cricket for fans around the world.
