Let’s be honest. When you say “Afghanistan vs Bangladesh”, a lot of casual fans shrug and say, “Oh, that’s the boring one.” But those fans haven’t been watching closely enough.
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Timeline is actually one of the most competitive, dramatic, and emotionally loaded stories in modern cricket. It’s two teams who don’t get enough credit fighting it out with everything they’ve got — spin, pace, guts, and pure street-smart cricket.
From nervous first meetings in associate cricket to heated Super Eight showdowns in the ICC T20 World Cup, the Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team story has only gotten better with time. So pull up a chair, let’s walk through it all.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Match data, statistics, and records are sourced from publicly available platforms including ESPNcricinfo, ICC Cricket, and Cricbuzz, and are accurate as of the last updated date (April 16, 2026). While every effort has been made to ensure factual accuracy, cricket statistics are subject to revision. Always verify with official sources for the most precise figures.
A Quick Look at the Big Picture: Overall Head-to-Head
Before we dive into the timeline, here’s a snapshot of where things stand across all formats.
Overall Head-to-Head Summary
| Format | Total Matches | AFG Wins | BAN Wins | Tied/NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | 16 | 7 | 9 | 0 |
| ODI | 22 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| Test | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total (approx.) | ~39 | ~19 | ~20 | 0 |
The overall head-to-head is now virtually level. Afghanistan have dramatically closed the gap, particularly in ODIs — where a 3-0 series sweep in 2025 transformed the record — and in their sole Test meeting, which Afghanistan won by 224 runs.
Expert Insight: “Afghanistan’s rise from associate cricket to ICC event semi-finalists is one of cricket’s greatest underdog stories. Their clashes with Bangladesh always carry the extra weight of two nations proving they belong at the top table.” — Former ICC analyst, paraphrased.
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Timeline: Year by Year
2014 – The Rivalry Begins
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Timeline officially kicked off in 2014 with T20I matches. These were the early days when Afghanistan were still finding their footing as an emerging Test nation and Bangladesh were establishing themselves as a genuine mid-table ODI force.
The matches were competitive, but Bangladesh had the home advantage and the experience edge. Afghanistan’s spinners — even then — made things uncomfortable. Bangladesh won the ICC T20 World Cup group match in Chittagong by 7 wickets on March 30, 2014.
2015 – First ODI World Cup Clash, Canberra
The biggest early chapter came at the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup in Canberra.
ODI World Cup Head-to-Head
| Year | Venue | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 18, 2015 | Canberra, Australia | Bangladesh | 105 runs |
| Jun 24, 2019 | Southampton, England | Bangladesh | 62 runs |
| Oct 7, 2023 | Dharamsala, India | Bangladesh | 6 wickets |
Bangladesh went into the 2015 game with a fired-up Mushfiqur Rahim, who top-scored with 71. They posted 267 before dismissing Afghanistan for just 162. Bangladesh won by 105 runs. Afghanistan had no answer to the pressure of a World Cup match, but the lessons were being filed away.
For Bangladesh, Mushfiqur Rahim was the star. For Afghanistan, the young side was still learning what playing at the biggest stage meant. This wasn’t embarrassment — this was education.
2018 – Dehradun Demolition: Afghanistan’s Statement
If 2015 was Bangladesh’s chapter, then 2018 belonged to Afghanistan — and how.
Afghanistan hosted a T20I series against Bangladesh in Dehradun. The result? A clean 3-0 sweep. This is one of the most defining moments in the Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Timeline because it showed the world that Afghanistan’s home-crowd, spin-friendly cricket was a different beast entirely.
Mohammad Nabi smashed an unbeaten 84 to anchor the batting. Rashid Khan was unplayable, tearing through Bangladesh’s line-up with relentless leg-spin.
Bangladesh were stunned. This was not the Afghanistan they had faced before.
2019 – World Cup Rematch, Southampton
The 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup gave the two sides another shot at each other. By now, Shakib Al Hasan was in the form of his life — arguably the tournament’s best player.
On June 24, 2019, at Hampshire Bowl in Southampton, Bangladesh beat Afghanistan by 62 runs. Shakib scored 51 with the bat and then took 5/29 with the ball. He was Player of the Match and was genuinely unstoppable that day.
Rashid Khan had a tough tournament overall, but his talent was never in question. The rivalry between Rashid and Shakib was quickly becoming the match-within-the-match every time these teams played.
2019 – Afghanistan’s First Test Win: A Historic Moment
In a chapter the original narrative often overlooks: in September 2019, Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by 224 runs in a one-off Test in Chittagong. It was Rashid Khan’s first match as Test captain — he took a ten-wicket haul in the match, the first Afghan bowler to achieve the feat — and it remains Afghanistan’s only Test victory over Bangladesh. An astonishing result that cemented Afghanistan’s growing red-ball credentials.
2022 – Mirpur Thriller
Nasum Ahmed — not a household name globally, but a hero at home — grabbed 4/10 in a T20I against Afghanistan in Mirpur in 2022. It’s still the best bowling figures in this Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team rivalry on the Bangladesh side.
Bangladesh levelled a series on that day and gave their fans something to celebrate. These moments matter. They’re the kind of performances that define careers and shift momentum in a rivalry.
2023 – Asia Cup + ODI World Cup: Bangladesh’s Big Year
2023 was a significant year across multiple tournaments in the Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Timeline.
Asia Cup 2023, Lahore (Sep 3): Mehidy Hasan Miraz was the man of the moment. He scored an unbeaten 112 to guide Bangladesh to 334/5. Bangladesh won by 89 runs.
Chattogram ODI (Jul 5): Afghanistan hit back in a rain-hit game. Fazalhaq Farooqi was brilliant with the ball, picking up three wickets, and Afghanistan won by 17 runs (DLS method).
ICC ODI World Cup 2023, Dharamsala (Oct 7): Bangladesh bowled Afghanistan out for 156 — with Mehidy again picking up 3 wickets — and chased the total down with 6 wickets to spare.
Three big matches in one year. Two went to Bangladesh. But Afghanistan’s ability to compete in each format was undeniable.
2024 – The Super Eights Showdown: T20 World Cup Magic
This is where the Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Timeline hit a real peak. June 24, 2024. Kingstown, St. Vincent. ICC T20 World Cup Super Eights.
Afghanistan posted 115/5 in 20 overs on a sluggish pitch. It didn’t look like enough. Bangladesh, chasing a rain-revised target of 114 in 19 overs, had Litton Das (54)* playing one of the great T20 innings — carrying the bat and almost dragging his team home alone.
Then Rashid Khan happened.
Rashid took 4/23, dismantling the middle and lower order. Naveen-ul-Haq then removed Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman in successive deliveries to seal a famous win by 8 runs (DLS method).
Afghanistan marched into the semi-finals. The entire cricket world sat up straight.
Rashid Khan, who leads all T20I wicket-takers with 191+ international wickets at that point, was the difference. This was not just a win — it was a statement.
2025 – Bangladesh Sweep the T20Is, Afghanistan Sweep the ODIs: UAE Series (October)
October 2025 delivered arguably the most dramatic format-split result in this entire rivalry. Both teams met for a 3-match T20I series followed by a 3-match ODI series in the UAE.
T20I Series (Sharjah, Oct 2–5): Bangladesh won 3-0
- Oct 2: Bangladesh won by 4 wickets — Emon and Tanzid’s opening partnership powering the chase
- Oct 3: Bangladesh won by 2 wickets — a thrilling finish in Sharjah
- Oct 5: Bangladesh won by 6 wickets — Saif Hassan’s unbeaten 64 off 38 balls (7 sixes, 2 fours) sealed an emphatic clean sweep, with Rashid Khan’s final over cleverly played out by Saif
Bangladesh’s bowlers dominated powerplays across all three matches. Saif Hassan was the standout batter of the series.
ODI Series (Abu Dhabi, Oct 8–14): Afghanistan won 3-0
The format change produced a complete reversal.
- Oct 8 (1st ODI): Afghanistan won by 5 wickets — Azmatullah Omarzai (40 off 44, 3/40) was Player of the Match, with Hashmatullah Shahidi unbeaten on 33 to seal a 226/5 chase of 222
- Oct 11 (2nd ODI): Afghanistan won — continuing their dominance
- Oct 14 (3rd ODI): Afghanistan won by 200 runs — Ibrahim Zadran made 95 and Mohammad Nabi blazed 62* off 37 balls to post 293/9; Bangladesh were then demolished for just 93, with debutant Bilal Sami taking a maiden 5/33 and Rashid Khan adding 3/12. Player of the Series: Ibrahim Zadran (213 runs in 3 innings)
This ODI series sweep — by the same margin as Bangladesh’s T20I sweep — is one of the most remarkable results in this rivalry. Bangladesh’s batting capitulated badly, with Saif Hassan (43) the only batter to reach double figures in the third ODI.
2025 – Asia Cup: Bangladesh Edge It in Abu Dhabi
At Asia Cup 2025 (T20 format, held in the UAE in September), Bangladesh and Afghanistan met in a Group B decider on September 16, 2025 in Abu Dhabi. Bangladesh posted 154/5 and then restricted Afghanistan to 146 in 20 overs, winning by 8 runs in a tense finish.
Nasum Ahmed was the Player of the Match with exceptional figures of 2/11 from 4 overs. Rishad Hossain also contributed 2/18. Afghanistan came close in the chase — Rahmanullah Gurbaz (35) and Azmatullah Omarzai (30 off 16) tried to turn the tide — but Taskin Ahmed bowled a brilliant final over to deny them. Noor Ahmad smashed two sixes in the final over but was caught at long-off off the penultimate ball, ending the chase.
This result kept Bangladesh’s Asia Cup Super Four hopes alive, while Afghanistan needed other results to go their way.
2026 – T20 World Cup: Rashid Makes History (Against UAE, Not Bangladesh)
At the T20 World Cup 2026 (co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, February–March 2026), Rashid Khan picked up his 700th wicket in T20 cricket — the first ever to reach that landmark — during the group match against UAE in Delhi on February 16, 2026.
The landmark wicket came when UAE’s Muhammad Arfan hit his own stumps attempting a reverse sweep, a first hit-wicket dismissal in Rashid’s T20 career. Rashid finished that innings with figures of 1/24.
A significant footnote to the 2026 tournament: Bangladesh withdrew from the event, refusing to play their group matches in India. The ICC replaced them with Scotland, the next-highest ranked team. As a result, there was no Afghanistan vs Bangladesh meeting in the T20 World Cup 2026. Afghanistan entered the tournament with 699 T20 wickets from Rashid alone — and his 700th came against UAE, not Bangladesh.
Afghanistan led the T20I wicket-takers chart at the time of the tournament with Rashid on 191 T20I wickets, ahead of New Zealand’s Tim Southee (164) and Ish Sodhi (162). His career numbers against Bangladesh over his entire T20I career remain extraordinary.
Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Stats
ICC T20 World Cup Meetings
| Year | Venue | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 30, 2014 | Chittagong | Bangladesh | 7 wickets |
| Mar 1, 2016 | Kolkata | Bangladesh | 7 wickets |
| Oct 19, 2021 | Abu Dhabi | Bangladesh | 7 wickets |
| Oct 24, 2022 | Adelaide | Afghanistan | 7 runs |
| Jun 24, 2024 | Kingstown | Afghanistan | 8 runs (DLS) |
ICC ODI World Cup Meetings
| Year | Venue | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 18, 2015 | Canberra | Bangladesh | 105 runs |
| Jun 24, 2019 | Southampton | Bangladesh | 62 runs |
| Oct 7, 2023 | Dharamsala | Bangladesh | 6 wickets |
Bangladesh lead 3-0 in World Cup ODI meetings. Afghanistan are still searching for that breakthrough ICC 50-over win against Bangladesh — but given their dominant 2025 ODI series form, the gap is closing fast.
Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team: T20I Head-to-Head
| Stat | Afghanistan | Bangladesh |
|---|---|---|
| Total T20I wins | 7 | 9 |
| Top run scorer | Mohammad Nabi (219 runs, best: 84*) | Shakib Al Hasan (HS: 70*) |
| Top wicket taker | Rashid Khan (best: 4/23 in 2024 WC) | Shakib Al Hasan / Nasum Ahmed |
| Best bowling figures | Rashid Khan – 4/23 | Nasum Ahmed – 4/10 |
ODI Head-to-Head Summary
| Stat | Afghanistan | Bangladesh |
|---|---|---|
| Total matches | 22 | 22 |
| Wins | 11 | 11 |
| Most runs (series) | Ibrahim Zadran (213 runs, Oct 2025 series) | Mushfiqur Rahim (overall) |
| Best WC performance | Ibrahim Zadran – scored 95* | Shakib Al Hasan (5/29, 51 in 2019 WC) |
| Best series bowling | Rashid Khan 3/12, Bilal Sami 5/33 (Oct 2025) | Mehidy Hasan Miraz (3 wkts, 2023 WC) |
The ODI head-to-head is now perfectly level at 11-11. The 2025 UAE series was a watershed moment.
Key Players: Era-Wise Breakdown
2014–2018: The Learning Era
Afghanistan: Nawroz Mangal (captain), Mohammad Nabi (all-rounder anchor), Rashid Khan (emerging weapon)
Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mashrafe Mortaza
This era was about two teams finding their feet in ICC cricket. Bangladesh had the edge in experience. Afghanistan had the spin talent.
2019–2022: The Equal Footing Era
Afghanistan: Rashid Khan (now captain), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq
Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasum Ahmed
Bangladesh won most ICC tournament meetings. Afghanistan began winning bilateral series on neutral grounds — capped by the historic Test win in 2019. The rivalry became genuinely competitive.
2023–2026: The Modern Era
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai (ICC ODI No. 1 all-rounder as of 2026), Rashid Khan (700 T20 wickets, ICC ODI No. 1 bowler), Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad, Bilal Sami (emerging seamer), Hashmatullah Shahidi (ODI captain)
Bangladesh: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (ODI captain), Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das, Taskin Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Saif Hassan (breakout star of 2025), Tanzid Hasan
This era has seen Afghanistan establish ODI parity and push hard in T20Is. Bangladesh swept the T20I series in 2025 but were routed 3-0 in the ODIs. Neither team is a walkover in any format.
Greatest Wins in This Rivalry
| Match | Winner | Margin | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 ODI WC (Canberra) | Bangladesh | 105 runs | Mushfiqur 71, AFG bundled for 162 |
| Dehradun T20I Series 2018 | Afghanistan | 3-0 sweep | Nabi 84*, Rashid ran riot |
| Test, Chittagong 2019 | Afghanistan | 224 runs | Rashid’s 10-wicket haul on debut as Test captain |
| T20 WC Super 8s 2024 | Afghanistan | 8 runs (DLS) | Rashid 4/23, Naveen-ul-Haq’s death blows |
| Asia Cup 2023 (Lahore) | Bangladesh | 89 runs | Miraz 112*, dominant all-round show |
| ODI Series UAE 2025 (3rd ODI) | Afghanistan | 200 runs | Sami 5/33, Rashid 3/12, BAN bowled out for 93 |
| T20I Series UAE 2025 | Bangladesh | 3-0 sweep | Saif Hassan’s consistent hitting across all three games |
| Mirpur T20I 2022 | Bangladesh | drawn 1–1 | Nasum Ahmed 4/10, series levelled |
Lowest Totals in This Rivalry
| Team | Score | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh | 93 | vs Afghanistan, 3rd ODI | Abu Dhabi, Oct 14, 2025 |
| Afghanistan | 83 | vs Bangladesh | Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, 5 July 2023 |
Bangladesh’s 93 all out in Abu Dhabi in October 2025 is now the lowest total recorded in this rivalry — an astonishing collapse that defined the ODI series.
Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Standings
As of April 2026, here’s where both teams stand:
| Format | Afghanistan | Bangladesh |
|---|---|---|
| ODI ICC Rank | 7th | Approx. 8th–9th |
| ODI Bowling (Individual) | Rashid Khan | Taskin Ahmed |
| ODI All-Rounder (Individual) | Azmatullah Omarzai | Shakib Al Hasan |
| T20 World Cup 2026 | Participated | Did not participate (withdrew over hosting venue dispute) |
A significant development: Bangladesh withdrew from the T20 World Cup 2026, refusing to play their group games in India. The ICC replaced them with Scotland and confirmed no sporting penalty would be imposed. This means Afghanistan had no T20 World Cup encounter with Bangladesh in 2026.
Where to Watch Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team
Good news — you don’t need to hunt far. Here’s where you can catch the action:
- Star Sports / JioHotstar – India Subcontinent
- Willow TV – North America
- Sky Sports Cricket – UK
- Rabbitholebd / T Sports – Bangladesh
- ICC.tv – Global streaming (for select markets)
- ESPN+ – USA
Expert Opinions on This Rivalry
On Afghanistan’s bowling: Rashid Khan’s 191 T20I wickets make him the undisputed leading wicket-taker in that format. His numbers against Bangladesh across T20Is are exceptional — his 4/23 in the 2024 T20 World Cup Super Eights was match-defining. Across ODIs, he and Bilal Sami formed a devastating combination in the 2025 series.
On Afghanistan’s ODI rise: The 2025 UAE ODI series sweep — collapsing Bangladesh for 93 in the decider — marked a coming-of-age moment. Azmatullah Omarzai’s ascent to ICC ODI all-rounder No. 1 ranking reflects a squad now packed with match-winners across all departments.
On Bangladesh’s T20I resilience: Bangladesh’s 3-0 T20I sweep in October 2025 — all three games won while chasing — demonstrated their strength as a chasing unit. Saif Hassan’s 64* off 38 balls in the third T20I was one of the finest innings in this rivalry’s T20 chapter. However, the controversy around their T20 World Cup 2026 withdrawal has overshadowed their cricketing progress.
On the future: With ODIs now level at 11-11 and T20Is at 9-7 in Bangladesh’s favour, this rivalry has never been closer or more evenly matched. Analysts expect future ICC encounters to be fiercely contested.
Conclusion
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Timeline is a rivalry that keeps delivering. It’s not flashy in the way India vs Pakistan is, or as storied as England vs Australia. But it’s real. Every match carries context, history, and stakes.
The ODI head-to-head is now perfectly level at 11-11. Bangladesh hold a 9-7 edge in T20Is but Afghanistan have shown they can win those too. Each format tells a different story. And the individual battles — Rashid vs Shakib, Gurbaz vs Taskin, Omarzai vs Miraz — make every game worth watching closely.
The best part? This Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team rivalry is still being written. With ODI World Cup 2027 qualification battles and ICC events ahead, there are many more chapters to come.
? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who leads the Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team head-to-head overall?
The overall head-to-head is now virtually level. In ODIs, the record stands at 11-11 after Afghanistan’s 3-0 series sweep in the UAE in October 2025. In T20Is, Bangladesh lead 9-7. In Tests, Afghanistan lead 1-0 following their 224-run win in 2019.
Q2. What are the Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team T20I stats?
In T20Is, Bangladesh lead 9-7. The top wicket-taker in this fixture is Rashid Khan (Afghanistan). The best bowling figures are Rashid’s 4/23 (2024 T20 WC) for Afghanistan and Nasum Ahmed’s 4/10 for Bangladesh. Mohammad Nabi (best: 84*) is Afghanistan’s top scorer; Shakib Al Hasan is Bangladesh’s most consistent performer.
Q3. Who won the Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team ICC T20 World Cup match in 2024?
Afghanistan won by 8 runs (DLS method) in the Super Eights in Kingstown, St. Vincent on June 24, 2024. Rashid Khan took 4/23 and was the match-winner. Litton Das (54*) batted heroically but couldn’t get Bangladesh over the line.
Q4. What happened in the Afghanistan vs Bangladesh 2025 UAE series?
Bangladesh won all 3 T20Is (Oct 2–5) in Sharjah. Results: 4 wickets, 2 wickets, and 6 wickets. Saif Hassan was the standout batter. Afghanistan then swept all 3 ODIs (Oct 8–14) in Abu Dhabi, winning by 5 wickets (1st), then winning the 2nd, and demolishing Bangladesh by 200 runs in the 3rd (Bangladesh bowled out for 93, Bilal Sami 5/33, Rashid 3/12). Ibrahim Zadran was Player of the ODI Series with 213 runs.
Q5. Did Afghanistan and Bangladesh play in the T20 World Cup 2026?
No. Bangladesh withdrew from the T20 World Cup 2026, refusing to play their group matches in India. They were replaced by Scotland. Afghanistan participated and Rashid Khan took his 700th T20 wicket during the tournament (against UAE in Delhi on February 16, 2026).
Q6. Where can I watch Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team matches?
You can watch on Star Sports/JioHotstar (South Asia), Willow TV (North America), Sky Sports (UK), Rabbitholebd/T Sports (Bangladesh), and ICC.tv for global streaming. Always check official sources for the latest broadcast rights.
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