Afghanistan T20 World Cup Schedule and Head-to-Head Records

Afghanistan have grown from T20 World Cup newcomers into a team capable of beating the strongest sides in the tournament. Their breakthrough came at the 2024 T20 World Cup, where victories over New Zealand, Australia and Bangladesh carried them into the semi-finals for the first time. South Africa ended that run in the last four, but the campaign remains Afghanistan’s best finish at a Men’s T20 World Cup. Afghanistan returned for the 2026 tournament in India and Sri Lanka under Rashid Khan and finished the group stage with wins over UAE and Canada, a defeat to New Zealand, and a dramatic tied match against South Africa that the Proteas eventually won after a second Super Over.

Afghanistan T20 World Cup History

Afghanistan made their Men’s T20 World Cup debut in 2010 and have appeared in every edition since. Their early campaigns generally ended in the opening stage, but their results improved as players such as Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran developed into international-level T20 performers.

The team’s major breakthrough arrived in 2024. Afghanistan defeated New Zealand during the group stage, qualified for the Super Eight, then stunned Australia before beating Bangladesh in a rain-affected match to secure a historic semi-final place. South Africa defeated Afghanistan in the semi-final at Tarouba after Afghanistan were bowled out for 56.

*Afghanistan’s match against South Africa in 2026 was tied before South Africa won after the second Super Over. Afghanistan also had two matches abandoned without a toss during the 2022 tournament, against New Zealand and Ireland.

Afghanistan’s Best T20 World Cup Campaign

Afghanistan’s 2024 run remains their best performance at a T20 World Cup.

They started the tournament by defeating Uganda and then produced one of their biggest World Cup wins by beating New Zealand. Afghanistan also defeated Papua New Guinea to reach the Super Eight, although West Indies beat them in their final group match.

The Super Eight produced the defining moment of Afghanistan’s campaign. They defeated Australia by 21 runs, keeping their semi-final hopes alive, before overcoming Bangladesh by eight runs under the DLS method in their final Super Eight match. That result secured Afghanistan’s first appearance in a senior men’s ICC World Cup semi-final.

South Africa proved too strong in the semi-final. Afghanistan were dismissed for 56, their lowest completed total in Men’s T20 World Cup history, and South Africa chased the target comfortably. Even with that defeat, reaching the last four marked a major step forward for Afghan cricket.

Afghanistan T20 World Cup Schedule

The 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup was held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. Afghanistan were placed in Group D alongside South Africa, New Zealand, UAE and Canada. Their four group matches were played in Chennai, Ahmedabad and Delhi.

Afghanistan T20 World Cup Fixtures and Results

Afghanistan opened against New Zealand at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. They scored 182/6, but New Zealand completed the chase with five wickets remaining.

The second game produced one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament. Afghanistan and South Africa both finished on 187, forcing a Super Over. The contest remained unresolved after the first Super Over before South Africa eventually won the second.

Afghanistan recovered by chasing 161 against UAE for a five-wicket win in Delhi. They then finished the group stage strongly against Canada, making 200/4 before restricting Canada to 118/8 to win by 82 runs.

Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup Record

Afghanistan have recorded several major victories during their T20 World Cup history. Their 2024 wins over New Zealand and Australia showed that they could compete against established title contenders, while their earlier campaigns included victories over West Indies, Scotland and Zimbabwe.

Through the 2026 tournament, Afghanistan have played 34 official completed or tied T20 World Cup matches, winning 14, losing 19 and tying one. Two additional scheduled matches in 2022 — against New Zealand and Ireland — were abandoned without a toss and are included separately when looking at tournament fixtures rather than official match statistics.

Afghanistan T20 World Cup Head-to-Head Records

The table below covers every opponent Afghanistan have faced in Men’s T20 World Cup competition through the 2026 edition. For New Zealand and Ireland, abandoned 2022 fixtures are included in the “Matches” column so the table reflects every World Cup meeting. The win and loss columns count match results only.

The South Africa line includes the tied 2026 match, which South Africa won after the second Super Over. New Zealand’s four meetings include the abandoned match at Melbourne in 2022, while Afghanistan’s only World Cup fixture against Ireland was also abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Afghanistan vs India in T20 World Cups

India have been one of Afghanistan’s toughest opponents in the tournament. Afghanistan have faced India four times in completed T20 World Cup matches and have lost all four.

Their meetings have come across several different editions, beginning in Afghanistan’s first World Cup appearance. India’s stronger batting depth has generally separated the sides, although Afghanistan have become far more competitive internationally since those early encounters.

Afghanistan vs Australia in T20 World Cups

Afghanistan’s record against Australia stands at one victory and one defeat from two meetings.

Their most important result came in the 2024 Super Eight. Afghanistan defended 148 to beat Australia by 21 runs, with Gulbadin Naib taking four wickets. The victory was one of the biggest results in Afghanistan cricket history and played a major role in their eventual qualification for the semi-finals.

Afghanistan vs New Zealand in T20 World Cups

Afghanistan have faced New Zealand four times when the abandoned 2022 fixture is included. New Zealand have won two completed games, while Afghanistan have won one.

Afghanistan’s victory came in 2024, when they bowled New Zealand out for 75 after scoring 159/6. That result confirmed Afghanistan’s growing strength in global tournaments.

New Zealand regained the advantage in the 2026 group stage, successfully chasing Afghanistan’s 182/6 in Chennai.

Afghanistan vs South Africa in T20 World Cups

South Africa have also been difficult opponents for Afghanistan. The teams have met four times, with South Africa winning three completed matches.

Their most significant meeting came in the 2024 semi-final, when South Africa bowled Afghanistan out for 56. Two years later, Afghanistan came much closer. Both sides scored 187 in Ahmedabad before South Africa eventually won after two Super Overs.

Key Afghanistan Players

Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan remains the central figure in Afghanistan’s T20 side. He captained the team at the 2026 T20 World Cup and provides control, wickets and tactical flexibility through the middle overs. He took six wickets in Afghanistan’s four matches at the tournament while conceding runs at an economy rate below seven per over.

His experience in franchise cricket across India and other major T20 leagues also makes him especially valuable on turning surfaces.

Ibrahim Zadran

Ibrahim Zadran was Afghanistan’s leading run-scorer at the 2026 tournament. He made 170 runs from four innings at an average of 56.67, including two fifties and a top score of 95.

He gives Afghanistan a more controlled batting option at the top of the order and can build an innings around the team’s more aggressive stroke-makers.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Rahmanullah Gurbaz remains Afghanistan’s main attacking threat in the powerplay. He scored 141 runs in four matches at the 2026 tournament at a strike rate of 163.95 and hit eight sixes.

His aggressive opening partnerships with Ibrahim Zadran were also a major part of Afghanistan’s successful 2024 World Cup campaign.

Azmatullah Omarzai

Azmatullah Omarzai gives Afghanistan balance with both bat and ball. During the 2026 World Cup, he scored 89 runs at a strike rate above 170 and finished as Afghanistan’s leading wicket-taker with nine wickets from four matches.

His ability to contribute in several phases of a T20 match makes him one of Afghanistan’s most valuable all-round players.

Afghanistan’s Rise in T20 World Cup Cricket

Afghanistan’s World Cup progress has been steady rather than sudden. Their early appearances were mainly about qualification and gaining experience against established international teams. By 2016, they were capable of defeating West Indies, who went on to win that tournament.

The arrival of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and a stronger group of attacking batters changed Afghanistan’s position in world cricket. Their spin attack became one of the toughest to face, while Gurbaz and Ibrahim gave the batting order a more reliable foundation.

The 2024 semi-final run provided the clearest evidence of that development. Afghanistan defeated New Zealand and Australia in the same tournament and handled a high-pressure qualification match against Bangladesh to reach the final four.

Their 2026 campaign did not produce another semi-final appearance, but Afghanistan still won two of four group matches, pushed South Africa into a double Super Over and scored 200 against Canada. Those performances showed that the 2024 campaign was not an isolated success.

FAQs

What is Afghanistan’s best finish in the T20 World Cup?

Afghanistan’s best finish is the semi-finals. They reached the last four in 2024 after beating teams including New Zealand, Australia and Bangladesh before losing to South Africa in the semi-final.

How did Afghanistan perform in the 2026 T20 World Cup?

Afghanistan won two of their four group matches. They beat UAE by five wickets and Canada by 82 runs, lost to New Zealand by five wickets, and tied with South Africa before losing after the second Super Over.

Who captained Afghanistan at the 2026 T20 World Cup?

Rashid Khan captained Afghanistan. The team was placed in Group D alongside South Africa, New Zealand, UAE and Canada.

How many T20 World Cup matches has Afghanistan won?

Afghanistan have won 14 official Men’s T20 World Cup matches through the 2026 tournament. They have 19 losses and one tied match from 34 official completed or tied fixtures. Two additional matches in 2022 were abandoned without a toss.

Has Afghanistan ever beaten Australia in the T20 World Cup?

Yes. Afghanistan defeated Australia by 21 runs during the Super Eight stage of the 2024 T20 World Cup. The win helped Afghanistan remain in contention for their first semi-final appearance.