Pakistan vs Afghanistan Head-to-Head Records

Pakistan vs Afghanistan has quickly developed into one of the most intense rivalries in Asian cricket. The overall head-to-head numbers still favor Pakistan, but Afghanistan have closed the gap significantly in recent years, especially in T20Is. Through October 2026, Pakistan lead the ODI record 7-1 from eight matches and the T20I record 6-4 from 10 matches. The rivalry has already produced World Cup thrillers, dramatic Asia Cup finishes, a bilateral ODI series in Sri Lanka and several high-pressure T20 contests. Players such as Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf have been important for Pakistan, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Naveen-ul-Haq have played major roles for Afghanistan.

Pakistan vs Afghanistan Head-to-Head Record

Pakistan have dominated the ODI rivalry, winning the first seven meetings before Afghanistan finally broke through at the 2023 World Cup in Chennai. The T20I record is much closer, with Afghanistan winning four of the 10 completed matches.

Pakistan vs Afghanistan ODI Rivalry

Pakistan and Afghanistan first met in an ODI in 2012.

Pakistan controlled the early phase of the rivalry, but several matches were much tighter than the final head-to-head numbers suggest.

The 2018 Asia Cup, 2019 World Cup and second ODI of the 2023 bilateral series were all decided late.

Afghanistan finally recorded their first ODI victory over Pakistan at the 2023 World Cup, winning by eight wickets in Chennai. That result came in their eighth ODI meeting.

Since then, the ODI head-to-head has remained 7-1 in Pakistan’s favor.

2018 Asia Cup Thriller

The 2018 Asia Cup match between Pakistan and Afghanistan is sometimes incorrectly described as a tie.

It was not a tie.

Afghanistan scored 257/6 in Abu Dhabi before Pakistan chased 258/7 and won by three wickets.

The match was decided in the final over after Afghanistan’s spinners had kept the pressure on Pakistan through the middle stages.

Shoaib Malik played the key finishing role and guided Pakistan across the line.

The result became one of the first clear signs that Afghanistan could seriously challenge Pakistan in a full 50-over contest.

2019 World Cup Meeting

Pakistan and Afghanistan produced another thriller at Headingley during the 2019 ODI World Cup.

Afghanistan scored 227/9 from their 50 overs.

Shaheen Shah Afridi was Pakistan’s standout bowler, taking 4/47 and repeatedly breaking partnerships.

Pakistan’s chase was far from comfortable.

Babar Azam scored 45, but wickets kept Afghanistan in the contest. Pakistan slipped to 156/6 and appeared in real danger of losing.

Imad Wasim changed the match.

He remained unbeaten on 49 and attacked Gulbadin Naib in a decisive late over.

Pakistan reached 230/7 with only two balls remaining and won by three wickets, keeping their semifinal hopes alive.

The match remains one of the closest contests in the ODI history between the two sides.

2023 Bilateral ODI Series in Sri Lanka

Afghanistan hosted Pakistan for a three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka in August 2023.

Pakistan won the series 3-0, but the matches included two very different types of contests.

In the first ODI at Hambantota, Pakistan were bowled out for only 201.

Afghanistan appeared to have an excellent chance of winning, but Pakistan’s fast bowlers completely changed the game.

Haris Rauf took a career-best 5/18, while Shaheen Afridi took 2/9.

Afghanistan were dismissed for only 59, their second-lowest ODI score, and Pakistan won by 142 runs.

The second ODI was far closer.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz played one of the greatest Afghanistan innings in this rivalry, scoring 151 as Afghanistan reached 300/5.

Pakistan chased 301 in a tense finish and reached 302/9, winning by one wicket.

Pakistan then won the third ODI by 59 runs to complete a 3-0 sweep. Shaheen Afridi finished as the leading wicket-taker in the series with six wickets, while Gurbaz was the leading run-scorer with 174.

2023 World Cup Meeting in Chennai

Afghanistan finally ended their ODI losing streak against Pakistan on October 23, 2023 in Chennai.

Pakistan scored 282/7.

Babar Azam made 74 from 92 balls, while Abdullah Shafique scored 58. Noor Ahmad was Afghanistan’s standout bowler with three wickets.

Afghanistan then produced one of the most controlled chases of the tournament.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 65, Ibrahim Zadran made 87, Rahmat Shah remained unbeaten on 77 and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi finished on 48 not out.

Afghanistan reached 286/2 in 49 overs and won by eight wickets.

It was Afghanistan’s first ODI victory over Pakistan and, at the time, their highest successful ODI chase.

The result was one of the defining victories of Afghanistan’s impressive 2023 World Cup campaign.

2021 T20 World Cup Meeting

Pakistan and Afghanistan met at the 2021 T20 World Cup in Dubai.

Afghanistan scored 147/6.

Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib both finished unbeaten on 35 and shared an important late partnership.

Pakistan appeared to be in control after Babar Azam scored 51, but Afghanistan pulled the match back when Rashid Khan dismissed Babar and Shoaib Malik fell soon after.

Pakistan needed 24 runs from the final two overs.

Asif Ali ended the contest almost immediately.

He hit four sixes in the 19th over and finished unbeaten on 25 from only seven balls.

Pakistan reached 148/5 and won by five wickets with six balls remaining.

No Pakistan vs Afghanistan Match at the 2024 T20 World Cup

Pakistan and Afghanistan did not meet at the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup.

Afghanistan were one of the tournament’s biggest success stories and reached the semifinal for the first time in their history.

Pakistan were eliminated during the group stage.

Because the teams were placed in different paths and Pakistan did not reach the Super Eight stage, there was no Pakistan-Afghanistan fixture in the tournament.

Their T20I rivalry instead continued through bilateral and multi-team competitions, including the 2025 UAE tri-series.

2025 T20I Tri-Series

Pakistan and Afghanistan met three times during the UAE T20I tri-series in 2025.

Pakistan won the first meeting by 39 runs.

Afghanistan responded in the second match, winning by 18 runs after scoring 169/5.

The teams met again in the final in Sharjah.

Pakistan managed only 141/8, and Rashid Khan took 3/38.

The modest total proved more than enough.

Mohammad Nawaz took 5/19, including a hat-trick, as Afghanistan collapsed to 66 all out.

Pakistan won the final by 75 runs.

Those matches helped move the overall T20I head-to-head to 6-4 in Pakistan’s favor.

Babar Azam vs Afghanistan

Babar Azam has been one of Pakistan’s most important batters in this rivalry.

He scored 45 in the tense 2019 World Cup chase and 74 in Pakistan’s defeat at the 2023 World Cup in Chennai.

During the 2023 ODI series in Sri Lanka, Babar scored 113 runs across the three matches.

His strength against Afghanistan comes from his ability to play spin with control through the middle overs.

Rashid Khan, Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman can restrict scoring, so Babar’s ability to rotate strike is especially important.

Mohammad Rizwan vs Afghanistan

Mohammad Rizwan has played important roles against Afghanistan across both ODIs and T20Is.

During the 2023 bilateral ODI series, he scored 90 runs across three matches.

His role is usually to stabilize Pakistan’s middle order before increasing the scoring rate in the final overs.

Rizwan’s ability to use sweeps and quick singles also makes him useful against Afghanistan’s spin-heavy attack.

Shaheen Afridi vs Afghanistan

Shaheen Afridi has produced several major performances against Afghanistan.

His 4/47 at the 2019 World Cup remains one of Pakistan’s best bowling spells in the rivalry.

During the 2023 bilateral ODI series, Shaheen took six wickets in three matches, finishing as the leading wicket-taker.

In the first ODI, he took two early wickets for only nine runs as Afghanistan collapsed to 59.

His left-arm angle and ability to swing the new ball remain especially dangerous against Afghanistan’s top order.

Haris Rauf vs Afghanistan

Haris Rauf owns one of the best bowling performances in Pakistan-Afghanistan cricket.

In Hambantota in 2023, he took 5/18 from 6.2 overs.

He dismissed Gurbaz, Nabi, Rashid Khan and other lower-order batters as Afghanistan were bowled out for 59.

The figures were Rauf’s first ODI five-wicket haul and his career-best at the time.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz vs Pakistan

Rahmanullah Gurbaz has produced Afghanistan’s highest individual ODI score against Pakistan.

He smashed 151 during the second ODI of the 2023 series in Hambantota.

Gurbaz also scored 65 from 53 balls during Afghanistan’s historic World Cup victory in Chennai.

His attacking style against fast bowling makes him especially important because Pakistan often rely on early wickets from Shaheen and other pacers.

If Gurbaz survives the first powerplay, Afghanistan become much more dangerous.

Rashid Khan vs Pakistan

Rashid Khan has been Afghanistan’s main spin threat against Pakistan in T20 cricket.

At the 2021 T20 World Cup, he took 2/26 and dismissed Babar Azam at a key stage.

He also took three wickets in the 2025 tri-series final, although Afghanistan eventually lost heavily.

Rashid’s biggest strength in this matchup is his ability to keep the scoring rate low while still attacking the stumps.

Pakistan’s middle-order batters often try to play him carefully rather than risk losing wickets.

Mohammad Nabi vs Pakistan

Mohammad Nabi has contributed with both bat and ball against Pakistan.

At the 2021 T20 World Cup, he scored an unbeaten 35 and helped Afghanistan recover from 76/6 to 147/6.

In the 2023 World Cup meeting, Nabi bowled an excellent spell of 1/31 from 10 overs and dismissed Saud Shakeel.

He conceded only 3.10 runs per over, making him one of Afghanistan’s most economical bowlers in the match.

Naveen-ul-Haq vs Pakistan

Naveen-ul-Haq played an important role in Afghanistan’s historic 2023 World Cup victory.

He took 2/52 in Chennai.

Both wickets came late in Pakistan’s innings, removing Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan.

That helped prevent Pakistan from pushing their total beyond 300.

His slower balls and changes of pace are particularly useful on dry subcontinental pitches.

Best Batting Performances

Gurbaz’s 151 is the highest individual ODI score in the head-to-head. His innings almost delivered Afghanistan’s first ODI victory over Pakistan before Pakistan completed a one-wicket chase.

Best Bowling Performances

Haris Rauf’s 5/18 is the standout individual bowling performance in the ODI rivalry. Shaheen’s 4/47 was equally important in a much tighter World Cup match four years earlier.

Conclusion

Pakistan remain ahead in the Pakistan vs Afghanistan head-to-head records, but the rivalry has become increasingly competitive.

Through October 2026, Pakistan lead 7-1 in ODIs and 6-4 in T20Is.

Pakistan won the close 2018 Asia Cup meeting, survived another thriller at the 2019 World Cup and swept the 2023 ODI series in Sri Lanka.

Afghanistan’s biggest breakthrough came at the 2023 World Cup in Chennai, where they chased 283 with only two wickets down to record their first ODI win over Pakistan.

The T20I rivalry is even closer. Pakistan won the memorable 2021 World Cup match, Afghanistan claimed important victories in their 2023 bilateral T20I series and the sides split their first two meetings in the 2025 tri-series before Pakistan dominated the final.

With players such as Gurbaz, Rashid and Nabi facing Babar, Shaheen and Rauf, Pakistan vs Afghanistan has become one of the most competitive modern contests in Asian white-ball cricket.

FAQs

How many ODIs have Pakistan and Afghanistan played?

Pakistan and Afghanistan have played eight ODIs.

Who leads the Pakistan vs Afghanistan ODI head-to-head?

Pakistan lead 7-1.

How many T20Is have Pakistan and Afghanistan played?

They have played 10 official T20Is through October 2026.

Who leads the T20I head-to-head?

Pakistan lead 6-4.

Who won the 2019 World Cup match between Pakistan and Afghanistan?

Pakistan won by three wickets with two balls remaining at Headingley.

Who won the 2023 World Cup meeting?

Afghanistan won by eight wickets in Chennai.

Was the 2018 Asia Cup match a tie?

No. Pakistan won by three wickets after chasing Afghanistan’s 257/6.

Did Pakistan and Afghanistan play at the 2024 T20 World Cup?

No. They did not meet during the tournament.

Who won the 2021 T20 World Cup match?

Pakistan won by five wickets after Asif Ali hit four sixes in the 19th over.

Who won the 2023 bilateral ODI series in Sri Lanka?

Pakistan won the series 3-0.

Who has the highest ODI score in Pakistan vs Afghanistan matches?

Rahmanullah Gurbaz holds the record with 151 in Hambantota in 2023.

What are the best ODI bowling figures in this rivalry?

Haris Rauf took 5/18 in the first ODI of the 2023 bilateral series.

What is Shaheen Afridi’s famous World Cup performance against Afghanistan?

Shaheen took 4/47 at the 2019 World Cup.

What did Babar Azam score against Afghanistan at the 2023 World Cup?

Babar scored 74 from 92 balls.

Who were Afghanistan’s main batters in the historic 2023 World Cup win?

Ibrahim Zadran scored 87, Rahmanullah Gurbaz made 65, Rahmat Shah finished unbeaten on 77 and Hashmatullah Shahidi made 48 not out.

How did Naveen-ul-Haq perform against Pakistan in the 2023 World Cup?

Naveen took 2/52, dismissing Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan.

Who won the 2025 T20I tri-series final?

Pakistan defeated Afghanistan by 75 runs after bowling them out for 66.