Afghanistan vs Australian Men’s Cricket Team: Timeline of All Matches

The Afghanistan national cricket team is one of the newest and most inspiring success stories in international cricket. From their humble beginnings to becoming a competitive force, Afghanistan has made significant progress over the past two decades. On the other hand, the Australian men’s cricket team is one of the most dominant and historically successful cricket teams in the world. When these two teams face off, it’s a clash between a cricketing giant and a fast-rising team. In this article, we will go through a complete timeline of all official matches played between the Afghanistan national cricket team and the Australian men’s cricket team, including Test matches, ODIs, and T20 Internationals.

Background of the Teams

The Afghanistan national cricket team was granted Full Member status by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2017, allowing them to play Test cricket. Before that, Afghanistan had been making a name for itself in limited-overs cricket through consistent performances in ICC tournaments and qualifiers.

Australia, in contrast, has been a Full Member since the early days of Test cricket in the late 19th century. With multiple World Cup titles and legendary players, Australia is a benchmark for excellence in cricket. Their structured domestic setup and long cricketing history have helped them stay at the top across formats.

The matchups between these two teams are relatively few due to the newness of Afghanistan at the top level, but each match has been important for the development of Afghan cricket and for assessing their competitiveness on the world stage.

First-Ever Encounter: 2012 ICC World T20

The first time the Afghanistan national cricket team played against the Australian men’s cricket team was during the ICC World T20 in 2012. This match was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

• Date: September 19, 2012
• Format: T20 International
• Tournament: ICC World T20 2012
• Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
• Result: Australia won by 66 runs

Match Summary:

Australia batted first and posted 168 for 8 in 20 overs. Michael Hussey top-scored with 49. Afghanistan struggled in response and were bowled out for just 110 runs. Mitchell Starc took 3 wickets for 11 runs. This was a one-sided affair, but it was a milestone for Afghanistan as they faced a top-tier team in a major ICC tournament.

2015 Cricket World Cup Clash

The second official match between these teams was during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand. This was also their first One Day International (ODI) match against each other.

• Date: March 4, 2015
• Format: One Day International (ODI)
• Tournament: ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
• Venue: WACA Ground, Perth, Australia
• Result: Australia won by 275 runs

Match Summary:

Australia posted a record-breaking total of 417 for 6 in 50 overs. David Warner scored 178 runs off 133 balls. Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell also contributed with quick fifties. In response, Afghanistan was bowled out for 142. This remains one of the biggest wins in World Cup history in terms of runs. It showed the gap between the two teams at the time, but it was also a learning experience for Afghanistan.

2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Group Stage Match

Afghanistan and Australia faced off again in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. This match took place in India and was one of the most memorable games between the two sides.

• Date: November 7, 2023
• Format: One Day International (ODI)
• Tournament: ICC Cricket World Cup 2023
• Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India
• Result: Australia won by 3 wickets

Match Summary:

Afghanistan batted first and posted a strong total of 291 for 5, thanks to Ibrahim Zadran’s unbeaten century (129*). In reply, Australia was reduced to 91 for 7, but Glenn Maxwell played a historic innings of 201* not out, leading Australia to one of the greatest comebacks in World Cup history. This match highlighted Afghanistan’s improvement as a team and how close they came to beating one of the world’s best teams.

Test Cricket: First Scheduled, Then Postponed

Afghanistan and Australia were scheduled to play their first-ever Test match in November 2021 in Hobart, Australia. However, the match was postponed due to various reasons, including the political situation in Afghanistan and concerns over women’s cricket development in the country.

As of 2025, Afghanistan and Australia have not yet played a Test match against each other. The cricketing world continues to wait for this historic event to happen. When it does, it will mark a significant step for Afghanistan’s standing in the longer format of the game.

T20 Encounters: Limited But Growing

Aside from their 2012 World T20 clash, Afghanistan and Australia have not faced each other frequently in T20 Internationals. As bilateral series between top-tier teams become more inclusive, it is expected that Afghanistan will get more opportunities to compete against Australia in T20 matches.

Overall Match Timeline Table

Below is a timeline table showing all official matches played between Afghanistan and Australia:

Note: No official Test match has been played yet between the two teams.

Comparative Team Progress

• Afghanistan: Their strength lies in spin bowling, with world-class players like Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi. Batting has improved, especially with players like Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran. They are now capable of beating top teams, as seen in the 2023 World Cup.
• Australia: Known for their balance across departments, Australia continues to produce quality fast bowlers, aggressive top-order batsmen, and tactical depth. Their experience and big-match temperament often give them the edge.

Afghanistan’s growing competitiveness is now evident. Although Australia still leads in head-to-head results, Afghanistan’s recent performances show the narrowing gap.

Key Players from Each Side

Australia:

• David Warner
• Steve Smith
• Glenn Maxwell
• Pat Cummins
• Mitchell Starc

Afghanistan:

• Rashid Khan
• Mohammad Nabi
• Rahmanullah Gurbaz
• Ibrahim Zadran
• Mujeeb Ur Rahman

These players have been instrumental in shaping the outcomes and narratives in the few matches played so far.

What to Expect in the Future

The increasing frequency of ICC tournaments and Afghanistan’s inclusion in the Future Tours Programme (FTP) suggest that more matches between these two nations are on the horizon. Afghanistan is expected to host or tour Australia for a Test match within the next FTP cycle. T20Is and ODIs are also likely to be part of bilateral and tri-nation series.

Fans are hoping that the Afghanistan national cricket team vs the Australian men’s cricket team timeline continues to grow and produce more close and exciting matches, much like the 2023 World Cup thriller.

Conclusion

The timeline of matches between the Afghanistan national cricket team and the Australian men’s cricket team is still short but significant. Each match represents a milestone for Afghanistan and a challenge for Australia. From their first T20I in 2012 to the unforgettable 2023 World Cup showdown, the journey has been marked by growth, competition, and mutual respect.

As both teams continue to evolve, the cricketing world can expect more encounters that are competitive and memorable. Afghanistan’s rise has been rapid, and as they continue to improve, their matches against Australia will become even more crucial in the global cricketing landscape.

Also check: India vs Australia: Historic Men’s Cricket Timeline & Match Score Board