Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Timeline

Cricket in Asia has long been dominated by giants like India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. However, in recent years, two emerging cricketing nations—Afghanistan and Bangladesh—have forged a competitive and growing rivalry on the international stage. The Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team timeline reflects the evolution of these teams and the intensity they bring to their encounters across formats—ODIs, T20Is, and Tests.

Early Encounters: The Rise of Afghanistan

Afghanistan made its international debut much later than Bangladesh, but it didn’t take long for them to catch up. Bangladesh, having earned Test status in 2000, was seen as a more experienced side when they first clashed with Afghanistan. Their initial meetings occurred in limited-overs tournaments such as the Asia Cup.

First Official Encounter:

The first official international meeting between Afghanistan and Bangladesh took place during the 2014 Asia Cup. In a surprising turn of events, Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh by 32 runs at Fatullah. This match sent a strong message to the cricketing world—Afghanistan was not just participating; it was here to compete.

ODI Timeline: A Balanced Affair

In One Day Internationals, both teams have enjoyed wins over the years, with the rivalry becoming more balanced and intense.

2014 Asia Cup: Afghanistan wins by 32 runs.

2015-2023: The teams played several bilateral series and tournament games. While Bangladesh had the edge in home conditions, Afghanistan proved tough opponents, especially with spinners like Rashid Khan and Mujeeb ur Rahman.

2023 ODI World Cup (India): Afghanistan stunned Bangladesh again with a dominant 8-wicket win, driven by disciplined bowling and strong top-order batting.

Overall, ODIs have seen a fairly even record between the two sides, with Bangladesh leading slightly due to their experience and depth in the batting lineup.

T20I Timeline: Afghanistan's Dominance

Afghanistan has shown superior performance in the T20I format, largely due to their aggressive style of play and world-class spin bowling attack.

2018: Afghanistan whitewashed Bangladesh 3-0 in a T20I series in India. Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi dominated the Bangladeshi batting lineup, signaling a power shift in this format.

2022 Asia Cup: Afghanistan again won convincingly in the group stage against Bangladesh, showcasing tactical brilliance and big-hitting prowess.

2023 and Beyond: While Bangladesh has improved its T20 game, Afghanistan still holds the upper hand with a better head-to-head T20I record.

This format has cemented Afghanistan’s dominance and highlighted Bangladesh’s struggle with handling high-quality spin in pressure situations.

Test Format: Limited But Competitive

Both teams are relatively new to Test cricket, and encounters in the longest format are rare.

2019 Test Match in Chattogram: Afghanistan recorded a historic victory by defeating Bangladesh by 224 runs. It was one of Afghanistan’s early Test wins and a landmark moment in their cricketing history. Rahmat Shah and Rashid Khan played pivotal roles in that memorable match.

This solitary Test match remains a significant event in the Afghanistan vs Bangladesh rivalry and is often cited as a testament to Afghanistan's rapid rise in world cricket.

Recent Developments (2024–2025)

As of mid-2025, the rivalry has seen both sides improve remarkably. Bangladesh has invested in youth development, while Afghanistan continues to produce world-class bowlers. Their contests are now among the most anticipated in Asian cricket, often drawing massive viewership due to their unpredictability.

In the 2024 T20 World Cup, Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh in a thrilling last-over encounter, reinforcing their edge in the shorter format. Meanwhile, Bangladesh bounced back with a 2-1 series win in ODIs at home earlier in 2025.

Conclusion: 

The Afghanistan vs Bangladesh cricket rivalry is one of the most exciting narratives in modern cricket. What began as a clash between an experienced side and a new entrant has evolved into a competitive and evenly matched contest across formats. With rising talent, strong leadership, and passionate fanbases, this rivalry promises to grow even more intense in the years to come.

As both teams continue to chase excellence on the global stage, their future encounters will not only impact rankings but also inspire countless young cricketers across the region.