Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Match Scorecard
Table of Contents
From Colombo’s 116-run humiliation in 2012 to Lahore’s heart-stopping 8-run thriller in 2025, Afghanistan vs England has transformed from a David-Goliath mismatch into one of cricket’s most electrifying rivalries. Underdog grit, spin sorcery, explosive centuries, and giant-killing upsets have rewritten the script – proving passion and persistence can topple even the mightiest lions.
Latest Matches
Tournament
Venue
Date
Toss
Afghanistan Score
England Score
Result
Series
Player of the Match
ICC Champions Trophy
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (Pakistan)
Feb 26, 2025
Afghanistan (elected to bat)
325/7 (50 overs)
317 (49.5 overs)
Afghanistan won by 8 runs
ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Ibrahim Zadran (AFG) – 177 (146)
ICC Cricket World Cup
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi (India)
Oct 15, 2023
England (elected to field)
284 (49.5 overs)
215 (40.3 overs)
Afghanistan won by 69 runs
ICC Cricket World Cup 2023
Mujeeb Ur Rahman (AFG) – 28 (16) & 3/51
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
Perth Stadium, Perth (Australia)
Oct 22, 2022
England (elected to field)
112 (19.4 overs)
113/5 (18.1 overs)
England won by 5 wickets (11 balls remaining)
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022
Sam Curran (ENG) – 5/10
ICC Cricket World Cup
Old Trafford, Manchester (England)
Jun 18, 2019
England (elected to bat)
247/8 (50 overs)
397/6 (50 overs)
England won by 150 runs
ICC Cricket World Cup 2019
Eoin Morgan (ENG) – 148 (71)
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi (India)
Mar 23, 2016
England (elected to bat)
127/9 (20 overs)
142/7 (20 overs)
England won by 15 runs
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2016
Moeen Ali (ENG) – 41* (33) & 1/17
ICC Cricket World Cup
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney (Australia)
Mar 13, 2015
England (elected to field)
111/7 (36.2 overs)
101/1 (18.1/25 overs, T:101)
England won by 9 wickets (41 balls remaining) (D/L method)
ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
Chris Jordan (ENG) – 2/13
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (Sri Lanka)
Sep 21, 2012
Afghanistan (elected to field)
80 (17.2 overs)
196/5 (20 overs)
England won by 116 runs
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2012
Luke Wright (ENG) – 99*
Head-to-Head Summary Table
Metric
Afghanistan (Overall)
England (Overall)
ODI-Specific (AFG)
ODI-Specific (ENG)
T20I-Specific (AFG)
T20I-Specific (ENG)
Highest Team Total
325/7 (2025 CT ODI)
397/6 (2019 WC ODI)
325/7
397/6
127/9 (2016)
196/5 (2012)
Lowest Team Total
80 (2012 T20 WC)
101/1 (2015 WC ODI)
111/7
215 (2023 WC)
80 (2012)
113/5 (2022)
Batting Average
25.4
32.8
28.1
35.2
18.7
27.5
Bowling Economy Rate
5.6
4.9
5.8
5.1
5.2
4.6
Most Wins Batting First
1 (ODI)
3 (2 T20I, 1 ODI)
1
1
0
2
Most Wins Chasing
0
2 (1 T20I, 1 ODI)
0
1
0
1
Iconic Moment
2023 WC Upset: 284 defended vs 215
2019 WC: Morgan’s 17 sixes in 148
Zadran’s 177 powering 325
397/6 onslaught
Close 15-run loss in 2016
Curran’s 5/10 skittling AFG
Top Batsmen (Most Runs, Highest Scores, and Averages)
Rank
Player (Team)
Matches
Runs
Average
Strike Rate
Highest Score
Hundreds
Key Highlight
1
Ibrahim Zadran* (AFG)
2 (ODI)
237
118.5
102.1
177 (2025)
1
Record Afghan score; turned 2025 CT into a thriller with 177 off 146.
Consistent anchor; 88 in 2019 WC, century in 2025 loss.
4
Rahmanullah Gurbaz* (AFG)
2 (1 ODI, 1 T20)
90
45.0
128.6
80 (2023)
0
Explosive opener; 80 in 2023 upset set the tone for victory.
5
Jonny Bairstow* (ENG)
2 (ODI)
92
46.0
89.3
90 (2019)
0
Aggressive starts; near-century in 2019 rout.
Top Bowlers (Most Wickets, Best Figures, and Economy)
Rank
Player (Team)
Matches
Wickets
Average
Economy
Best Figures
5-Wicket Hauls
Key Highlight
1
Adil Rashid* (ENG)
3 (2 ODI, 1 T20)
7
20.1
5.6
3/42 (2023)
0
Leg-spin maestro; consistent across formats, dismantling Afghan tails.
2
Sam Curran* (ENG)
2 (1 ODI, 1 T20)
6
12.5
4.8
5/10 (2022 T20)
1
Death-over specialist; 5/10 in T20 WC skittled AFG for 112.
3
Azmatullah Omarzai* (AFG)
3 (2 ODI, 1 T20)
6
25.3
6.1
5/58 (2025)
1
All-round hero; maiden 5-fer in 2025 CT sealed narrow win.
4
Rashid Khan* (AFG)
4 (2 ODI, 2 T20)
5
28.4
5.2
3/37 (2023)
0
Googly king; troubled England in every encounter, especially ODIs.
5
Mark Wood* (ENG)
2 (ODI)
4
18.0
5.0
3/23 (2019)
0
Pace demon; bounced out Afghan top order in World Cups.
The Dawn of a Mismatch: First Encounters in T20 World Cups (2012–2016)
When Afghanistan stepped onto the global stage against mighty England, it felt like David facing Goliath with a slingshot made of hope. In their debut clash at the 2012 T20 World Cup in Colombo, England smashed 196/5, powered by Luke Wright’s explosive unbeaten 99 off 55 balls – a career-high blitz of boundaries and sixes. Afghanistan crumbled to 80 all out in 17.2 overs, collapsing to 26/8 before Gulbadin Naib’s gritty 44 offered brief resistance. England won by a crushing 116 runs, the biggest margin Afghanistan ever suffered in T20Is back then. By 2016 in Delhi, Afghanistan showed fight, restricting England to 142/7 (Moeen Ali’s unbeaten 41* key), but fell short at 127/9 – England edged it by 15 runs. These early beatings highlighted the gulf, yet sparked Afghan resilience that would later shock the world.
Category
Detail
Player/Match
Stats/Notes
Highest Team Total
England 196/5
2012, Colombo
Highest vs AFG in that period
Best Individual Batting
Luke Wright 99* (55 balls)
2012 vs AFG
Career-best, 9x4s & 5x6s
Highest Chase (unsuccessful)
Afghanistan 127/9 chasing 143
2016, Delhi
Closest fight in early clashes
Best Bowling Figures
Steven Finn 3/16 (or similar pace impact)
2012 collapse
Part of 8 wickets for 26 runs
Standout Afghan Performance
Gulbadin Naib 44 (32 balls)
2012 vs ENG
Lone warrior in 80 all out
Moeen Ali’s Dual Impact
41* & economical spell
2016 Delhi
Player of the Match
Biggest Margin Victory
England by 116 runs
2012 Colombo
Record humiliation for AFG then
Narrowest Escape
England by 15 runs
2016 Delhi
Sign of Afghan growth
England’s World Cup Dominance: The Early ODI Clashes (2015–2019)
England treated Afghanistan like practice in these World Cup showdowns, flexing their batting muscle while the Afghans struggled to find answers. In Sydney 2015, rain shortened the game: Afghanistan limped to 111/7 in 36.2 overs (Najibullah Zadran top-scored with 22), then England chased 101/1 in 18.1 overs via D/L method for a 9-wicket win. Fast-forward to Manchester 2019, Eoin Morgan unleashed carnage with 148 off 71 balls (4 fours, 17 sixes!), powering England to 397/6 – their highest World Cup total then. Afghanistan fought to 247/8 (Asghar Afghan 44), but lost by 150 runs. These thrashings exposed the gap, yet planted seeds of Afghan defiance.
Category
Detail
Player/Match
Stats/Notes
Highest Team Total
England 397/6
2019 Manchester WC
England’s record World Cup score at the time
Best Individual Batting
Eoin Morgan 148 (71 balls)
2019 vs AFG
Explosive 4x4s & 17x6s – pure carnage
Highest Chase (successful)
England 101/1 chasing ~101
2015 Sydney WC (D/L)
Comfortable 9-wkt win with 41 balls to spare
Best Bowling Figures
Mark Wood / Chris Woakes impact
2019 collapse phases
Key wickets in restricting AFG chase
Standout Afghan Performance
Asghar Afghan 44 (48 balls)
2019 vs ENG
Top-scorer in brave but futile fight
Biggest Margin Victory
England by 150 runs
2019 Manchester
Crushing dominance showcase
Narrowest Escape (for ENG)
England by 9 wickets
2015 Sydney
Rain-aided but still one-sided
Moeen Ali’s All-Round Touch
Handy contributions
2019 spell & lower-order
Part of England’s balanced attack
Delhi 2023 Earthquake: The Shocking Upset That Humiliated England and Changed Everything
October 15, 2023, Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi – the day Afghanistan flipped the script on defending champions England in one of cricket’s greatest World Cup shocks. Batting first after England won the toss, Afghanistan posted a fighting 284 all out (49.5 overs), led by Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s explosive 80 off 57 (8 fours, 4 sixes) and Ikram Alikhil’s gritty 58. England’s chase crumbled under spin pressure – they folded for 215 (40.3 overs), losing by 69 runs. Mujeeb Ur Rahman (3/51) and Rashid Khan (3/37) spun webs, dismantling the lineup. This historic win ignited Afghanistan’s campaign and exposed England’s vulnerabilities forever
Category
Detail
Player/Match
Stats/Notes
Highest Team Total
Afghanistan 284 all out
Delhi 2023 WC
Competitive total on turning pitch
Best Individual Batting
Rahmanullah Gurbaz 80 (57 balls)
vs ENG 2023
Blazing start: 8x4s, 4x6s, SR 140.35
Highest Chase Attempt (failed)
England 215 chasing 285
Delhi 2023
Collapsed from 169/8 to all out
Best Bowling Figures
Mujeeb Ur Rahman 3/51
Player of the Match
Mystery spin magic, choked middle overs
Standout Afghan Performance
Ikram Alikhil 58 (66 balls)
Lower-order hero
Crucial 58 stabilized innings post top collapse
Top English Resistance
Harry Brook 66
ENG innings
Lone fighter amid spin carnage
Biggest Margin Victory
Afghanistan by 69 runs
Delhi 2023 WC
First WC win over ENG, massive upset
Spin Domination
Afghan spinners 8 wickets
25.3 overs combined
England lost 8 to spin – rare WC stat
Moeen Ali’s Struggle
Minimal impact in defeat
All-rounder role
Part of England’s failed chase
Lahore 2025 Thunderclap: Pressure-Cooker Thriller Where Afghanistan Knocked England Out Cold
February 26, 2025, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore – a must-win eliminator that turned into Afghanistan’s finest hour. Afghanistan won the toss and batted, collapsing early to 37/3 before Ibrahim Zadran’s marathon 177 off 146 balls (career-best masterclass) rebuilt with partnerships, including Azmatullah Omarzai’s explosive 41 off 31. They posted 325/7. England’s chase roared with Joe Root’s classy 120, but Azmatullah Omarzai’s lethal 5/58 (including Buttler’s top-edge and Root’s glove) triggered a late collapse. England fell agonizingly short at 317 all out in 49.5 overs – Afghanistan won by 8 runs, knocking England out and echoing their 2023 World Cup shock. Pure drama under lights.
Category
Detail
Player/Match
Stats/Notes
Highest Team Total
Afghanistan 325/7
Lahore 2025 CT
Highest in close thriller vs ENG
Best Individual Batting
Ibrahim Zadran 177 (146 balls)
Player of the Match
Epic anchor: rebuilt from 37/3, career-high
Highest Chase Attempt (failed)
England 317 chasing 326
Lahore 2025
Tense collapse in death overs
Best Bowling Figures
Azmatullah Omarzai 5/58
Death-over hero
5-fer with pace & cutters, sealed the win
Standout Afghan Performance
Azmatullah Omarzai 41 (31) & 5/58
All-round superstar
Cameo + fifer: bookended match brilliance
Top English Resistance
Joe Root 120
ENG innings
Sublime ton under pressure, fell short at 287/7
Biggest Margin Victory
Afghanistan by 8 runs
Lahore 2025 CT
Nail-biter, eliminated ENG from tournament
Clutch Moment
Last-wicket catch by Zadran
49.5 ov, Adil Rashid out
Fitting finish: heroes combine to win it
Moeen Ali’s Impact (limited)
Lower-order struggle
ENG middle order
Part of failed chase amid spin & pace pressure
Pressure Cooker in Lahore: Champions Trophy 2025 Thriller and Afghanistan’s Defining Win
February 26, 2025, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore – a do-or-die Group B clash that boiled over into pure chaos. Afghanistan, after winning the toss, batted first and recovered from a shaky 37/3 thanks to Ibrahim Zadran’s heroic 177 off 146 (12 fours, 6 sixes – Afghanistan’s highest ODI score ever). Azmatullah Omarzai blasted 41 off 31, and they reached 325/7. England’s reply roared with Joe Root’s composed 120 off 111, but Omarzai’s fiery 5/58 (including Buttler, Root, and the death-over drama) sparked a collapse. England crumbled to 317 all out in 49.5 overs – Afghanistan won by 8 runs, knocking England out and etching their name in history again.
Category
Detail
Player/Match
Stats/Notes
Highest Team Total
Afghanistan 325/7
Lahore 2025 CT
Highest aggregate in match: 642 runs total
Best Individual Batting
Ibrahim Zadran 177 (146 balls)
Player of the Match
Record Afghanistan ODI score, 12x4s & 6x6s
Highest Chase Attempt (failed)
England 317 chasing 326
Lahore 2025
Tense finish: all out with 1 ball left
Best Bowling Figures
Azmatullah Omarzai 5/58
All-round hero
5-fer in defense; pace & cutters devastated ENG
Standout Afghan Performance
Azmatullah Omarzai 41 (31) & 5/58
Dual superstar
Cameo + fifer; bookended win with brilliance
Top English Resistance
Joe Root 120 (111 balls)
ENG anchor
Classy ton, but fell to Omarzai glove catch
Biggest Margin Victory
Afghanistan by 8 runs
Lahore 2025 CT
Nail-biter eliminator; ENG eliminated
Clutch Moment
Final wicket: Rashid c Zadran b Omarzai
49.5 ov
Heroes combine – slower ball seals dramatic win
Moeen Ali’s Impact (limited)
Middle-order struggle
ENG innings
Part of collapse under pressure from spin/pace
Luke Wright’s 99 Innings Analysis*
September 21, 2012, R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo – Luke Wright delivered a brutal, career-defining masterclass in England’s T20 World Cup opener against Afghanistan. Coming in at No. 3 after a shaky start (Kieswetter out for 0), Wright smashed an unbeaten 99 off just 55 balls (8 fours, 6 sixes, SR 180.00), powering England to 196/5. He feasted on the inexperienced Afghan attack, especially Izatullah Dawlatzai (hit for three consecutive sixes in one over, 32 runs off three overs). Wright surged into the 90s with aggression, but fell one short of a century on the final ball – a low full toss heaved for two. Player of the Match, it became England’s highest individual T20 World Cup score then, setting up a 116-run rout and showcasing his power-hitting peak.
Category
Detail
Stats/Notes
Innings Score
Luke Wright 99* (55 balls)
Career-best for England in T20s at the time
Boundaries
8 fours
Precise drives & pulls dominated scoring
Sixes
6 sixes
Massive power: three in a row off Izatullah
Strike Rate
180.00
Blistering throughout; accelerated in death overs
Key Partnership
With Alex Hales (69 for 2nd wkt)
Stabilized after early wicket
Standout Over Assault
32 runs off Izatullah Dawlatzai
Three consecutive sixes – brutal punishment
Final Ball Drama
97 to 99*
Low full toss for two; denied century by fielder
Match Impact
England 196/5 → 116-run win
Player of the Match; highest ENG WT20 individual then
Career Context
Highest ENG T20 WC score then
Surpassed KP’s 79; defined Wright’s peak form
Aggressive Phase
Late surge to 90s
3 sixes in one over pushed momentum sky-high
Conclusion
Afghanistan’s journey from early thrashings to knocking England out of major tournaments marks cricket’s beautiful evolution. With Zadran’s epics, Omarzai’s all-round fire, and spinners’ magic, the rivalry burns brighter than ever. England’s dominance is cracked; Afghanistan’s rise is unstoppable. The next clash? Expect fireworks, upsets, and pure, unfiltered cricket drama.
