Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline

Cricket fans love a good underdog story, and when it comes to international cricket, Afghanistan’s rise has been nothing short of inspiring. One of the most interesting emerging rivalries in the sport is between the Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team. Though they haven't played as many matches as some other rivalries, the timeline between these two teams is rich with fascinating moments, historic firsts, and signs of a bright future for Afghan cricket.

Let's take a deep dive into their timeline, including exact dates, match results, and important milestones.

Early Encounters: World Cups Introduce the Rivalry

1. 2010 ICC T20 World Cup (May 5, 2010)

Their first-ever meeting came during the 2010 ICC T20 World Cup held in the West Indies.

• Venue: Kensington Oval, Barbados

• Result: South Africa won by 59 runs.

• Highlights: Batting first, South Africa scored 139/7. Afghanistan struggled under the lights and folded for 80 runs. This match showcased Afghanistan's early struggles but also their fighting spirit.

2. 2016 ICC T20 World Cup (March 20, 2016)

Fast forward six years, Afghanistan faced South Africa again in a T20 World Cup clash in India.

• Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

• Result: South Africa won by 37 runs.

• Highlights: South Africa posted a daunting 209/5, thanks to AB de Villiers' quickfire 64 off 29 balls. Afghanistan responded bravely but were bowled out for 172.

ODI Encounters: Growing Competitiveness

3. 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup (June 15, 2019)

This was their first-ever meeting in the One-Day International (ODI) format.

• Venue: Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

• Result: South Africa won by 9 wickets.

• Highlights: Afghanistan, batting first, were bowled out for just 125 runs. Imran Tahir starred with 4 wickets. South Africa easily chased down the target.

At this stage, it was clear that South Africa dominated, but Afghanistan was steadily learning and improving.

Turning Point: 2023 World Cup and Beyond

4. 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup (November 10, 2023)

By the 2023 World Cup, Afghanistan had improved dramatically.

• Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

• Result: South Africa won by 5 wickets, but it was a hard-fought match.

• Highlights:

  • Afghanistan posted a competitive 244 runs, led by Azmatullah Omarzai's classy 97.

  • South Africa chased it down with 15 balls to spare, thanks to Rassie van der Dussen’s 76* and Quinton de Kock’s 41.

The result might have been the same, but the gap between the two teams had visibly narrowed.

Historic Moment: 2024 T20 World Cup Semi-Final

5. 2024 ICC T20 World Cup Semi-Final (June 27, 2024)

This was a truly historic clash for both teams.

• Venue: Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad

• Result: South Africa won by 9 wickets.

• Highlights:

  • Afghanistan was bowled out for just 56 runs, their lowest T20I total.

  • Marco Jansen picked up 3 wickets in a destructive spell.

  • South Africa chased down the target in just 8.5 overs, storming into their first-ever men's T20 World Cup Final.

Despite the heavy loss, reaching the semi-final itself was a historic achievement for Afghanistan and a testament to their growth.

First Bilateral Series: A New Chapter (September 2024)

After their World Cup battles, the two teams met in a three-match ODI series held in Sharjah, UAE. This series was historic because it was the first bilateral ODI series between Afghanistan and South Africa.

6. 1st ODI – September 18, 2024

• Result: Afghanistan won by 6 wickets.

• Highlights: Rashid Khan dismantled South Africa with a 4-wicket haul, restricting them to 106 runs. Afghanistan chased the target comfortably.

7. 2nd ODI – September 20, 2024

• Result: Afghanistan won by 177 runs.

• Highlights:

  • Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored a magnificent 105.

  • Rashid Khan again dominated with a 5-wicket haul (5/19).

8. 3rd ODI – September 22, 2024

• Result: South Africa won by 7 wickets.

• Highlights:

  • Afghanistan scored 169.

  • Aiden Markram’s unbeaten 69 helped South Africa avoid a clean sweep.

Series Result: Afghanistan won the series 2-1 — a landmark achievement!

Head-to-Head Overall Summary

Afghanistan’s victories, especially the 2024 bilateral series, reflect a huge leap forward from where they started just a decade ago.

Final Thoughts

The Afghanistan vs South Africa cricket timeline is a story of progress, determination, and mutual respect. From being overwhelmed in their early meetings to outclassing the Proteas in a bilateral ODI series, Afghanistan has shown that they're not just here to compete — they're here to win.

As both teams continue to evolve, we can expect many more thrilling encounters, closer contests, and unforgettable moments in the years ahead.