Quick Answer
The Afghanistan national cricket team vs Sri Lanka national cricket team match scorecard history is one of Asian cricket’s most compelling stories. What began as a David-versus-Goliath setup has evolved into a fiercely competitive rivalry — one where upsets are routine, last-over drama is expected, and every match scorecard tells its own breathless story.
Sri Lanka entered international cricket in 1982. Afghanistan only earned Full Member status from the ICC in 2017. Yet when you look at the Afghanistan national cricket team vs Sri Lanka national cricket team match scorecard across T20Is, ODIs, and Tests, the gap between these two sides has closed at a remarkable pace. Sri Lanka still leads the overall head-to-head, but Afghanistan has delivered wins that no one saw coming.
Disclaimer: All match statistics in this article have been sourced from publicly available scorecard data on ESPN Cricinfo, CricTracker, and official ICC records. Player scores, bowling figures, and match details reflect the verified official scorecard of the 2nd Match, Group A of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier 2025, played on September 18, 2025. This article is intended for informational and entertainment purposes. Some minor secondary stats (batting positions inferred from fall-of-wicket data) may be approximate. Readers are encouraged to cross-verify with official ICC and ESPNCricinfo sources for complete accuracy.
Quick Stats: Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Head-to-Head Snapshot
| Category | Afghanistan | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| ICC Test Status | Full Member (2017) | Full Member (1982) |
| T20I Matches (vs each other) | ~11 | ~11 |
| ODI Matches (vs each other) | ~9 | ~9 |
| Test Matches (vs each other) | 1 | 1 |
| Biggest T20 Win (vs each other) | 8 wickets (Asia Cup 2022) | 72 runs (Feb 2024) |
| Best T20 Scorer (vs each other) | Mohammad Nabi | Kusal Mendis |
| Current T20I Captain | Rashid Khan | Charith Asalanka |
| Current ODI Captain | Hashmatullah Shahidi | TBD |
Overall Head-to-Head Record
When you look at every Afghanistan national cricket team vs Sri Lanka national cricket team match scorecard across all three formats combined, Sri Lanka holds a clear lead — but Afghanistan’s wins have come in the most dramatic fashion imaginable.
| Format | Matches | AFG Won | SL Won | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20 Internationals | ~11 | 3–4 | 7–8 | 0 |
| One Day Internationals | ~9 | ~2 | ~7 | 0 |
| Test Matches | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Sri Lanka dominate the longer formats. In T20 cricket, however, Afghanistan has proven it can punch well above its weight — particularly in neutral conditions across the UAE.
Asia Cup 2025: Sri Lanka Wins a Thriller (September 18, 2025)
The most recent Afghanistan national cricket team vs Sri Lanka national cricket team match scorecard came from the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 — and it produced one of the most memorable individual performances in the rivalry’s history.
Match Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 |
| Venue | Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
| Date | September 18, 2025 |
| Toss | Afghanistan won; elected to bat |
| Result | Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets (8 balls remaining) |
Afghanistan Innings: 169/8 (20 overs)
Afghanistan’s innings had a split personality. They built steadily, lost wickets at the wrong moments, and looked set to finish well short of a competitive total — until Mohammad Nabi walked out at 137/7 in the 19th over.
What followed was pure theatre. Nabi hammered five sixes in the final over off Dunith Wellalage, bringing up a fifty off just 20 balls — the fastest T20I half-century ever recorded by an Afghan batter, breaking his own previous record. Afghanistan scrambled from 137 to 169/8 in the final moments.
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Nabi | 60 | ~24 | 5 sixes in final over; fastest AFG T20I fifty |
| Others | Contributed | — | Steady build, wickets fell mid-innings |
Sri Lanka Chase: 171/4 (18.4 overs)
Sri Lanka’s reply was anchored by Kusal Mendis, who played one of the finest chasing innings in this rivalry. His unbeaten 74 off 52 balls was composed, calculated, and ruthless against Afghanistan’s vaunted spin attack. Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad — none of it could stop him.
| Batter | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Kusal Mendis | 74* | 52 |
| Kusal Perera | 28 | — |
Nuwan Thushara was the standout bowler with figures of 4/18 against Afghanistan’s top order. Sri Lanka’s win knocked Afghanistan out of Asia Cup 2025 and pushed the Lions into the Super Four stage.
Asia Cup 2022: Afghanistan’s Statement Win
No single Afghanistan national cricket team vs Sri Lanka national cricket team match scorecard captures Afghanistan’s rise better than the Asia Cup 2022 opener in Dubai — an 8-wicket demolition that sent shockwaves through Asian cricket.
Match Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Asia Cup 2022 (T20) |
| Venue | Dubai International Cricket Stadium |
| Date | August 27, 2022 |
| Result | Afghanistan won by 8 wickets |
Sri Lanka Innings: 105 all out (19.4 overs)
Afghanistan’s bowlers were relentless. Fazalhaq Farooqi (3/11), Mohammad Nabi (2/14), and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2/24) dismantled Sri Lanka’s batting lineup, bundling them out for just 105.
| Bowler (AFG) | Figures |
|---|---|
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 3/11 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 2/14 |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 2/24 |
Afghanistan Chase: 106/2 (10.1 overs)
The chase was even more dominant. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (40 off 18 balls) and Hazratullah Zazai (37 off 28) tore through the target in just over ten overs. Comprehensive. Dominant. Unforgettable.
| Batter (AFG) | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 40 | 18 |
| Hazratullah Zazai | 37 | 28 |
2024 Sri Lanka Tour: Sri Lanka Fights Back Across All Formats
Afghanistan toured Sri Lanka in February 2024 for a full bilateral series — one Test, three ODIs, and three T20Is. When you review the Afghanistan national cricket team vs Sri Lanka national cricket team match scorecard across this tour, Sri Lanka’s home advantage was decisive.
Series Results Summary
| Format | Result | Top Performer |
|---|---|---|
| Test (1 match) | Sri Lanka won | Angelo Mathews (141 runs), Prabath Jayasuriya (8 wkts) |
| ODI Series (3 matches) | Sri Lanka won 3–0 | Pathum Nissanka (346 runs), Pramod Madushan (8 wkts) |
| T20I Series (3 matches) | Sri Lanka won 2–1 | Wanindu Hasaranga (102 runs), Matheesha Pathirana (8 wkts) |
Sri Lanka’s 3–0 ODI sweep was their most dominant performance in the rivalry. Pathum Nissanka’s 346 runs across three matches stands as the highest individual run tally in any single bilateral series between these two nations.
Afghanistan did claim one T20I victory — a reminder that this team never rolls over quietly, regardless of conditions or scorelines.
2023 ODI Series: Afghanistan Takes One
The Afghanistan national cricket team vs Sri Lanka national cricket team match scorecard from the June 2023 ODI series in Sri Lanka showed Afghanistan drawing first blood before Sri Lanka recovered to win the series 2–1.
Afghanistan’s 6-wicket win in the opening ODI demonstrated genuine growth in the 50-over format — a format where Sri Lanka had historically outclassed them with ease.
Key Players Who Have Defined This Rivalry
Afghanistan’s Match-Winners
Rashid Khan — Afghanistan’s captain and best bowler. His leg-spin has been a constant threat in every Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka match scorecard since he burst onto the scene. Even in quieter outings (0/23 in the 2025 Asia Cup), his presence shapes how opponents plan their innings.
Mohammad Nabi — The veteran all-rounder is Afghanistan’s big-moment player. His 60 off ~24 balls in the 2025 Asia Cup final over — five sixes off the last over — was the most audacious innings this rivalry has produced. He also chipped in with the ball in the 2022 Asia Cup.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz — The explosive opener who demolished the 2022 Asia Cup chase with 40 off 18 balls. One of the most destructive T20 openers in Asian cricket today.
Fazalhaq Farooqi — His 3/11 in the Asia Cup 2022 was the performance that dismantled Sri Lanka’s batting and set up Afghanistan’s famous 8-wicket win.
Sri Lanka’s Match-Winners
Kusal Mendis — His 74* off 52 in the 2025 Asia Cup is the finest chasing innings in any Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka T20 match scorecard. Calm, authoritative, and unreadable to Afghanistan’s spin attack.
Pathum Nissanka — 346 runs across three ODIs in 2024. The most dominant individual batting performance across any single Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka series.
Nuwan Thushara — 4/18 in the 2025 Asia Cup. His pace and swing made Afghanistan’s top order look vulnerable.
Wanindu Hasaranga — Sri Lanka’s wrist-spinning match-winner. Consistently impacts the Afghanistan national cricket team vs Sri Lanka national cricket team match scorecard with both bat and ball.
Prabath Jayasuriya — 8 wickets in the 2024 Test. His left-arm spin on Sri Lankan pitches was unplayable for Afghanistan’s batters.
Top 5 Most Impactful Performances: AFG vs SL
Based on match context, conditions, and outcome, these are the five performances that have most defined this rivalry:
| Rank | Player | Match | Performance | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kusal Mendis (SL) | Asia Cup 2025 | 74* off 52; led the chase home | ★★★★★ |
| 2 | Fazalhaq Farooqi (AFG) | Asia Cup 2022 | 3/11; destroyed SL top order | ★★★★★ |
| 3 | Pathum Nissanka (SL) | ODI Series 2024 | 346 runs across 3 ODIs | ★★★★★ |
| 4 | Mohammad Nabi (AFG) | Asia Cup 2025 | 60 off 24; 5 sixes in last over | ★★★★☆ |
| 5 | Nuwan Thushara (SL) | Asia Cup 2025 | 4/18 vs AFG top order | ★★★★☆ |
What Makes the AFG vs SL Rivalry So Compelling?
Every Afghanistan national cricket team vs Sri Lanka national cricket team match scorecard adds another layer to a rivalry that keeps growing. Here’s why fans keep coming back:
World-Class Spin on Both Sides — When Rashid Khan faces a lineup containing Wanindu Hasaranga on one side, and Afghanistan’s batters take on Prabath Jayasuriya on the other, the spin chess match is genuinely elite.
Explosive Batting at the Top — Gurbaz, Zazai, Nissanka, Mendis — the powerplay battles in every Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka T20 match scorecard have been among the most electrifying in Asian T20 cricket.
Neutral-Venue Cricket — Most matches are played in the UAE, giving both sides near-equal conditions. It strips away home-ground advantage and produces cricket that lives or dies on pure skill.
Afghanistan’s Upward Trajectory — Afghanistan’s rapid ascent means every series now carries genuine competitive weight. There are no guaranteed results when these two teams meet.
Last-Over Drama — From Nabi’s five sixes to Thushara’s four wickets, the Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka match scorecard almost always has a moment that decides it at the death.
The 2026 Series: Still Pending
A three-ODI, three-T20I series scheduled for March 2026 in Sharjah was set to produce the next chapter in the Afghanistan national cricket team vs Sri Lanka national cricket team match scorecard story. The series was postponed due to the Iran conflict, with revised dates yet to be confirmed by the Afghanistan Cricket Board and Sri Lanka Cricket.
When the series does take place, Afghanistan will be looking to close the overall head-to-head gap — and based on recent form, they are more than capable of doing exactly that.
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Conclusion
The Afghanistan national cricket team vs Sri Lanka national cricket team match scorecard across every format tells a story of relentless growth, competitive fire, and genuine cricketing drama. Sri Lanka leads the head-to-head. But Afghanistan has shown — in Dubai in 2022, in Colombo in 2023, and in Abu Dhabi in 2025 — that the gap is closing fast.
The next time these two teams meet, expect another match scorecard worth talking about for years.
Key Takeaways:
- Sri Lanka leads the overall AFG vs SL head-to-head across all formats
- Afghanistan’s most dominant win: 8-wicket victory in Asia Cup 2022
- Most recent match: Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets, Asia Cup 2025
- Mohammad Nabi holds the record for the fastest T20I fifty by an Afghan batter (set vs Sri Lanka, 2025)
- Pathum Nissanka’s 346 ODI runs in 2024 is the highest individual series tally in this rivalry
- The 2026 Sharjah series was postponed due to the Iran conflict; new dates TBD
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Who won the most recent Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka cricket match?
Sri Lanka won the most recent clash — the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 Group B match on September 18, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, by 6 wickets with 8 balls to spare. Kusal Mendis was Player of the Match with an unbeaten 74 off 52 balls.
Q2. What is the Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka head-to-head record across all formats?
Sri Lanka leads the overall Afghanistan national cricket team vs Sri Lanka national cricket team match scorecard head-to-head. Across T20Is, ODIs, and Tests combined, Sri Lanka have won the majority of encounters. Afghanistan, however, has won 3–4 T20Is and has shown consistent improvement across every format.
Q3. When did Afghanistan beat Sri Lanka by 8 wickets?
Afghanistan’s biggest win in this rivalry came on August 27, 2022, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the Asia Cup 2022 opener. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 105, and Afghanistan reached 106/2 in just 10.1 overs.
Q4. Who has scored the most runs in a single series between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka?
Pathum Nissanka scored 346 runs across three ODIs in Sri Lanka’s home series against Afghanistan in February 2024 — the highest individual run tally in any single bilateral series between these two teams.
Q5. Who is the best bowler in Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka matches?
Several bowlers have excelled. Nuwan Thushara (4/18 in Asia Cup 2025), Fazalhaq Farooqi (3/11 in Asia Cup 2022), Prabath Jayasuriya (8 wickets in the 2024 Test), and Pramod Madushan (8 wickets in the 2024 ODI series) are the standouts across every Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka match scorecard.
Q6. What happened to the Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka 2026 series?
The March 2026 series in Sharjah — three ODIs and three T20Is — was postponed due to the Iran conflict. Revised dates are yet to be announced by the Afghanistan Cricket Board and Sri Lanka Cricket.
Q7. Has Afghanistan ever beaten Sri Lanka in an ODI?
Yes. Afghanistan beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets in the opening ODI of the June 2023 series in Sri Lanka, before Sri Lanka won the series 2–1.
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Last Updated: May 21, 2026
