Afghanistan’s rise in T20 cricket has been one of the sport’s most fascinating stories. For years, they struggled to get past Pakistan, a team that has long dominated their head-to-head battles.
But on Tuesday night in Sharjah, Rashid Khan’s men finally delivered the kind of statement win they had been building toward. A spirited all-around performance saw Afghanistan beat Pakistan by 18 runs in the ongoing tri-series, reminding everyone that they are no longer pushovers ahead of the Asia Cup 2025.
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From an opening stumble against Pakistan earlier in the week to a powerful comeback, the Afghans showed resilience, balance, and bite when it mattered most.
Afghanistan vs Pakistan T20I results: Full head-to-head record
In total, the two sides have met nine times in T20 internationals, with Pakistan winning five and Afghanistan winning four. The rivalry began in Sharjah in 2013 when Pakistan won by six wickets, and it remained one-sided until 2023.
Since then, Afghanistan have clinched statement wins, including two in Sharjah in March 2023, a four-wicket win at the Asian Games in Hangzhou later that year, and most recently the 18-run victory in Sharjah on Sept. 2, 2025.
MORE: Asia Cup 2025: Complete schedule, dates, venues and teams
The latest game saw Afghanistan post 169/5 after Sediqullah Atal (64) and Ibrahim Zadran (65) stitched a century stand. Pakistan’s reply crumbled, with Saim Ayub out for a first-ball duck and Rashid Khan striking twice in two balls in the 16th over to remove Mohammad Nawaz and Shaheen Afridi. Haris Rauf’s unbeaten 34 wasn’t enough as Pakistan finished on 151/9 in 20 overs.
Afghanistan’s four wins, in 2023 (twice in Sharjah), 2023 (Asian Games in Hangzhou), and now in 2025 (Sharjah), underline a rivalry that is no longer as lopsided as it once looked.
Full Afghanistan vs Pakistan T20I match list
| S.No. | Match Date | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 Dec 2013 | Pakistan Won | 6 wickets |
| 2 | 29 Oct 2021 | Pakistan Won | 5 wickets |
| 3 | 7 Sep 2022 | Pakistan Won | 1 wicket |
| 4 | 24 Mar 2023 | Afghanistan Won | 6 wickets |
| 5 | 26 Mar 2023 | Afghanistan Won | 7 wickets |
| 6 | 27 Mar 2023 | Pakistan Won | 66 runs |
| 7 | 6 Oct 2023 | Afghanistan Won | 4 wickets |
| 8 | 29 Aug 2025 | Pakistan Won | 39 runs |
| 9 | 2 Sep 2025 | Afghanistan Won | 18 runs |