Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Timeline

Both Afghanistan and Bangladesh are Full Members of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Their cricket rivalry has grown over the years, with many memorable matches in ODIs, T20Is, and Tests. Let’s look at the key moments in their journey.

Early Encounters and Recognition (2014–2015)

Historic First Meeting (2014 Asia Cup)

  • Afghanistan and Bangladesh first met in an ODI at the Asia Cup 2014.

  • Bangladesh won the match by 32 runs.

  • This was Afghanistan’s first big tournament against a Test-playing team, marking the start of an exciting rivalry.

Emerging Force

  • Even though Afghanistan was new to international cricket, their strong performance showed they were a rising team.

  • Matches with Bangladesh gave them confidence and recognition.

Rise of Afghan Cricket (2016–2017)

T20 Breakthrough (2016)

  • In 2016, Afghanistan and Bangladesh played their first T20 International (T20I) series.

  • The games showed Afghanistan’s quick growth, especially in spin bowling.

Series Victory (2017)

  • Afghanistan won their first T20I series against Bangladesh in 2017.

  • This was a turning point that proved Afghanistan could compete with established Test nations.

Test Cricket Era (2018–2019)

Historic Test Victory (2019)

  • In September 2019, Afghanistan beat Bangladesh in Chattogram by 224 runs.

  • This was Afghanistan’s first-ever Test win, and it came in only their third Test match.

Rashid Khan’s Leadership

  • Rashid Khan became the youngest Test captain to win a match.

  • His leadership symbolized Afghanistan’s rise from underdogs to a competitive Test team.

Modern Era Development (2020–2024)

T20 World Cup Encounters (2022)

  • Afghanistan and Bangladesh faced each other in the 2022 T20 World Cup at Sharjah.

  • Bangladesh won the match by 7 wickets.

  • These high-pressure games added more excitement to their rivalry.

Bilateral Series Growth

  • The two teams began playing regular bilateral series.

  • These matches gave both sides a chance to test new players and improve their strategies.

Impact on Asian Cricket

Regional Influence

  • The Afghanistan-Bangladesh rivalry has added fresh energy to Asian cricket, alongside giants like India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

  • Their close matches are thrilling for fans and have made cricket more popular in both nations.

Future Prospects

  • With both teams investing in young players and better cricket facilities, their rivalry will only get stronger.

  • Bangladesh brings experience and balance, while Afghanistan brings dynamic, aggressive cricket, especially in T20s.

Legacy and Future

The cricket rivalry between Afghanistan and Bangladesh is about more than just wins and losses. It shows how new cricket nations can rise and challenge traditional powers. As both countries continue to grow, their future clashes will likely be even more competitive and memorable, adding to the rich history of international cricket.