Table of Contents
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline highlights the major moments, matches, and developments between two teams that have built an increasingly interesting cricket rivalry. Afghanistan have established themselves as a competitive international side through strong performances in white-ball cricket, while West Indies bring a rich cricketing tradition and a history of producing world-class players. Their meetings have included important matches across international competitions and bilateral contests. This timeline brings together the key stages of their cricketing journey, helping fans understand how the rivalry has developed and which encounters have stood out over the years.
Rivalry Overview
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team and West Indies Cricket Team have developed an intriguing international rivalry built around contrasting cricketing styles. Afghanistan’s rise has been driven by world-class spin bowling and an increasingly powerful batting unit, while West Indies have traditionally relied on explosive batting, pace and athletic fielding.
Their rivalry became particularly memorable during the 2016 ICC World Twenty20, when Afghanistan stunned eventual champions West Indies by six runs in Nagpur. The result was significant because West Indies went on to win the tournament, while Afghanistan produced one of the competition’s biggest upsets.
Since then, the teams have met across Tests, ODIs and T20Is, with several matches producing important milestones for Afghanistan.
| Category | Afghanistan | West Indies |
|---|
| Cricket Region | Asia | Caribbean |
| International Status | Full ICC Member | Full ICC Member |
| Main Strength | Spin bowling and aggressive batting | Power hitting and pace bowling |
| Key Format | T20I and ODI | T20I and ODI |
| Notable Rivalry | World Cups and bilateral series | World Cups and bilateral series |
| Famous Players | Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Chris Gayle, Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran |
| Major Rivalry Moment | 2016 T20 World Cup win | 2024 T20 World Cup victory |
First Official Match
The rivalry reached the international stage in 2016, when Afghanistan faced West Indies at the ICC World Twenty20 in India. Afghanistan won the group-stage encounter by six runs, creating an early landmark in their rivalry.
The match was particularly notable because West Indies eventually became tournament champions, making Afghanistan’s victory even more impressive.
The teams subsequently developed a more regular bilateral relationship. In 2017, Afghanistan toured the Caribbean for the first time for a limited-overs series. The tour included three T20Is and three ODIs.
Timeline of Major Matches
| Year | Format | Major Event | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | T20I | ICC World Twenty20, Nagpur | Afghanistan won by 6 runs |
| 2017 | ODI | First ODI series in the Caribbean | Afghanistan won 1st ODI by 63 runs |
| 2017 | T20I | Afghanistan’s Caribbean tour | West Indies won the series |
| 2019 | ODI | Series in Lucknow | West Indies won the 3rd ODI by 5 wickets |
| 2019 | Test | Historic one-off Test in Lucknow | West Indies won by 9 wickets |
| 2024 | T20I | T20 World Cup, Saint Lucia | West Indies won by 104 runs |
| 2026 | T20I | Series in Dubai | Afghanistan won the first two matches |
The 2017 ODI series was an important step in making the rivalry more competitive. Afghanistan won the opening ODI by 63 runs after posting 212/6 and bowling West Indies out for 149. Rashid Khan was named Player of the Match.
Historic Test Matches
The Test rivalry has been limited to one match so far.
Afghanistan and West Indies met in a historic one-off Test at Lucknow in November 2019. West Indies won by nine wickets after Afghanistan were dismissed for 187 and 120, while West Indies scored 277 in their first innings and reached the modest target in the fourth innings.
For Afghanistan, the match was still historically important because it represented another major stage in their rapid development as a Test nation. Afghanistan had only gained Test status in 2017 and played their first Test against India in June 2018.
Memorable Rivalry Moments
Afghanistan’s 2016 T20 World Cup Upset
One of the defining moments came in Nagpur in 2016. Afghanistan defeated West Indies by six runs despite facing a team that would eventually win the tournament.
The result demonstrated Afghanistan’s ability to compete with established international sides and helped establish their reputation as a dangerous T20 team.
Rashid Khan’s 2017 ODI Impact
Rashid Khan played a major role in Afghanistan’s first ODI victory over West Indies in the Caribbean. Afghanistan scored 212/6, with Javed Ahmadi making 81, before West Indies were bowled out for 149. Rashid was named Player of the Match.
West Indies’ 2019 ODI Chase
The third ODI in Lucknow in November 2019 produced another memorable contest. Afghanistan scored 249/7, but West Indies chased the target successfully, reaching 253/5 with eight balls remaining. Shai Hope made an unbeaten 109, while Roston Chase contributed 42.
West Indies’ 2024 T20 World Cup Dominance
At the 2024 T20 World Cup in Saint Lucia, West Indies produced one of their most dominant victories against Afghanistan. West Indies scored 218/5, while Afghanistan were dismissed for 114, giving West Indies a massive 104-run victory.
Greatest Individual Performances
| Player | Team | Performance | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rashid Khan | Afghanistan | Player of the Match | 2017 1st ODI |
| Javed Ahmadi | Afghanistan | 81 runs | 2017 1st ODI |
| Shai Hope | West Indies | 109 runs | 2019 3rd ODI |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Afghanistan | 79 runs | 2019 T20I series decider |
| Naveen-ul-Haq | Afghanistan | 3/24 | 2019 T20I series decider |
In the 2017 ODI opener, Javed Ahmadi’s 81 formed the backbone of Afghanistan’s 212/6, while Rashid Khan’s bowling helped complete the 63-run victory.
The 2019 T20I series also produced a landmark Afghanistan performance. In the deciding match, Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 79 and Naveen-ul-Haq took 3/24 as Afghanistan won by 30 runs and secured their first T20I series victory over West Indies.
Record-Breaking Matches
The rivalry has produced several impressive statistical milestones:
- 104 runs: West Indies’ margin of victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
- 218/5: West Indies’ highest score in that 2024 T20 World Cup meeting.
- 212/6: Afghanistan’s score in their first ODI victory over West Indies in 2017.
- 63 runs: Afghanistan’s winning margin in the 2017 ODI.
- 109: Shai Hope’s century in the 2019 third ODI.
- 6 runs: Afghanistan’s winning margin against West Indies at the 2016 World T20.
- 9 wickets: West Indies’ margin of victory in the 2019 Test.
Recent Encounters
The rivalry continued into 2026, with Afghanistan and West Indies meeting in a three-match T20I series in Dubai.
Afghanistan won the first T20I by 38 runs, scoring 181/3 before restricting West Indies to 143/9.
Afghanistan then won the second T20I by 39 runs, posting 189/4 before dismissing West Indies for 150. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Azmatullah Omarzai were among Afghanistan’s key bowlers.
West Indies responded in the third T20I with a 15-run victory, with Shamar Springer taking a hat-trick to help seal the match. Afghanistan nevertheless finished the series as winners.
Overall, the Afghanistan-West Indies timeline shows how a relatively young international rivalry has quickly produced major World Cup upsets, historic Test encounters, memorable individual performances and competitive T20 series. Afghanistan’s growth has made the matchup increasingly significant, while West Indies’ power and experience continue to make them a formidable opponent.
Final Thoughts
The Afghanistan and West Indies cricket timeline reflects the changing landscape of international cricket. Afghanistan’s rapid rise has created more competitive contests against established teams such as West Indies. Each meeting has added another chapter to their developing rivalry, with different players and match situations shaping the story. For cricket fans, tracking their major encounters provides useful context about both teams’ progress and strengths. As Afghanistan continue to grow on the international stage and West Indies work to rebuild their competitive consistency, future meetings could become even more significant. Their timeline is therefore not only a record of past matches but also a window into the evolving future of international cricket.
FAQs
1. When did Afghanistan and West Indies first play international cricket against each other?
Afghanistan and West Indies have met in international cricket across different formats as Afghanistan developed its status as a major international cricket team.
2. Which formats have Afghanistan and West Indies played against each other?
The teams have faced each other in ODIs, T20Is and World Cup competitions, depending on the international schedule.
3. Have Afghanistan and West Indies played in a World Cup?
Yes. Afghanistan and West Indies have faced each other in major ICC competitions, producing notable matches for cricket fans.
4. Who has been more successful between Afghanistan and West Indies?
The overall balance depends on the format and period being considered. West Indies have the longer international history, while Afghanistan have made significant progress in recent years.
5. Why is the Afghanistan vs West Indies rivalry becoming interesting?
Afghanistan’s rapid development, particularly in limited-overs cricket, has made their matches against the experienced West Indies side increasingly competitive and important.