The Afghanistan national cricket team vs Sri Lanka national cricket team story is an interesting one, with a period to claim that we had seen the rise of a new nationalist Asian cricket playing nation now trying to take on an older established Asian side. Their bitter rivalry has taken shape through the major tournaments such as Asia Cup, ICC Cricket World Cup and ICC T20 World Cup down to bilateral series.
The 2014 Asia Cup was the first time that Afghanistan and Sri Lanka faced each other in men’s international cricket. The teams have played competitive matches in ODIs and T20Is since then, but their first Test was during Afghanistan’s tour of Sri Lanka in February 2024.
Sri Lanka had some early gains, but Afghanistan soon emerged a stronger opponent than in earlier years. This improvement was most evident during the 2018 Asia Cup when Afghanistan won their first match against Sri Lanka by 91 runs. Afghanistan too have had some significant wins in T20 cricket, winning the 2022 Asia Cup and then followed by another gold medal victory at the Asian Games 2023.
Sri Lanka’s overall head-to-head record over their opposition as of August 2026, in ODIs and T20Is Their most recent completed T20I encounter was in September 2025, with Sri Lanka overcoming Afghanistan by six wickets. The next chapter of that rivalry is still left to be played with a white-ball series originally penciled in for 2026 having been delayed.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Timeline at a Glance
| Year | Format/Event | Result |
| 2014 | Asia Cup ODI | Sri Lanka won by 129 runs |
| 2016 | T20 World Cup | Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets |
| 2018 | Asia Cup ODI | Afghanistan won by 91 runs |
| 2019 | ODI World Cup | Sri Lanka won by 34 runs |
| 2022 | Asia Cup T20I | Afghanistan won by 8 wickets |
| 2022 | Asia Cup T20I | Sri Lanka won by 4 wickets |
| 2022 | T20 World Cup | Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets |
| 2023 | Asian Games T20 | Afghanistan won by 8 runs |
| 2023 | ODI World Cup | Afghanistan won by 7 wickets |
| 2024 | Test | Sri Lanka won by 10 wickets |
| 2024 | ODI series | Sri Lanka won 3-0 |
| 2024 | T20I series | Sri Lanka won 2-1 |
| 2025 | T20I | Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets |
| 2026 | Planned UAE series | Postponed |
2014: The Rivalry Begins in the Asia Cup
The Afghanistan national cricket team vs. Sri Lanka national cricket team timeline started on 3 March 2014, during the Asia Cup in Bangladesh.
The 2014 Asia Cup is a very important event for Afghanistan because it will mark Afghanistan’s first appearance in the Asia Cup, in 50-over format. They ran into a good Sri Lankan side that included Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Mathews and Lasith Malinga.
Coming to the match, Sri Lanka won the toss and batted first scoring 253/6 in 50 overs. Kumar Sangakkara top-scored for Sri Lanka with 76 from 102 balls, and Angelo Mathews made 45.
Afghanistan were then bundled out for just 124 in 38.4 overs. Ajantha Mendis, in particular, bowled beautifully to take 3 for 11.
Sri Lanka won by 129 runs, handing Afghanistan a severe welcome to elite Asian cricket.
2014 Match Stats
- Sri Lanka: 253/6
- Afghanistan: 124 all out
- Sri Lanka won by 129 runs
- Man of the Match: Kumar Sangakkara
- Sangakkara’s score: 76
- Ajantha Mendis: 3/11
Sri Lanka of course were looking a few levels up from this stage. However, Afghanistan were still growing their international cricket system.
2016: Sri Lanka Win the T20 World Cup Meeting
Two years later, both teams met in the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 at Kolkata.
Afghanistan batted first and managed to post 153/7. Captain Asghar Stanikzai top-scored with 62 from 47 balls. He picked the Sri Lankan bowling apart during those crucial middle overs and helped Afghanistan get to an above par total.
Eventually Sri Lanka so mercilessly crushed the experience. Sri Lanka chased down the target in 18 overs, reaching a total of 81 runs and taking six wickets with the aid of Tillakaratne Dilshan as well who made a half-century.
It was an important victory because it demonstrated that Afghanistan were roughly capable of matching skilled Test nation players at the shortest format, but Sri Lanka still held a semblance of control over the outcome.
2018: Afghanistan Create a Major Upset
If you look back at the Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka history, then undoubtedly one of the major turning points came in the 2018 Asia Cup.
Prior to this match, Afghanistan had never won an ODI against the Sri Lankans. Sri Lanka had thrashed the latter in their previous two meetings.
On September 17, 2018 that view changed dramatically during a sequence of events in Abu Dhabi.
After electing to bat first, Afghanistan were bundled out for 249. Rahmat Shah top-scored with 72 from 90 balls and Hashmatullah Shahidi made 37.
Sri Lanka’s chase collapsed. One man with little trouble with the conditions was Thisara Perera, who took five wickets as Sri Lanka were dismissed for only 158.
Afghanistan beat Sri Lanka by 91 runs – Afghanistan’s first ODI win over SriLanka
Key 2018 Stats
- Afghanistan: 249
- Sri Lanka: 158
- Afghanistan won by: 91 runs
- Rahmat Shah: 72
- Thisara Perera: 5 wickets
It was more than just another result. Proving how far Afghanistan had progressed since our first meeting in 2014.
2019: World Cup Thriller in Cardiff
The 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup had a repeat fixture between the sides at Cardiff.
Sri Lanka: 201 all out in 36.5 overs Kusal Perera scored 78 for Sri Lanka, while Mohammad Nabi was the pick of Afghanistan bowlers with figures of 4/30.
Rain then changed the equation.
As a result, Afghanistan were set the target of 187 from just 41 overs using the DLS method. Things did not start well for their chase as they slumped to 57/5.
Replacing the captain, Najibullah Zadran and Gulbadin Naib shared a partnership only for Nuwan Pradeep to return from back surgery last year and struck twice in the 47th over. This meant Afghanistan could finish on 152, and Sri Lanka won by 34 runs in the DLS calculation.
This was one of the tightest matches between these two sides and illustrated how competitive Afghanistan had now become.
2022: Afghanistan and Sri Lanka Produce Two Asia Cup Classics
Two of these remarkable moments in those meetings came from the 2022 Asia Cup between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.
Opening Contest: Afghanistan Defeats Sri Lanka by 8 Wickets
August 27: Afghanistan chased down Sri Lanka’s 105 runs in just 10.1 overs to win the game by eight wickets.
The victory was emphatic. The Sri Lankan batters had no answers for the Afghanistan bowling attack, as their openers made light work of the chase).
It was to mark one of Afghanistan’s most lopsided wins over any team in T20 cricket, let alone Sri Lanka.
2nd T20I: Sri Lanka Come Back
The sides had also faced off in the Super Four stage, with that clash coming back on September 3.
Sri Lanka 179/6 (20 overs); Afghanistan 175/6.
That allowed Sri Lanka to scrape victory by just four wickets, but was not as close a contest as their first match of the tournament.
The two matches displayed how the rivalry had shifted: Afghanistan might now be able to lay waste to Sri Lanka — but in turn, Sri Lanka still had an experience and depth within their ranks and a way to counter it.
2022 T20 World Cup: Sri Lanka Regain Control
The two teams clashed again at the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Brisbane.
Afghanistan put 144/8 on board in their 20 overs. Sri Lanka then chased down the target, scoring 148/4 in 18.3 overs.
Sri Lanka won by six wickets.
It was the enemy of Sri Lanka tenders’ most recent notable triumph, one more genuine representation in a long queue of surrounding proposals against Afghanistan.
2023: Afghanistan Win at the Asian Games
During the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, Afghanistan came up with another T20 win over Sri Lanka.
The total of Afghanistan was 116 all out and for Sri Lanka it was 108.
But Afghanistan managed to defend the low score by a meagre eight runs.
Afghanistan once again proved they can win low scoring games with disciplined bowling in the match.
2023: Afghanistan’s Historic ODI World Cup Victory
Yet another significant chapter began when India opened their 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Following are the results of matches played on October 30: Afghanistan won by seven wickets against Sri Lanka (in Pune).
After Sri Lanka put 241 on the table, Afghanistan reached their target of 242/3 with ease. It means Afghanistan secure another crucial ODI win over Sri Lanka and enhance their status as a genuine force in the tournament.
The win was all the more monumental as world-class teams were not finding it easy
2024: Afghanistan Tour Sri Lanka
One of the most congested times in the Afghanistan-Sri Lanka competition came in February 2024.
Afghanistan toured Sri Lanka for:
- One Test
- Three ODIs
- Three T20Is
The two nations were playing each other for the first time in a Test match. The Sri Lanka cricket annual report documents the full results and individual performances from this tour.
1st Test: Sri Lanka by 10 Wickets
This Test took place from February 2 to 5, 2024.
Afghanistan made 198 and 296 in their two innings. Sri Lanka replied with 439 and 56/0 to win the Test by 10 wickets.
The best of them was Prabath Jayasuriya, with figures of 3/67 and 5/107.
Sri Lanka,however, were clinical in dominant parts of the Test which was a significant landmark for Afghanistan. The move too took the rivalry beyond just limited-overs cricket.
2024 ODI Series: Sri Lanka Complete a 3-0 Sweep
The three-match ODI series saw even less competition.
First ODI – February 9, 2024
Sri Lanka had posted a mammoth 381/3, to which Afghanistan responded with 339/6.
Sri Lanka won by 42 runs.
2nd ODI — 11 February, 2024
Sri Lanka made 308/6 while dismissing Afghanistan for 153.
Sri Lanka won by 155 runs.
Third ODI – February 14, 2024
Scores: Afghanistan 266; Sri Lanka 267/3 in only half the overs with 88 balls remaining (S Sangakkara 108; M Nabi & A Zahir each took two wickets)
KEY HIGHLIGHTSSri Lanka clean sweeps ODI series 3-0 Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman shine on final day SL vs PAK scorecard: As it happenedSri Lanka vs Pakistan 2023: Full ScheduleIn a three-match ODI series between them, which concluded here Tuesday (October 3), Sri Lanka completed a 3-0 sweep over Pakistan.
ODI Series Statistics
| Statistic | Afghanistan | Sri Lanka |
| Series wins | 0 | 1 |
| Matches | 3 | 3 |
| Matches won | 0 | 3 |
| Highest score | 339/6 | 381/3 |
| Series result | Lost 0-3 | Won 3-0 |
In fact, player of the series Pathum Nissanka racked up 346 runs while Matheesha Pathirana bagged 8 scalps.
2024 T20I Series: Afghanistan Win the Final Match
The T20I series was a lot more tight.
In the 1st match, Sri Lanka defended a score of 160 and beat Afghanistan by 4 runs after they were dismissed for 156/9.
Sri Lanka 187/6 (Dhananjaya de Silva 66; Mohammad Nabi 2/22) beat Afghanistan 115 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 51; Dushmantha Chameera 5-54, Wanindu Hasaranga 4-23) by 72 runs second T20I
The third match saw Afghanistan responding.
The total was 209/5, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz top-scoring with a blistering knock of 70 off just 43 deliveries. Sri Lanka came back well to respond with 206/6, but Afghanistan kept their composure and won by just 3 runs.
That meant Sri Lanka won the series 2-1 but Afghanistan ended with a victory to remember.
In a series where Wanindu Hasaranga finished as the top Sri Lankan run-scorer with 102 runs, Rahmanullah Gurbaz was among the foremost for Afghanistan
2025: Sri Lanka Win the Latest Completed T20I
They last played a T20I match on September 18, 2025 in Abu Dhabi.
Afghanistan – 169/8 ( 20Overs ) Sri Lanka – 171/4 (18.5 Overs )
Sri Lanka won by six wickets.
This currently marks the most recently finished T20I fixture between the two nations in the historical head-to-head records.
2026: Planned Series Postponed
Another key chapter was set in 2026.
Afghanistan were scheduled to play Sri Lanka in a three-match T20I and three-match ODI series at the UAE. The T20Is were set to take place in Sharjah, while the ODIs across Dubai.
It would have been Afghanistan’s first bilateral series against Sri Lanka at the ICC said in February 2026.
The October release would precede a planned March 2026 series, which was pushed back. As a result, those matches were voided as finished games regarding the present record head-to-head.
This difference for anyone researching the Afghanistan national cricket team vs Sri Lanka national cricket team timeline is a key distinction.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Head-to-Head ODI Stats
Afghanistan and Sri Lanka share the record for most ODIs played (15).
Sri Lanka have got 10, whereas Afghanistan have got themselves PSL titles ‘ 4. There was one abandoned match.
ODI Head-to-Head
| Category | Afghanistan | Sri Lanka |
| Matches | 15 | 15 |
| Wins | 4 | 10 |
| Losses | 10 | 4 |
| No Result | 1 | 1 |
| Highest team score | 339 | 381 |
Therefore Sri Lanka have an outright advantage in ODIs based on their history.
But Afghanistan’s four victories do include milestone tournament wins including their 91-run Asia Cup triumph in 2018 and seven-wicket World Cup victory in 2023.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka T20I Head-to-Head Stats
T20I: 11-06 (Sri Lanka lead the series)
9 T20Is have been played between the two sides, with Sri Lanka winning 6 and Afghanistan winning 3 in fights.
T20I Head-to-Head
| Category | Afghanistan | Sri Lanka |
| Matches | 9 | 9 |
| Wins | 3 | 6 |
| Losses | 6 | 3 |
| No Result | 0 | 0 |
| Highest score | 209/5 | 206/6 |
Afghanistan’s highest score vs Sri Lanka is 209/5 (third T20I, Dambulla, February 2024). Sri Lanka’s top score is 206/6, from the very same game
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Test Head-to-Head
The Test rivalry is also in its infancy.
They faced each other for the 1st time in a Test match in February 2024.
That match ended with a 10 wickets win for Sri Lanka, thus making the Test head-to-head in favour of Sri Lanka by 1-0.
In contrast to the ODI and T20I rivalry between these sides, a lengthy Test history has not yet been established between them.
Biggest Wins in Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka History
Some of the most significant victories include:
Sri Lanka’s Biggest ODI Win
First ODI encounter: Sri Lanka won by 129 runs in the 2014 Asia Cup.
Afghanistan’s Biggest ODI Win
Match 4: Afghanistan beat Sri Lanka by 91 runs (28 September, 2018 ) At Abu Dhabi ODI victory for Afghanistan against Sri Lanka, first time.
Sri Lanka’s Biggest T20I Win
Sri Lanka won the 2024 undecided second T20I against World Cup losers Afghanistan by 72 runs.
Afghanistan’s Notable T20I Win
In the 2022 Asia Cup match, Afghanistan registered an 8-wicket victory over Sri Lanka while bowling them out for just 105.
Sri Lanka’s Test Win
The teams are contesting their first Test; Sri Lanka took the lead in February 2024 with a win by 10 wickets.
How the Rivalry Has Changed
The rivalry between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka has changed a lot since 2014.
Sri Lanka then showcased its experience and quality to move 2-0 up in the first few encounters. Afghanistan were a developing international side.
Afghanistan, who by 2018 had a world-class-spin attack and more batting depth. A huge statement to make was their Asia Cup 91-run victory.
The 2019 World Cup, however, proved that Sri Lanka were still able to handle Afghanistan in a tense game. However, the results of 2022 and 2023 showed that Afghanistan had matured into a team that could beat Sri Lanka on various conditions and formats.
A fuller picture came with the tour of 2024. Sri Lanka were comfortable winners in the Test and ODI series but had to fight for it in the T20Is, winning that Battle 2-1.
Sri Lanka, who have a far better overall head-to-head record against Afghanistan as well as being more historically successful in the format, come up against an inspired outfit who time and again harsh out big tournament shocks.
Key Players in the Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Timeline
Many players have been critical pieces in this rivalry.
Kumar Sangakkara
In the first ODI encounter in 2014, Sangakkara was Player of the Match scoring 76.
Rahmat Shah
At the core of Afghanistan’s unprecedented win in ODIs – during 2018 – was Rahmat Shah who scored a brilliant 72 as the team posted a score of 249.
Kusal Perera
78 (126 balls) — Kusal Perera, Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, 2019 World Cup
Nuwan Pradeep
Player of the Match in the 2019 World Cup game with figures of 4/31 – Pradeep
Pathum Nissanka
The star of Sri Lanka’s 2024 ODI series was Nissanka. He scored 346 runs to finish the series and was named Player of the Series.
Wanindu Hasaranga
Hasaranga, who top-scored for Sri Lanka with 102 runs in the T20Is against England in 2024 and took four wickets.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
The third game of the series was later one of Afghanistan’s best T20I performances, with Gurbaz making 70 off just 43 balls in a three-run victory.
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Summary: Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Timeline
The History of the Afghanistan national cricket team vs Sri Lanka national cricket team has gone from being a one sided battle to a closer contest and Asian rival now with an interesting timeline.
Sri Lanka still has a better balance of overall record. As of the last completed games before October 2023, they lead Afghanistan in ODIs 10-4, T20Is 6-3 and Tests by 1-0.
However, these numbers do not tell the full story.
Many of Afghanistan’s successes have been in international tournaments. From completing Sri Lanka’s run of perfect ODIs over them in the 2018 Asia Cup to demonstrating their pink-ball potency while winning the T20s in two drafts of the 2022 Asia Cup, and finally showing just how well-oiled they had become with World Cup qualification through slaughtering showdowns against Sri Lanka for a third progressive time in yet another competition.
This was said to build on their long-standing rivalry, which through the 2024 tour added Test cricket and a full bilateral white-ball schedule. Sri Lanka swept the Test and ODI stages, while Afghanistan picked up victory in the final T20I.
The 2026 series in the UAE would have fittingly added another significant chapter, however, its deferral means the next confirmed encounter is still a while away.
However, it must not be overlooked that on the whole Sri Lanka is still the stand-by to take him down but Afghanistan are no longer an up-and-coming side that can be ignored. With the step-up in their white-ball cricket, now every Afghanistan-Sri Lanka affair is popcorn time especially during major ICC and Asian tournaments.
Faqs
1. Afghanistan and Sri Lanka have first played in an ODI on [date]?
Sri Lanka and Afghanistan played their first ODI match against each other in the Asia Cup of 2014, where Sri Lanka won by 129 runs.
2. Afghanistan v Sri Lanka Head to Head Details Winners?
Sri Lanka have a marginally better overall head-to-head record against Afghanistan, having built an advantage in both ODIs and T20Is.
3. Biggest ODI win for Afghanistan over Sri Lanka?
Afghanistan’s largest victory in ODIs was a 91-run win over Sri Lanka in the 2018 Asia Cup.
4. When is Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka first Test Play Time?
They played their first Test in February 2024 against Sri Lanka at Colombo, winning that match by 10 wickets.
5. What was the last Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka match played?
The most recently concluded fixture was a T20I, which Sri Lanka won by six wickets in September 2025.
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