Introduction – Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team and the South Africa National Cricket Team have shared the cricketing stage only a handful of times, but their encounters carry growing importance in world cricket. Afghanistan, a team that has risen rapidly over the last decade, continues to challenge established giants, while South Africa, a seasoned powerhouse, often tests their resilience. The Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline reflects the journey of an emerging side battling against one of the sport’s most competitive teams, creating moments that fans remember for their intensity and unpredictability.
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Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline
Below is the detailed timeline of matches played between Afghanistan and South Africa across all available formats (ODIs and T20Is as of 2025). No Test matches have been played yet.
| Date | Format | Venue | Winner | Result | Top Performer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05 May 2010 | T20I | Kensington Oval, Barbados | South Africa | Won by 59 runs | Morne Morkel 4/20 |
| 15 June 2019 | ODI | 2019 World Cup | South Africa | Won by 9 wickets | Imran Tahir 4 wickets |
| 10 Nov 2023 | ODI | Ahmedabad, India | South Africa | Won by 5 wickets | Rassie van der Dussen 76 |
| 18 Sep 2024 | ODI | Sharjah (1st ODI) | Afghanistan | Won by 6 wickets | Rahmanullah Gurbaz 65 |
| 20 Sep 2024 | ODI | Sharjah (2nd ODI) | Afghanistan | Won by 177 runs | Rahmanullah Gurbaz 105; Rashid Khan 5/19 |
| 22 Sep 2024 | ODI | Sharjah (3rd ODI) | South Africa | Won by 7 wickets | Aiden Markram 69* |
| Jun 2024 | T20I | T20 World Cup Semi-final | South Africa | Won by 9 wickets | South Africa bowlers dominated (Afghanistan 56 all out) |
| Feb 2025 | ODI | Champions Trophy, Karachi | South Africa | Won by 5 wickets | Quinton de Kock 80 |
Highlights and Turning Points
- 2010 T20I: South Africa dominated the debut clash with strong bowling from Morne Morkel.
- 2019 & 2023 World Cups: South Africa showcased their tournament consistency.
- 2024 Sharjah Series: Afghanistan’s historic bilateral ODI series win (2–1) marked a turning point.
- 2024 T20 World Cup Semi-final: Afghanistan was bowled out for 56, South Africa won comfortably.
- 2025 Champions Trophy: South Africa retained the edge with disciplined batting and bowling.
Key Players & Performances
Afghanistan Standouts
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz: Scored a brilliant century in the 2nd ODI of the 2024 Sharjah series, leading Afghanistan to a record win.
- Rashid Khan: Claimed a match-winning 5/19 in the same series, highlighting his dominance with the ball.
- Azmatullah Omarzai and Rahmatullah Gurbaz have also contributed significantly with steady performances.
South Africa Stars
- Rassie van der Dussen: Consistently scored in key matches, including a match-winning 76 in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
- Aiden Markram: Anchored the chase in the third ODI of the Sharjah series with a calm unbeaten 69.
- Lungi Ngidi: Regularly among the top wicket-takers against Afghanistan, providing crucial breakthroughs.
Head-to-Head Stats
Here are the cumulative head-to-head statistics between Afghanistan and South Africa as of 2025:
- Total ODIs: 6
- South Africa won: 4
- Afghanistan won: 2
- Win percentage: South Africa 66.7%, Afghanistan 33.3%
- Total T20Is: 3
- South Africa won: 3
- Afghanistan won: 0
- Win percentage: South Africa 100%, Afghanistan 0%
- Tests: No Test matches played to date.
Memorable Moments
- 2010 T20I Debut Match: South Africa’s dominance with Morne Morkel’s 4/20.
- 2019 ODI World Cup: South Africa’s comfortable 9-wicket win established early dominance.
- 2024 Sharjah Series: Afghanistan’s first bilateral series victory, highlighted by a century from Rahmanullah Gurbaz and a five-wicket haul by Rashid Khan.
- 2024 T20 World Cup Semi-final: A low-scoring thriller where Afghanistan was bundled out for 56, marking one of their toughest tournament exits.
- 2025 Champions Trophy: Marked as another close encounter with South Africa retaining the upper hand.
Conclusion
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline reflects a story of growth, competition, and evolving cricketing dynamics. While South Africa has historically held the upper hand, Afghanistan’s rise, especially their breakthrough in the 2024 bilateral ODI series, suggests a rivalry that will only become more intense. Moving forward, fans can expect more competitive fixtures, possibly including their first-ever Test match in the near future. The contests between these two teams are no longer one-sided—they are shaping up to be fixtures cricket fans eagerly await.
