Table of Contents
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline have developed an intriguing international rivalry across ODI, T20I and Test cricket. Their meetings have featured competitive contests, major tournament clashes and memorable individual performances. Afghanistan’s rapid rise in international cricket has added a new dimension to encounters with the experienced West Indies side.
Their rivalry has produced several important moments, including Afghanistan’s victory over West Indies at the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 and a decisive West Indies win at the 2024 T20 World Cup. The teams also played their first Test against each other in 2019, while their rivalry continued with a three-match T20I series in the UAE in January 2026.
This timeline explores the major matches, tournament meetings, historic encounters and turning points that have shaped the cricketing relationship between Afghanistan and West Indies.
Rivalry Overview
The rivalry is relatively young compared with many traditional international cricket contests, but it has produced several memorable matches.
West Indies entered the rivalry as an established Test-playing nation and two-time T20 World Cup champion, while Afghanistan rapidly developed into one of the strongest emerging sides in international cricket.
The most important early moment came in Nagpur in 2016. Afghanistan scored 123/7 and restricted West Indies to 117/8, winning by six runs.
Overall Timeline at a Glance
| Year | Format/Event | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | T20 World Cup | Nagpur | Afghanistan won by 6 runs |
| 2017 | T20I Series | St Kitts | West Indies won 3-0 |
| 2017 | ODI Series | St Lucia | Series drawn 1-1, one NR |
| 2018 | World Cup Qualifier | Harare | Afghanistan won key matches |
| 2019 | ODI Series | Lucknow | West Indies won 3-0 |
| 2019 | T20I Series | Lucknow | Afghanistan won 2-1 |
| 2019 | Test | Lucknow | West Indies won by 9 wickets |
| 2021 | T20 World Cup Warm-up | UAE | Afghanistan won by 56 runs |
| 2024 | T20 World Cup | St Lucia | West Indies won by 104 runs |
| 2026 | T20I Series | UAE | Afghanistan won 2-1 |
The 2026 series was particularly significant because Afghanistan won the first two matches before West Indies avoided a clean sweep in the third.
First Official Match
The first official international meeting between Afghanistan and West Indies took place on 27 March 2016 during the ICC World Twenty20 in Nagpur.
Afghanistan made 123/7 after being asked to bat first. Najibullah Zadran played the decisive innings with 48 from 40 balls. West Indies reached 117/8 in reply, giving Afghanistan a famous six-run victory.
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | 27 March 2016 |
| Tournament | ICC World Twenty20 |
| Venue | Nagpur |
| Afghanistan | 123/7 |
| West Indies | 117/8 |
| Winner | Afghanistan |
| Margin | 6 runs |
| Player of the Match | Najibullah Zadran |
| Format | T20I |
This victory was especially notable because West Indies went on to win the tournament. ICC later described the result as one of Afghanistan’s crucial victories in its cricketing development.
Timeline of Major Matches
| Year | Match | Result | Importance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | T20 World Cup | Afghanistan won by 6 runs | First official international meeting |
| 2017 | 1st T20I | West Indies won by 6 wickets | West Indies began home series strongly |
| 2017 | 2nd T20I | West Indies won by 29 runs | Rain-affected match |
| 2017 | 3rd T20I | West Indies won by 7 wickets | Series sweep |
| 2017 | 1st ODI | Afghanistan won by 63 runs | Major ODI breakthrough |
| 2017 | 2nd ODI | West Indies won by 4 wickets | Series levelled |
| 2017 | 3rd ODI | No result | Series finished 1-1 |
| 2018 | World Cup Qualifier | Afghanistan won by 3 wickets | Important qualification-stage victory |
| 2019 | ODI Series | West Indies won 3-0 | West Indies dominated |
| 2019 | T20I Series | Afghanistan won 2-1 | Afghanistan responded strongly |
| 2019 | Test | West Indies won by 9 wickets | First Test between the teams |
| 2021 | T20 World Cup Warm-up | Afghanistan won by 56 runs | Strong tournament preparation |
| 2024 | T20 World Cup | West Indies won by 104 runs | One of WI’s biggest wins in the rivalry |
| 2026 | T20I Series | Afghanistan won 2-1 | Afghanistan won another bilateral series |
Historic Test Matches
The Test rivalry has only one completed match so far.
Afghanistan and West Indies played their first Test against each other in November 2019 at Lucknow. It was also an important milestone for Afghanistan’s Test development.
| Date | Venue | Afghanistan | West Indies | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Nov 2019 | Lucknow | 187 & 120 | 277 & 33/1 | West Indies won by 9 wickets |
West Indies controlled the match after taking a substantial first-innings lead. Their bowlers then completed the job in Afghanistan’s second innings before the chase was finished with minimal loss.
This remains the only official Test meeting between the two sides.
Historic ODI Matches
The ODI rivalry became more competitive during the 2017 series in the Caribbean. Afghanistan won the opening match by 63 runs, West Indies responded in the second, and the third match ended without a result.
Important ODI Results
| Date | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Jun 2017 | Gros Islet | Afghanistan won by 63 runs |
| 12 Jun 2017 | Gros Islet | West Indies won by 4 wickets |
| 15 Jun 2017 | Gros Islet | No result |
| 15 Mar 2018 | Harare | Afghanistan won by 3 wickets |
| 25 Mar 2018 | Harare | Afghanistan won by 7 wickets |
| 4 Jul 2019 | Leeds | West Indies won by 23 runs |
| 6 Nov 2019 | Lucknow | West Indies won by 7 wickets |
| 9 Nov 2019 | Lucknow | West Indies won by 47 runs |
| 11 Nov 2019 | Lucknow | West Indies won by 5 wickets |
Across the nine completed/recorded ODI meetings listed in current head-to-head records, West Indies have won five, Afghanistan three, with one no-result.
Historic T20I Matches
T20 cricket has produced the largest number of memorable Afghanistan-West Indies encounters.
| Year | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | World T20 | Afghanistan won by 6 runs |
| 2017 | 1st T20I | West Indies won by 6 wickets |
| 2017 | 2nd T20I | West Indies won by 29 runs |
| 2017 | 3rd T20I | West Indies won by 7 wickets |
| 2019 | 1st T20I | West Indies won by 30 runs |
| 2019 | 2nd T20I | Afghanistan won by 41 runs |
| 2019 | 3rd T20I | Afghanistan won by 29 runs |
| 2024 | T20 World Cup | West Indies won by 104 runs |
| 2026 | 1st T20I | Afghanistan won by 38 runs |
| 2026 | 2nd T20I | Afghanistan won by 39 runs |
| 2026 | 3rd T20I | West Indies won by 13 runs |
The 2026 series in the UAE finished 2-1 in Afghanistan’s favour.
ICC Tournament Meetings
Afghanistan and West Indies have crossed paths at several important ICC events.
| Year | ICC Event | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | ICC World Twenty20 | Afghanistan won by 6 runs |
| 2018 | ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier | Afghanistan won key meeting |
| 2019 | ICC Cricket World Cup | West Indies won by 23 runs |
| 2021 | T20 World Cup Warm-up | Afghanistan won by 56 runs |
| 2024 | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup | West Indies won by 104 runs |
The 2016 match remains the most iconic ICC meeting because Afghanistan defeated a West Indies side that eventually lifted the trophy.
The 2024 meeting was almost the opposite story. West Indies posted 218/5, while Afghanistan were bowled out for 114, producing a 104-run victory.
Memorable Rivalry Moments
Afghanistan’s six-run upset in 2016
The Nagpur victory immediately established Afghanistan as a team capable of defeating established international opponents.
West Indies’ 2017 T20I sweep
After losing to Afghanistan at the 2016 World T20, West Indies responded with three consecutive T20I victories in St Kitts.
Afghanistan’s 2017 ODI breakthrough
Afghanistan defeated West Indies by 63 runs in the first ODI at Gros Islet.
Afghanistan’s 2019 T20I comeback
West Indies won the opening T20I in Lucknow, but Afghanistan responded by winning the next two matches and taking the series 2-1.
West Indies’ 2024 T20 World Cup dominance
The 218/5 against Afghanistan remains one of the most commanding batting displays between the teams. West Indies won by 104 runs.
Afghanistan’s 2026 series victory
Afghanistan won the first two T20Is of the UAE series by 38 and 39 runs before West Indies won the third by 13 runs.
Greatest Individual Performances
| Player | Team | Performance | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Najibullah Zadran | Afghanistan | 48 off 40 | 2016 T20 World Cup |
| Mohammad Nabi | Afghanistan | 2/26 | 2016 T20 World Cup |
| Rashid Khan | Afghanistan | 2/26 | 2016 T20 World Cup |
| Evin Lewis | West Indies | Major T20I batting contributions | 2019 series |
| Marlon Samuels | West Indies | 146 runs in 2017 T20I series | 2017 series |
| Rashid Khan | Afghanistan | 10 ODI wickets in 2017 series | 2017 ODI series |
Najibullah’s 48 was particularly valuable because Afghanistan had only 123 runs on the board, making every run important in the six-run victory.
Record-Breaking Matches
| Record | Performance |
|---|---|
| Highest team score | West Indies 218/5 |
| Afghanistan’s highest listed T20I score | 189/4 |
| Biggest T20I win by West Indies | 104 runs |
| Biggest ODI win by Afghanistan | 63 runs |
| Biggest ODI win by West Indies | 47 runs |
| Narrowest famous T20I win | Afghanistan by 6 runs |
| First Test | West Indies won by 9 wickets |
Current T20I records list West Indies’ 218/5 as the highest score in the rivalry, while Afghanistan’s highest is 189/4.
Recent Encounters
The most recent bilateral series was the three-match T20I series in January 2026 in the UAE.
| Date | Match | Afghanistan | West Indies | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Jan 2026 | 1st T20I | 181/3 | 143/9 | Afghanistan won by 38 runs |
| 21 Jan 2026 | 2nd T20I | 189/4 | 150 | Afghanistan won by 39 runs |
| 22 Jan 2026 | 3rd T20I | 138/8 | 151/7 | West Indies won by 13 runs |
Afghanistan therefore won the series 2-1. The series was arranged as part of both teams’ preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
The third match was particularly close. Afghanistan scored 138/8, but West Indies chased successfully with 151/7 to prevent a series clean sweep.
Future Fixtures
As of August 2026, there is no confirmed upcoming Afghanistan-West Indies bilateral fixture listed in the sources reviewed after their January 2026 T20I series.
The two teams remain part of the international limited-overs landscape, but their next confirmed meetings will depend on future ICC tournament draws and bilateral scheduling.
The 2027 ODI World Cup is especially relevant to the wider rivalry. Afghanistan has already secured automatic qualification for the tournament, while West Indies will need to go through the qualification route.
| Period | Competition | Afghanistan | West Indies |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | International cricket | Active | Active |
| 2027 | ODI World Cup | Automatically qualified | Must qualify |
| Future | Bilateral series | To be confirmed | To be confirmed |
Final Thoughts
The Afghanistan-West Indies rivalry has grown rapidly from a single memorable T20I encounter into a multi-format international contest. Afghanistan’s six-run victory in the 2016 World Twenty20 created the rivalry’s defining early moment, while West Indies have responded with several dominant performances of their own.
The teams have now met in Tests, ODIs, T20Is and major ICC competitions. Afghanistan’s 2026 T20I series win also demonstrated how competitive the matchup has become.
Rather than being defined by one dominant side, the timeline shows a rivalry built around momentum shifts, emerging stars, powerful batting displays and high-quality spin bowling.
FAQs
1. When did Afghanistan and West Indies first play an official international match?
Their first official international meeting was the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 match in Nagpur. Afghanistan won by six runs.
2. Who won the first Afghanistan vs West Indies match?
Afghanistan won the first official international match by six runs after defending 123/7.
3. When did Afghanistan and West Indies play their first Test?
Their first Test was played in Lucknow in November 2019. West Indies won by nine wickets.
4. What is the biggest West Indies win against Afghanistan in T20Is?
West Indies defeated Afghanistan by 104 runs at the 2024 T20 World Cup after scoring 218/5.
5. Who won the latest Afghanistan vs West Indies T20I series?
Afghanistan won the January 2026 three-match T20I series 2-1.
