Afghanistan have come a long way in international cricket, becoming one of the most exciting teams to watch in T20Is. They have world-class players like Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and have pulled off many memorable wins. But even top teams have tough days, and Afghanistan is no exception.
In this article, we look at the top 5 lowest scores by Afghanistan in T20I cricket, what went wrong in those matches, and why these games are lessons for the future.
Afghanistan Lowest Scores in T20Is
| Score | Opponent | Venue | Date | Match Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56 all out | South Africa | Tarouba | 26 June 2024 | Lost by 9 wickets (T20 WC Semi-final) |
| 66 all out | Pakistan | Sharjah | 7 September 2025 | Lost by 75 runs (Tri-Series Final) |
| 72 all out | Bangladesh | Mirpur | 16 March 2014 | Lost by 9 wickets (T20 WC Group Match) |
| 80 all out | England | Colombo | 21 September 2012 | Lost by 116 runs (T20 WC Group Match) |
| 80 all out | South Africa | Bridgetown | 5 May 2010 | Lost by 59 runs (T20 WC Group Match) |
1. 56 all out vs South Africa – T20 World Cup 2024 Semi-Final
This was Afghanistan’s biggest match in history – their first-ever T20 World Cup semi-final. Unfortunately, their batting crumbled against South Africa’s fiery pace attack.
Marco Jansen, Rabada, and Nortje ripped through the top order, while Tabraiz Shamsi cleaned up the tail. Afghanistan were all out in just 11.5 overs, and South Africa chased down the target in under 9 overs.
2. 66 all out vs Pakistan – UAE Tri-Series Final 2025
This was their most recent collapse and came in a final. Chasing 142, Afghanistan were well placed after the powerplay but lost 7 wickets for just 20 runs. Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz was the star, taking 5/19, including a rare hat-trick that included Ibrahim Zadran and Azmatullah Omarzai.
3. 72 all out vs Bangladesh – T20 World Cup 2014
In their first game of the 2014 World Cup, Afghanistan were rattled by Bangladesh’s spinners. Shakib Al Hasan and Abdur Razzak spun a web, taking crucial wickets and bowling them out inside 18 overs.
4. 80 all out vs England – T20 World Cup 2012
Chasing a massive 197, Afghanistan were under pressure right from the start. England’s bowlers struck regularly, and wickets kept tumbling. The match ended in a big 116-run defeat.
5. 80 all out vs South Africa – T20 World Cup 2010
On their T20 World Cup debut, Afghanistan faced one of the strongest South African pace attacks. At one stage, they were 14/6, but a few lower-order runs helped them reach 80.
Cricket is a game of ups and downs, and these low scores are part of Afghanistan’s learning curve. With stars like Rashid Khan, Gurbaz, and Nabi, they have the talent to bounce back stronger. The upcoming Asia Cup 2025 will be a perfect chance for Afghanistan to prove that they can overcome pressure and deliver when it matters the most.
