Afghanistan and Ireland have developed one of the most competitive rivalries among the newer Full Member nations in One Day International cricket. Both teams became ICC Full Members in 2017, and they have faced each other regularly across bilateral series and international tournaments. Afghanistan vs ireland head to head in odi
The rivalry has become increasingly one-sided in recent years, with Afghanistan establishing a clear advantage. As of 15 August 2026, Afghanistan and Ireland have played 36 ODIs. Afghanistan have won 22 matches, Ireland have won 13, and one match ended without a result. There has been no tied ODI between the sides.
Afghanistan vs Ireland ODI Head-to-Head Record
| Category | Afghanistan | Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| ODI Matches | 36 | 36 |
| Wins | 22 | 13 |
| Losses | 13 | 22 |
| No Result | 1 | 1 |
| Ties | 0 | 0 |
| Overall Leader | Afghanistan | — |
Afghanistan’s 22 victories give them a substantial advantage in the overall ODI rivalry. Ireland have still produced several memorable wins, but Afghanistan have been particularly dominant in recent years. Afghanistan vs ireland head to head in odi
First ODI Meeting Between Afghanistan and Ireland
Afghanistan and Ireland first met in an ODI on 3 July 2010 in Rotterdam. At that stage, both sides were developing their international cricket programs, with Ireland already having significant experience as an Associate nation and Afghanistan rapidly emerging as a major force.
The early encounters were competitive and helped establish a rivalry that has continued for more than 16 years.
The two teams have since played each other in Ireland, Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates and neutral venues, producing a wide variety of matches and conditions.
Afghanistan’s Dominance in Recent ODIs
The most notable feature of this rivalry is Afghanistan’s dominance in recent years.
Before the 2026 series, Cricket Ireland noted that Afghanistan had won the previous five ODI meetings between the teams.
That advantage became even greater during Afghanistan’s 2026 tour of Ireland.
Afghanistan and Ireland were scheduled to play a five-match ODI series in August 2026. The first match was abandoned, while Afghanistan won the remaining four matches to complete a 4-0 series victory.
This series significantly strengthened Afghanistan’s overall head-to-head advantage.
Afghanistan vs Ireland ODI Series 2026
The 2026 series was particularly important because it was played in Ireland, where the home side would normally expect favorable conditions.
1st ODI – Match Abandoned
The opening ODI on 5 August 2026 was abandoned without a result. As a result, neither team received a win from the match.
2nd ODI – Afghanistan won by 92 runs
Afghanistan produced a strong performance in the second ODI on 7 August.
Afghanistan scored 299/8, setting Ireland a challenging target. Ireland were dismissed for 207, giving Afghanistan a convincing 92-run victory.
3rd ODI – Afghanistan won by 3 wickets
Ireland responded with a score of 206 in the third ODI on 10 August.
Afghanistan successfully chased the target, reaching 207/7 to win by three wickets. The result gave Afghanistan an unassailable lead in the series.
4th ODI – Afghanistan won by 42 runs
The fourth ODI produced another strong Afghanistan performance.
Afghanistan scored 343/9, their highest team total in this head-to-head rivalry. Ireland responded with 301 all out, meaning Afghanistan won by 42 runs.
5th ODI – Afghanistan won by 6 wickets
In the final ODI, Ireland posted 298/7.
Afghanistan successfully chased the target and won by six wickets, completing a 4-0 series victory after the first match had been abandoned.
The series demonstrated Afghanistan’s superiority in both batting and bowling and gave them another important away-series success.
Highest ODI Team Scores
The Afghanistan-Ireland rivalry has produced some impressive batting performances.
Afghanistan’s highest team total is 343/9, scored during the 2026 series at Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast. Ireland’s highest total in the rivalry is 304.
Afghanistan’s ability to score heavily has been one of the reasons for their success. Their batting lineup has increasingly combined aggressive stroke-makers with technically sound players.
Ireland have also demonstrated that they can post competitive totals, particularly when their top order gets established.
Afghanistan’s Highest Individual Score
One of the standout individual performances in the rivalry came from Rahmat Shah.
Rahmat Shah scored an unbeaten 143 against Ireland during the 2026 ODI series in Belfast. It is listed as the highest individual innings in Afghanistan-Ireland ODI history.
Rahmat has been an important figure in Afghanistan’s ODI batting for many years. His ability to build long innings has provided stability alongside Afghanistan’s more aggressive batters.
Ireland’s Highest Individual Score
Ireland’s highest individual score against Afghanistan is 160, scored by Ed Joyce at Stormont in July 2016.
That innings remains one of the most memorable performances by an Irish batter against Afghanistan. Ireland won that match by 12 runs, making Joyce’s century particularly valuable.
Ed Joyce was one of Ireland’s most accomplished international batters and played an important role in Ireland’s development as a competitive ODI side.
Leading Batters in the Rivalry
Several high-quality batters have enjoyed success in Afghanistan-Ireland ODIs.
For Afghanistan, Rahmat Shah has been one of the most consistent performers. He has produced multiple centuries against Ireland and remains one of Afghanistan’s most reliable ODI batters.
Paul Stirling has been Ireland’s most important batting presence in many matches against Afghanistan. His aggressive approach at the top of the order has frequently given Ireland fast starts.
Other notable players include Andy Balbirnie, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ed Joyce.
Gurbaz has also produced important innings against Ireland. In Afghanistan’s 2024 ODI victory, he scored 121 from 117 balls, helping Afghanistan post 310/5 and defeat Ireland by 35 runs.
Important Bowling Performances
Bowling has been another major factor in Afghanistan’s dominance.
Afghanistan have been able to call upon world-class spinners such as Rashid Khan, along with talented bowlers including Mohammad Nabi and other members of their spin attack.
Their bowling combination can be particularly dangerous when pitches provide assistance to spin.
Ireland, meanwhile, have traditionally relied on seamers and experienced all-rounders. Players such as Mark Adair and Andy McBrine have played important roles in the team’s ODI bowling attack.
Afghanistan’s greater variety in bowling has often given them an advantage in the middle overs.
Afghanistan vs Ireland ODI Record in 2024
Afghanistan won both completed ODIs during their 2024 series in the UAE.
In the first ODI on 7 March, Afghanistan scored 310/5 and defeated Ireland by 35 runs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 121 was the standout performance.
The second ODI was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
In the third ODI on 12 March, Afghanistan scored 236/9 before dismissing Ireland for just 119. Afghanistan won by a huge 117-run margin. Mohammad Nabi was named Player of the Match, while Gurbaz was named Player of the Series.
These results showed Afghanistan’s growing superiority before the even more dominant 2026 series.
Home and Neutral Conditions
The rivalry has been played in several different countries.
Afghanistan have benefited from playing in the UAE, where they have traditionally been comfortable with slow pitches that can assist spin bowling.
Ireland have also enjoyed home victories, particularly at Stormont and other Irish grounds.
Interestingly, Afghanistan’s 2026 success came in Ireland, making the 4-0 series victory even more impressive. Their ability to win consistently away from home demonstrates how much the team has developed in ODI cricket.
Why Afghanistan Have the Edge
There are several reasons for Afghanistan’s advantage.
1. Strong spin bowling: Afghanistan have developed one of the most dangerous spin attacks in international cricket.
2. Powerful top order: Players such as Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah can combine aggression and consistency.
3. Match-winning all-rounders: Afghanistan have benefited from players capable of contributing with both bat and ball.
4. Recent consistency: Afghanistan have regularly defeated Ireland in ODI cricket, including the 2024 and 2026 series.
5. Big-match experience: Afghanistan’s progress in ICC tournaments has given their players valuable experience against high-quality opposition.
Ireland remain competitive, but Afghanistan have been more consistent over the long term.
Afghanistan vs Ireland: Who Has the Better ODI Record?
Based on the latest available statistics, Afghanistan clearly have the better ODI head-to-head record.
They have won 22 of 36 matches, while Ireland have won 13. One match has ended without a result.
The 2026 series further increased Afghanistan’s advantage after they won four matches and had one match abandoned.
Ireland’s 13 victories should not be overlooked, however. They have produced some outstanding individual performances, including Ed Joyce’s 160 in 2016, and have shown on several occasions that they can challenge Afghanistan.
Conclusion
The Afghanistan vs Ireland head-to-head record in ODI cricket strongly favors Afghanistan. As of August 2026, the teams have played 36 ODIs, with Afghanistan winning 22, Ireland winning 13, and one match ending without a result.
Afghanistan’s dominance has become particularly noticeable in recent years. They won both completed ODIs in the 2024 series and then followed that with a dominant 4-0 series victory in Ireland in 2026.
The rivalry nevertheless remains important for both teams. Ireland have talented batters and experienced players who can change a match, while Afghanistan possess a world-class spin attack and increasingly powerful batting lineup.
With both nations continuing to develop, future Afghanistan-Ireland ODI matches should provide more exciting contests and individual records.
5 Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many ODIs have Afghanistan and Ireland played?
Afghanistan and Ireland have played 36 ODIs as of 15 August 2026. Afghanistan have won 22, Ireland have won 13 and one match ended without a result.
2. Who has won more ODIs between Afghanistan and Ireland?
Afghanistan have won more ODIs. They have 22 victories compared with Ireland’s 13.
3. What is Afghanistan’s highest ODI score against Ireland?
Afghanistan’s highest ODI total against Ireland is 343/9, scored in Belfast during the 2026 series.
4. Who has scored the highest individual score in Afghanistan vs Ireland ODIs?
Rahmat Shah holds the highest individual score in the fixture with an unbeaten 143. Ireland’s highest is Ed Joyce’s 160, which was scored in 2016.
5. Who won the latest Afghanistan vs Ireland ODI series?
Afghanistan won the latest series 4-0 in August 2026. The opening ODI was abandoned, while Afghanistan won each of the remaining four matches.