The Afghanistan cricket team has faced some challenging moments in T20 Internationals, particularly with low team totals that highlight batting collapses under pressure. Their record for the lowest scores in T20Is reveals a series of difficult innings. Here are some top 5 lowest totals of Afghanistan in T20Is:
5 lowest totals of Afghanistan in T20Is
- 56 all out vs South Africa, Tarouba, 2024: In the first semi-final of the 2024 T20 World Cup at Tarouba, Afghanistan was bowled out for just 56 runs in 11.5 overs against South Africa, marking their lowest-ever score in T20 Internationals. This total was also the lowest in the history of T20 World Cup knockout matches. The South African pace attack, led by Marco Jansen who took 3 wickets for 16 runs, along with Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Tabraiz Shamsi, dominated the Afghan batting lineup. Azmatullah Omarzai was the only Afghan batsman to reach double figures, scoring 10 runs. Afghanistan’s collapse saw wickets falling rapidly, with the team losing all 10 wickets for 56 runs. South Africa chased down the target comfortably in 8.5 overs with nine wickets in hand, securing their first-ever T20 World Cup final appearance.
- 66 all out vs Pakistan, UAE T20I Tri-Series Final, 2025: On September 7, 2025, in the final of the T20I tri-series at Sharjah, Afghanistan was bowled out for a very low total of just 66 runs against Pakistan. Pakistan had set a modest target of 142 runs, but Afghanistan’s batting lineup collapsed dramatically. Mohammad Nawaz was the star for Pakistan, taking a five-wicket haul including a rare hat-trick that dismantled Afghanistan’s middle order. Afghanistan lost early wickets, including ducks for several batsmen, and Najibullah Zadran and others failed to build partnerships. Nawaz’s bowling exploited the turn on the Sharjah pitch perfectly, leaving Afghanistan clueless. This 66 all-out is Afghanistan’s second-lowest T20I score and the lowest all-out total by any team in a tournament final in T20Is. Pakistan won the match convincingly by 75 runs. Nawaz was named both player of the match and series for his outstanding all-round performance.
- 72 all out vs Bangladesh at Mirpur, March 16, 2014: On March 16, 2014, in a T20 International match at Mirpur during the ICC World T20, Afghanistan was bowled out for a very low total of 72 runs against Bangladesh. Afghanistan’s innings started with aggressive yet hurried batting, with Mohammad Shahzad getting out on the very first ball after attempting an ambitious scoop shot. Gulbadin Naib, promoted to number three, tried to counterattack but his hurried approach led to a quick collapse triggered by effective spin bowling from Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan, who took 3 wickets for just 8 runs, and Abdur Razzak, who took 2 wickets. Afghanistan’s batting lacked stability, run-outs and falling catches added to their woes, leading to their all-out score in 17.1 overs. In response, Bangladesh chased down the target comfortably with the loss of just one wicket in 12 overs.
- 80 all out vs South Africa at Bridgetown, May 5, 2010: On May 5, 2010, during the ICC World Twenty20 tournament at Bridgetown, Afghanistan suffered a heavy defeat against South Africa after being dismissed for just 80 runs in their innings. South Africa posted a total of 139 for 7, with notable batting contributions from Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smith. Afghanistan’s batting lineup struggled immensely to cope with the pace and bounce of South African bowlers, particularly Morne Morkel and Charl Langeveldt, who took key wickets. Morkel took 4 wickets for 20 runs, and Langeveldt took 3 wickets for 12 runs, dismantling Afghanistan’s middle and lower order swiftly.
Afghanistan was bowled out in only 16 overs, with the top and middle order collapsing under pressure. Their highest scorer was Mirwais Ashraf with 23 runs, who also provided some entertainment with a big six, while Hamid Hassan contributed a quick 22 runs toward the end. Six out of Afghanistan’s ten wickets fell caught behind the wicket, reflecting how challenging the South African bowling was to face.
- 80 all out vs England, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2012: On September 21, 2012, during the ICC World Twenty20 group A match at Colombo, Afghanistan suffered a heavy defeat against England after being bowled out for just 80 runs in 17.2 overs. England had set a daunting target of 197 runs, powered by Luke Wright’s career-best unbeaten 99 off 55 balls, alongside strong contributions from Alex Hales and Eoin Morgan. The only resistance came from Gulbodin Naib, who scored a fighting 44. However, his effort was not enough to avoid the team’s lowest T20 international total against England. Afghanistan’s innings ended with them 116 runs short, leading to their exit from the tournament while England progressed confidently to the Super Eights of the World T20.
These low totals include some difficult matches for Afghanistan, including historic matches like the 2024 World Cup semi-final where they were bowled out for just 56, the lowest total in T20 World Cup semi-final history.
