Cricket encounters between the Afghanistan national cricket team and the Zimbabwe national cricket team have evolved into highly competitive and entertaining affairs over recent years. Both teams have showcased dramatic batting, strategic bowling, and memorable individual performances across formats — Tests, One‑Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). From high‑scoring Test matches to commanding ODI victories and thrilling T20I contests, this complete article dives into those match scorecards and their significance.
📘 1. Historical Context & Rivalry Overview
Although Afghanistan’s journey in Test cricket is more recent compared to traditional Test nations, the rise of Afghan cricket has been meteoric. Zimbabwe, one of the established Test nations from the 1990s, has played a pivotal role in providing competitive platforms against rising teams like Afghanistan. These head‑to‑head meetings reflect both nations’ contrasting styles — Zimbabwe’s experience and determination versus Afghanistan’s fearless pace and spin attack.
Across formats, Afghanistan has frequently held the upper hand, especially in limited overs; however, Zimbabwe has had success in specific matchups, highlighted by occasional Test victories and competitive T20 performances. This shared history provides the foundation for highly anticipated bilateral series.
🧾 2. Test Match Scorecards
🏆 2025 Afghanistan Tour of Zimbabwe – Test Series
In the 2024‑25 season, Afghanistan toured Zimbabwe for a mix of Test matches that produced both a drawn Test and a decisive victory. Here are the complete scorecards:
📍 1st Test – Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan
📅 26–30 December 2024
📍 Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Match Summary:
The first Test of the series was a classic high‑scoring contest characterized by resilient batting from both sides, ultimately ending in a draw due to time constraints despite massive totals.
🧾 Full Scorecard
| Team | First Innings | Second Innings |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | 586 all out | 142/4 (declared) |
| Afghanistan | 699 all out | — |
- Zimbabwe’s big total of 586 featured crucial innings from senior batters, demonstrating their depth in the first innings.
- Afghanistan responded with an even bigger total of 699, anchored by match‑defining individual performances that swung momentum.
- Zimbabwe’s declaration in the second innings set some tension for time, but neither side could force an outright result.
- Result: Match drawn.
Key Performers:
- Hashmatullah Shahidi (AFG): Stellar batting anchor with an outstanding knock.
- Zimbabwe batters: Resistive partnership efforts helped post a big total.
- Overall: A high‑quality Test showcasing the batting depth of both teams.
📍 2nd Test – Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan
📅 2–6 January 2025
📍 Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Second Test Scorecard:
| Team | First Innings | Second Innings |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | 243 all out | 205 all out |
| Afghanistan | 157 all out | 363 all out |
- Afghanistan produced a strong second innings recovery to challenge Zimbabwe after initially struggling.
- In contrast, Zimbabwe’s batting line‑up faltered in the second innings under pressure.
- Afghanistan secured victory by 72 runs, consolidating their dominance in this series.
- Player of the Match: Rashid Khan, with impressive bowling figures.
Analysis:
This Test showcased Afghanistan’s deep bowling attack and resilient middle‑order batting, especially in crucial phases. The victory also marked a significant milestone in Afghanistan’s Test cricket ascent, demonstrating the team’s ability to win away from home.
⚡ Rare Zimbabwe Test Success (October 2025 Encounter)
Beyond the 2024‑25 series, Zimbabwe achieved a rare and emphatic Test victory against Afghanistan in October 2025 at the Harare Sports Club, capturing attention worldwide. In that match:
- Zimbabwe dismissed Afghanistan twice while posting competitive totals.
- Fast bowler Richard Ngarava was instrumental with a career‑best 5 for 37, dismantling the Afghan batting line‑up.
- Zimbabwe won the match by an innings and 73 runs — only their third innings victory in Test history, underlining a momentous achievement.
This victory was significant, showcasing Zimbabwe’s ability to dominate in favorable conditions and giving them confidence in future Test engagements.
🟡 3. One‑Day International (ODI) Scorecards
📍 Afghanistan Tour of Zimbabwe – ODI Series 2024
The ODI leg of the 2024 series featured commanding performances by Afghanistan’s batting and bowling, with Zimbabwe struggling to contain the visitors.
🟠 1st ODI — 17 December 2024
📍 Harare Sports Club
The first ODI was marred by rain interruptions and ended with no result. Afghanistan had reached 68/2 in 15 overs before the weather intervened, concluding a frustrating opening encounter for both sides.
🟡 2nd ODI — 19 December 2024
Match Summary:
Afghanistan posted a commanding total of 286/6 (50 overs), with disciplined batting throughout the innings. Zimbabwe found themselves outmatched, being dismissed for just 132 (27.3 overs).
- Afghanistan won by 154 runs, a dominating victory showcasing their depth in both batting and bowling.
- Player of the Match: Sediqullah Atal, for his all‑round performance and impactful contributions.
This match was a testament to the gulf in experience and skill that Afghanistan had developed in limited overs cricket.
🟡 3rd ODI — 21 December 2024
Full Scorecard Summary:
- Zimbabwe: 218 all out (48.2 overs)
- Afghanistan: 219/5 (47 overs)
Afghanistan chased down the target comfortably to clinch the series with a 5‑wicket win. Player of the Match honors went to Hashmatullah Shahidi for his valuable contribution under pressure.
Series Outcome: Afghanistan swept the ODI series 2‑0, with one match abandoned due to weather.
🔥 4. Twenty20 International (T20I) Match Scorecards
T20 cricket between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe has produced close and competitive contests, often decided in the final overs.
🟣 T20I Series – December 2024 (Harare Sports Club)
The 2024 T20I series in Harare was tightly contested:
📊 1st T20I — 11 December 2024
- Zimbabwe: 145/6 (20 overs)
- Afghanistan: 144/6 (20 overs)
- Result: Zimbabwe won by 4 wickets
- Player of the Match: Brian Bennett (ZIM)
Zimbabwe chased down a modest total, with Bennett anchoring their chase, giving them an early series lead.
📊 2nd T20I — 13 December 2024
- Zimbabwe: 144 all out (19.2 overs)
- Afghanistan: 194/5 (20 overs)
- Result: Afghanistan won by 50 runs
- Player of the Match: Mohammad Nabi (AFG)
Afghanistan’s expansive batting effort, led by Nabi’s all‑round impact, turned the series around emphatically.
📊 3rd T20I — 14 December 2024
- Zimbabwe: 150/7 (20 overs)
- Afghanistan: 151/7 (19.3 overs)
- Result: Afghanistan won by 3 wickets
- Player of the Match: Azmatullah Omarzai (AFG)
A close contest saw Afghanistan seal the series with an agile chase in the final overs.
🟣 T20I Series – October/November 2025
The 2025 Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe continued the trend with commanding Afghan performances:
📍 1st T20I — 29 October 2025
- Afghanistan: 180/6
- Zimbabwe: 127 all out
- Result: Afghanistan won by 53 runs — Player of the Match: Azmatullah Omarzai.
Afghanistan’s top order set a strong foundation, with Gurbaz and Zadran giving impetus to a winning total.
📍 2nd T20I — 31 October 2025
- Zimbabwe: 125 all out
- Afghanistan: 129/3
- Result: Afghanistan won by 7 wickets — with comfortable chase.
A quick and controlled chase highlighted Afghanistan’s batting depth in T20 cricket.
📍 3rd T20I — 2 November 2025
- Afghanistan: 210/3
- Zimbabwe: 201 (20 overs)
- Result: Afghanistan won by 9 runs — Player of the Match: Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
In a high‑scoring thriller, Gurabaz’s explosive 92 led Afghanistan to yet another series win.
Series Result: Afghanistan completed a 3‑0 sweep of the T20I series, highlighting their dominance in the shortest format.
🧠 5. Head‑to‑Head & Statistical Insights
The head‑to‑head records between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan underscore Afghanistan’s rising prowess across formats.
- Overall T20 Matches: Afghanistan has won a majority of the recent T20I clashups, as seen in the 2025 series.
- Test Encounters: While Zimbabwe has enjoyed occasional test success, including rare victories, Afghanistan holds the edge in Test outcomes with multiple wins and competitive draws.
- ODI History: Afghanistan’s superior win tally in ODIs reflects their growth in limited overs structures, with Zimbabwe still fighting hard in selected fixtures.
Across formats, notable individual performers contribute significantly to their teams’ successes. From Hashmatullah Shahidi’s vital innings to Rashid Khan’s spine‑tingling bowling spells, Afghanistan’s key players have left a lasting impact. As a comparison, Zimbabwe’s stalwarts like Sikandar Raza and Brian Bennett have provided spirited resistance.
⭐ 6. Key Performers and Match Turning Points
🌟 Afghan Cricket Standouts
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz: Explosive opener whose big scores have often set the tone for Afghanistan’s innings.
- Hashmatullah Shahidi: Reliable middle‑order anchor with significant contributions across formats.
- Rashid Khan: Premier bowler whose skillful spin has dismantled opposition line‑ups in Tests and limited overs.
- Azmatullah Omarzai: Influential T20 performer with impactful batting.
🔥 Zimbabwe Cricket Highlights
- Brian Bennett: Emerging talent with game‑changing batting and field presence in T20s.
- Sikandar Raza: Zimbabwe’s senior campaigner, providing stability and leadership with flashes of brilliance.
- Richard Ngarava: Fast bowler whose performance in Test matches has drawn praise, including a career‑best 5‑37.
🌍 7. What This Rivalry Means
Matches between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe reflect the dynamic nature of modern international cricket. Afghanistan’s rise from inaugural Test status to imposing performances in multiple formats underscores how rapidly cricketing hierarchies can change. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s resilient displays — including rare Tests victories — highlight the competitive spirit that drives associate nations aspiring for greater achievements on the world stage.
Each match scorecard tells a story — be it a tight chase, a dominant bowling display, or a historic batting milestone — enriching the shared legacy of these two teams.
8. Conclusion
The Afghanistan national cricket team vs Zimbabwe national cricket team head‑to‑head matches present a fascinating tapestry of competitive cricket. From the longest format of Tests to the explosive T20 arenas, these scorecards showcase tactical battles, individual brilliance, and moments that define careers. Afghanistan’s ascendancy in limited overs and growing Test credentials contrast with Zimbabwe’s enduring tenacity and capacity for upsets and strong domestic performances.
Whether you’re tracking Test giants in preparation for future tours or analyzing T20I strategy, these matches between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe remain essential cricketing chapters rich with statistics, drama, and sporting excellence.