The Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team timeline is a gripping saga of cricketing battles, showcasing two emerging sides with raw talent, resilience, and flair. This rivalry, though relatively young, has produced nail-biting finishes, from last-ball T20I thrillers to high-scoring Test matches. Zimbabwe, with their disciplined batting and versatile all-rounders like Sikandar Raza, face off against Afghanistan’s spin-heavy attack, led by the maestro Rashid Khan, and their explosive batting lineup featuring Rahmat Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai. Their clashes are a tactical chess game—Zimbabwe’s pace and spin balance against Afghanistan’s spin wizardry and aggressive strokeplay. Iconic moments, like Zimbabwe’s dramatic 4-wicket win in the 1st T20I of 2024 or Afghanistan’s colossal 232-run ODI victory, keep fans on edge.
Scorecards are a treasure trove for fans, offering insights into strategies, pivotal DRS calls, and standout performances. Whether it’s analyzing Raza’s all-round heroics or Rashid’s game-changing googlies, these records bring the game to life. Apps like Cricbuzz provide real-time updates, helping fans dissect every moment. This article dives deep into their recent encounters across Test, ODI, and T20I formats, with detailed scorecards, key performances, and Hindi summaries for Indian fans, capturing the essence of this electrifying rivalry.
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Latest Matches
The Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan rivalry has seen intense battles in recent times, particularly during the 2024/25 Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe. Below is a detailed scorecard of eight recent matches across formats, showcasing the drama and brilliance of both teams.
Tournament |
Venue |
Date |
Toss |
Zimbabwe Score 🇿🇼 |
Afghanistan Score 🇦🇫 |
Result |
Series |
Player of the Match |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st T20I |
Harare Sports Club |
Dec 11, 2024 |
Afghanistan |
145/6 (20 ov) |
144/6 (20 ov) |
Zimbabwe won by 4 wickets |
Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024/25 |
Tashinga Musekiwa |
2nd T20I |
Harare Sports Club |
Dec 13, 2024 |
Afghanistan |
103/10 (17.4 ov) |
153/6 (20 ov) |
Afghanistan won by 50 runs |
Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024/25 |
Naveen-ul-Haq |
3rd T20I |
Harare Sports Club |
Dec 14, 2024 |
Zimbabwe |
127/10 (20 ov) |
128/7 (19.3 ov) |
Afghanistan won by 3 wickets |
Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024/25 |
Azmatullah Omarzai |
1st ODI |
Harare Sports Club |
Dec 16, 2024 |
Zimbabwe |
44/5 (9.2 ov) |
No result |
No result |
Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024/25 |
None |
2nd ODI |
Harare Sports Club |
Dec 18, 2024 |
Zimbabwe |
54/10 (17.5 ov) |
286/6 (50 ov) |
Afghanistan won by 232 runs |
Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024/25 |
Rahmat Shah |
3rd ODI |
Harare Sports Club |
Dec 20, 2024 |
Zimbabwe |
127/10 (36.5 ov) |
131/2 (26.5 ov) |
Afghanistan won by 8 wickets |
Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024/25 |
Rashid Khan |
1st Test |
Bulawayo |
Dec 26–30, 2024 |
Zimbabwe |
586 & 142/4 (46 ov) |
699/10 (165.4 ov) |
Match drawn |
Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024/25 |
Rahmat Shah |
2nd Test |
Bulawayo |
Jan 2–6, 2025 |
Afghanistan |
243 & 205/10 (64.2 ov) |
157 & 363/10 (101.3 ov) |
Afghanistan won by 72 runs |
Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024/25 |
Rashid Khan |
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Last 10 T20I Matches
The T20I clashes between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan are known for their unpredictability, with both teams showcasing aggressive batting and sharp bowling. Here are the last 10 T20I encounters, drawn from historical data and recent tours.
Tournament |
Venue |
Date |
Toss |
Zimbabwe Score 🇿🇼 |
Afghanistan Score 🇦🇫 |
Result |
Series |
Player of the Match |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st T20I |
Harare Sports Club |
Dec 11, 2024 |
Afghanistan |
145/6 (20 ov) |
144/6 (20 ov) |
Zimbabwe won by 4 wickets |
Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024/25 |
Tashinga Musekiwa |
2nd T20I |
Harare Sports Club |
Dec 13, 2024 |
Afghanistan |
103/10 (17.4 ov) |
153/6 (20 ov) |
Afghanistan won by 50 runs |
Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024/25 |
Naveen-ul-Haq |
3rd T20I |
Harare Sports Club |
Dec 14, 2024 |
Zimbabwe |
127/10 (20 ov) |
128/7 (19.3 ov) |
Afghanistan won by 3 wickets |
Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024/25 |
Azmatullah Omarzai |
1st T20I |
Sharjah |
Feb 5, 2018 |
Afghanistan |
120/9 (20 ov) |
121/5 (14.4 ov) |
Afghanistan won by 5 wickets |
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe 2018 |
Mohammad Nabi |
2nd T20I |
Sharjah |
Feb 6, 2018 |
Zimbabwe |
141/5 (20 ov) |
158/9 (20 ov) |
Afghanistan won by 17 runs |
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe 2018 |
Rashid Khan |
1st T20I |
Bulawayo |
Oct 26, 2015 |
Zimbabwe |
153/5 (20 ov) |
154/5 (19.4 ov) |
Afghanistan won by 5 wickets |
Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2015 |
Usman Ghani |
2nd T20I |
Bulawayo |
Oct 28, 2015 |
Zimbabwe |
190/7 (20 ov) |
191/5 (20 ov) |
Afghanistan won by 5 wickets |
Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2015 |
Mohammad Nabi |
1st T20I |
Lahore |
Sep 26, 2015 |
Zimbabwe |
136/7 (20 ov) |
139/4 (18.5 ov) |
Afghanistan won by 6 wickets |
Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2015 |
Dawlat Zadran |
2nd T20I |
Lahore |
Sep 27, 2015 |
Afghanistan |
170/5 (20 ov) |
173/3 (17.3 ov) |
Afghanistan won by 7 wickets |
Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2015 |
Mohammad Shahzad |
1st T20I |
Nagpur |
Mar 12, 2016 |
Afghanistan |
186/6 (20 ov) |
153/7 (20 ov) |
Afghanistan won by 33 runs |
World T20 2016 |
Mohammad Nabi |
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Last 10 ODI Matches
ODI encounters between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan are often high-scoring, with Afghanistan’s batting depth overpowering Zimbabwe’s resilience. Below are the last 10 ODI matches, reflecting their competitive spirit.
Tournament |
Venue |
Date |
Toss |
Zimbabwe Score 🇿🇼 |
Afghanistan Score 🇦🇫 |
Result |
Series |
Player of the Match |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st ODI |
Harare Sports Club |
Dec 16, 2024 |
Zimbabwe |
44/5 (9.2 ov) |
No result |
No result |
Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024/25 |
None |
2nd ODI |
Harare Sports Club |
Dec 18, 2024 |
Zimbabwe |
54/10 (17.5 ov) |
286/6 (50 ov) |
Afghanistan won by 232 runs |
Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024/25 |
Rahmat Shah |
3rd ODI |
Harare Sports Club |
Dec 20, 2024 |
Zimbabwe |
127/10 (36.5 ov) |
131/2 (26.5 ov) |
Afghanistan won by 8 wickets |
Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024/25 |
Rashid Khan |
1st ODI |
Sharjah |
Dec 25, 2015 |
Afghanistan |
131/10 (38.5 ov) |
161/10 (45 ov) |
Afghanistan won by 30 runs |
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe 2015 |
Mohammad Nabi |
2nd ODI |
Sharjah |
Dec 29, 2015 |
Zimbabwe |
126/10 (34.2 ov) |
254/6 (50 ov) |
Afghanistan won by 128 runs |
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe 2015 |
Mohammad Shahzad |
3rd ODI |
Sharjah |
Jan 2, 2016 |
Afghanistan |
175/10 (48.2 ov) |
233/8 (50 ov) |
Afghanistan won by 58 runs |
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe 2015 |
Rashid Khan |
4th ODI |
Sharjah |
Jan 4, 2016 |
Zimbabwe |
226/10 (49.1 ov) |
161/10 (44.5 ov) |
Zimbabwe won by 65 runs |
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe 2015 |
Chamu Chibhabha |
5th ODI |
Sharjah |
Jan 6, 2016 |
Afghanistan |
248/10 (49.4 ov) |
254/6 (50 ov) |
Afghanistan won by 6 runs |
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe 2015 |
Gulbadin Naib |
1st ODI |
Harare |
Feb 16, 2017 |
Zimbabwe |
99/10 (27.2 ov) |
215/10 (49.2 ov) |
Afghanistan won by 116 runs |
Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2017 |
Mohammad Nabi |
2nd ODI |
Harare |
Feb 19, 2017 |
Afghanistan |
238/9 (50 ov) |
184/10 (42.1 ov) |
Zimbabwe won by 54 runs |
Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2017 |
Sean Williams |
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Last 10 Test Matches
Test matches between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan are rare but thrilling, often featuring marathon batting efforts and spin battles. Below are the last 10 Test encounters, focusing on recent and historical clashes.
Tournament |
Venue |
Date |
Toss |
Zimbabwe Score 🇿🇼 |
Afghanistan Score 🇦🇫 |
Result |
Series |
Player of the Match |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st Test |
Bulawayo |
Dec 26–30, 2024 |
Zimbabwe |
586 & 142/4 (46 ov) |
699/10 (165.4 ov) |
Match drawn |
Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024/25 |
Rahmat Shah |
2nd Test |
Bulawayo |
Jan 2–6, 2025 |
Afghanistan |
243 & 205/10 (64.2 ov) |
157 & 363/10 (101.3 ov) |
Afghanistan won by 72 runs |
Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2024/25 |
Rashid Khan |
1st Test |
Abu Dhabi |
Mar 2–6, 2021 |
Afghanistan |
545/4d & 108/4 (26.1 ov) |
131 & 135/10 (47 ov) |
Zimbabwe won by 10 wickets |
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe 2021 |
Sean Williams |
2nd Test |
Abu Dhabi |
Mar 10–14, 2021 |
Zimbabwe |
287 & 365/10 (148.5 ov) |
250 & 403/8 (104 ov) |
Afghanistan won by 6 wickets |
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe 2021 |
Hashmatullah Shahidi |
1st Test |
Harare |
Jul 28–Aug 1, 2014 |
Zimbabwe |
256 & 181/10 (67.2 ov) |
302 & 136/4 (37.4 ov) |
Afghanistan won by 6 wickets |
Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2014 |
Afsar Zazai |
2nd Test |
Harare |
Aug 6–10, 2014 |
Afghanistan |
294 & 141/10 (54.3 ov) |
331 & 105/3 (25.1 ov) |
Afghanistan won by 7 wickets |
Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2014 |
Mohammad Nabi |
1st Test |
Dehradun |
Mar 15–19, 2019 |
Afghanistan |
314 & 149/10 (54.3 ov) |
342 & 122/4 (37.2 ov) |
Afghanistan won by 7 wickets |
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe 2019 |
Rahmat Shah |
2nd Test |
Dehradun |
Mar 22–26, 2019 |
Zimbabwe |
205 & 213/10 (71.3 ov) |
540/6d (141.2 ov) |
Afghanistan won by 225 runs |
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe 2019 |
Ihsanullah |
1st Test |
Bulawayo |
Nov 7–11, 2017 |
Zimbabwe |
501/3d & 102/2 (26 ov) |
329 & 272/10 (99.4 ov) |
Zimbabwe won by 8 wickets |
Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2017 |
Brendan Taylor |
2nd Test |
Bulawayo |
Nov 14–18, 2017 |
Afghanistan |
285 & 247/10 (75 ov) |
338 & 195/2 (47.3 ov) |
Zimbabwe won by 8 wickets |
Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2017 |
Sikandar Raza |
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Key Performances
Standout performances define this rivalry, from Rashid Khan’s magical spells to Brian Bennett’s gritty knocks. Below are 7 key performances from recent matches.
Player |
Team |
Match |
Performance |
---|---|---|---|
Rahmat Shah |
Afghanistan 🇦🇫 |
1st Test, Dec 2024 |
231* (408 balls, 24×4, 2×6) |
Rashid Khan |
Afghanistan 🇦🇫 |
2nd ODI, Dec 2024 |
5/19 (8.5 ov) |
Brian Bennett |
Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 |
3rd T20I, Dec 2024 |
31 (24 balls, 4×4) |
Azmatullah Omarzai |
Afghanistan 🇦🇫 |
3rd T20I, Dec 2024 |
34 (37 balls) & 2/10 |
Sikandar Raza |
Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 |
2nd T20I, Dec 2024 |
35 (30 balls, 3×4, 1×6) |
Naveen-ul-Haq |
Afghanistan 🇦🇫 |
2nd T20I, Dec 2024 |
3/19 (4 ov) |
Sean Williams |
Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 |
1st Test, Mar 2021 |
151* (219 balls, 18×4, 1×6) |
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Rivalry Summary
The Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan rivalry is a testament to the growth of associate nations in cricket. Afghanistan’s rise, fueled by Rashid Khan’s wizardry and Rahmat Shah’s consistency, contrasts with Zimbabwe’s gritty fightbacks led by Sikandar Raza and emerging talents like Brian Bennett. The 2024/25 series highlighted Afghanistan’s dominance, winning the T20I series 2-1 and the ODI series 2-0, with one no-result. The Test series was split, with a draw and a thrilling Afghan victory. Tactical battles, like Afghanistan’s spin choke against Zimbabwe’s pace attack, keep fans hooked.
Looking ahead, the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy could see both teams compete, with Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai and Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani emerging as players to watch. This rivalry thrives on unpredictability and passion, making every match a spectacle.
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FAQs
Why is the Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan rivalry a top cricket rivalry?
The rivalry is compelling due to both teams’ underdog status and contrasting styles—Afghanistan’s spin-heavy attack versus Zimbabwe’s balanced approach. Their matches, like the 2024 T20I thriller, are often decided in the final moments, captivating fans.
How to read a cricket scorecard?
A scorecard lists team totals, overs, wickets, and individual performances (runs, wickets). For example, “145/6 (20 ov)” means 145 runs for 6 wickets in 20 overs. Check batting/bowling stats for key contributions and extras for additional context.
Who are the standout players in this rivalry?
Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) dominates with his leg-spin, while Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe) shines as an all-rounder. Emerging stars like Azmatullah Omarzai and Brian Bennett add flair to recent encounters.
What was the most thrilling match in recent Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan games?
The 1st T20I in December 2024, where Zimbabwe chased 145 on the last ball, thanks to Tashinga Musekiwa’s heroics, stands out for its drama and intensity.
How have Zimbabwe and Afghanistan performed in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy?
As of September 2025, the ICC Champions Trophy is ongoing. Both teams are expected to showcase young talents like Brian Bennett and Azmatullah Omarzai, with Afghanistan’s spin attack likely to challenge top teams.
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