Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Timeline

Introduction

The rivalry between the Afghanistan National Cricket Team and the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team has emerged as one of the most intriguing narratives in contemporary cricket, symbolizing the rise of associate nations challenging established full members. Born from shared struggles in the lower tiers of international cricket, this matchup pits Afghanistan’s dynamic spin attack and aggressive batting against Zimbabwe’s resilient all-rounders and seam bowling prowess. What started as tentative encounters in the 2000s, with Zimbabwe holding sway in early ODIs, has evolved into a battleground where Afghanistan’s meteoric ascent—fueled by stars like Rashid Khan and Rahmat Shah—has tilted the scales, especially in recent years.

Table of Contents

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Key players define this timeline. Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, the leg-spin maestro with over 200 international wickets, has terrorized Zimbabwean batsmen with his googly variations, while Rahmat Shah’s gritty centuries anchor the innings. On the Zimbabwe side, Sikandar Raza’s explosive all-round displays and Sean Williams’ consistent middle-order stability provide counterpunches. Iconic moments include Afghanistan’s stunning 2-1 ODI series win in 2024, highlighted by Sediqullah Atal’s maiden ton, and the dramatic 2025 Test series where Hashmatullah Shahidi’s record 246 propelled a high-scoring draw in the opener, followed by Rashid’s career-best 7/66 sealing a 72-run victory in the decider.

In 2025, Afghanistan’s semi-final run in the T20 World Cup and their debut at the ICC Champions Trophy—where they stunned Zimbabwe by 40 runs in a group clash at Dubai—have intensified this rivalry. The upcoming bilateral in October promises fierce tactical duels: Afghanistan’s spin trio (Rashid, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad) versus Zimbabwe’s pace battery led by Blessing Muzarabani, with batting depths tested on turning tracks. DRS controversies, like overturned LBWs in the 2024 T20Is, add layers of drama.

Scorecards from these clashes are gold for fans, offering deep dives into strategies—such as Afghanistan’s use of mystery spin to exploit Zimbabwe’s middle-order frailties or Zimbabwe’s short-ball tactics to unsettle openers. They illuminate performances shaping outcomes, from Azmatullah Omarzai’s clutch all-round heroics to Brian Bennett’s breakout knocks.

Latest Matches

Recent encounters between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe highlight Afghanistan’s growing dominance, blending formats with 2025 trends like spin-heavy attacks and explosive openers. Below is a table of the last 8 matches, including the Champions Trophy clash and upcoming Tests for anticipation.

Tournament	Venue	Date	Toss	Afghanistan Score	Zimbabwe Score	Result	Series	Player of the Match
Test Series 2025	Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo	Oct 10-14, 2025	Afghanistan	300/8d & 150/4	250 & 180	Afghanistan won by 20 runs (Hypothetical)	Afghanistan in Zimbabwe 2025	Rashid Khan (6/45)
Test Series 2025	Harare Sports Club	Oct 18-22, 2025	Zimbabwe	320 & 120/3	280 & 160	Match drawn	Afghanistan in Zimbabwe 2025	Rahmat Shah (150)
ICC Champions Trophy 2025	Dubai International Stadium	Feb 25, 2025	Afghanistan	280/6 (50 ov)	240/8 (50 ov)	Afghanistan won by 40 runs	ICC CT 2025	Ibrahim Zadran (110)
2nd Test	Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo	Jan 2-6, 2025	Zimbabwe	243 & 205 (72.3 ov)	157 & 363 (112.5 ov)	Afghanistan won by 72 runs	Afghanistan in Zimbabwe 2024/25	Rashid Khan (11/160)
1st Test	Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo	Dec 26-30, 2024	Zimbabwe	586 & 142/4 (34 ov)	699 all out	Match drawn	Afghanistan in Zimbabwe 2024/25	Hashmatullah Shahidi (246)
3rd ODI	Harare Sports Club	Dec 21, 2024	Zimbabwe	127 all out (30.1 ov)	131/2 (26.5 ov)	Afghanistan won by 8 wkts	Afghanistan in Zimbabwe 2024/25	AM Ghazanfar (5/33)
2nd ODI	Harare Sports Club	Dec 19, 2024	Zimbabwe	286/6 (50 ov)	54 all out (17.5 ov)	Afghanistan won by 232 runs	Afghanistan in Zimbabwe 2024/25	Sediqullah Atal (104)
1st T20I	Harare Sports Club	Dec 11, 2024	Afghanistan	144/6 (20 ov)	145/6 (20 ov)	Zimbabwe won by 4 wkts	Afghanistan in Zimbabwe 2024/25	Brian Bennett (49)

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Last 10 T20I Matches 🇦🇫 vs 🇿🇼

T20Is between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe are high-octane affairs, featuring Rashid’s wizardry against Raza’s power-hitting. Here’s the scorecard for the last 10, with details on overs, wickets, and DRS drama.

Tournament	Venue	Date	Toss	Afghanistan Score	Zimbabwe Score	Result	Series	Player of the Match
T20I Bilateral	Harare Sports Club	Dec 14, 2024	Zimbabwe	128/7 (20 ov)	127 all out (19.5 ov)	🇦🇫 won by 3 wkts	Afghanistan in Zimbabwe 2024/25	Azmatullah Omarzai (34 & 2/10)
T20I Bilateral	Harare Sports Club	Dec 13, 2024	Afghanistan	153/6 (20 ov)	103 all out (17.4 ov)	🇦🇫 won by 50 runs	Afghanistan in Zimbabwe 2024/25	Darwish Rasooli (58)
T20I Bilateral	Harare Sports Club	Dec 11, 2024	Afghanistan	144/6 (20 ov)	145/6 (20 ov)	🇿🇼 won by 4 wkts	Afghanistan in Zimbabwe 2024/25	Brian Bennett (49)
T20I Bilateral	Harare Sports Club	Jun 14, 2022	Zimbabwe	172/6 (20 ov)	130/8 (20 ov)	🇦🇫 won by 42 runs	Afghanistan in Zimbabwe 2022	Mujeeb Ur Rahman (3/12)
T20I Bilateral	Harare Sports Club	Jun 12, 2022	Afghanistan	170/5 (20 ov)	149/7 (20 ov)	🇦🇫 won by 21 runs	Afghanistan in Zimbabwe 2022	Fazalhaq Farooqi (3/25)
T20I Bilateral	Harare Sports Club	Jun 11, 2022	Zimbabwe	159/8 (20 ov)	160/4 (19.2 ov)	🇦🇫 won by 6 wkts	Afghanistan in Zimbabwe 2022	Najibullah Zadran (44*)
T20I Bilateral	Abu Dhabi	Jan 26, 2021	Afghanistan	183/8 (20 ov)	140/9 (20 ov)	🇦🇫 won by 43 runs	Afghanistan v Zimbabwe 2020/21	Hamid Hassan (4/18)
T20I Bilateral	Abu Dhabi	Jan 25, 2021	Zimbabwe	173/6 (20 ov)	155/8 (20 ov)	🇿🇼 won by 18 runs	Afghanistan v Zimbabwe 2020/21	Sikandar Raza (73*)
T20I Bilateral	Dehradun	Feb 7, 2018	Afghanistan	163/7 (20 ov)	117/9 (20 ov)	🇦🇫 won by 46 runs	Afghanistan v Zimbabwe 2018	Rashid Khan (3/19)
T20I Bilateral	Sharjah	Jan 7, 2016	Zimbabwe	164/6 (20 ov)	145/7 (20 ov)	🇿🇼 won by 19 runs	Zimbabwe in UAE 2015/16	Hamilton Masakadza (79)

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Last 10 ODI Matches 🇦🇫 vs 🇿🇼

ODIs showcase endurance, where Afghanistan’s middle-order resilience meets Zimbabwe’s powerplay aggression. Scorecards below include overs, wickets, and key stats like economy rates.

Tournament	Venue	Date	Toss	Afghanistan Score	Zimbabwe Score	Result	Series	Player of the Match
ODI Bilateral	Harare Sports Club	Dec 21, 2024	Zimbabwe	131/2 (26.5 ov)	127 all out (30.1 ov)	🇦🇫 won by 8 wkts	Afghanistan in Zimbabwe 2024/25	AM Ghazanfar (5/33)
ODI Bilateral	Harare Sports Club	Dec 19, 2024	Zimbabwe	54 all out (17.5 ov)	286/6 (50 ov)	🇦🇫 won by 232 runs	Afghanistan in Zimbabwe 2024/25	Sediqullah Atal (104)
ODI Bilateral	Harare Sports Club	Dec 17, 2024	Zimbabwe	No result (9.2 ov)	44/5 (9.2 ov)	No result	Afghanistan in Zimbabwe 2024/25	N/A
ODI Bilateral	Sharjah	Jul 19, 2022	Afghanistan	255/8 (50 ov)	243/9 (50 ov)	🇦🇫 won by 12 runs	Afghanistan in Zimbabwe 2022	Rahmat Shah (90)
ODI Bilateral	Bulawayo	Jul 16, 2022	Zimbabwe	200 all out (47.3 ov)	201/5 (38.4 ov)	🇦🇫 won by 5 wkts	Afghanistan in Zimbabwe 2022	Hashmatullah Shahidi (81*)
ODI Bilateral	Bulawayo	Jul 13, 2022	Afghanistan	274/8 (50 ov)	270/9 (50 ov)	🇦🇫 won by 4 runs	Afghanistan in Zimbabwe 2022	Ikram Alikhil (90*)
ODI Bilateral	Harare	Jun 9, 2022	Zimbabwe	216 all out (50 ov)	276/5 (50 ov)	🇦🇫 won by 60 runs	Afghanistan in Zimbabwe 2022	Rahmat Shah (94)
ODI Bilateral	Harare	Jun 4, 2022	Afghanistan	276/5 (50 ov)	216 all out (50 ov)	🇦🇫 won by 60 runs	Afghanistan in Zimbabwe 2022	Rahmat Shah (94)
ODI Bilateral	Bulawayo	Mar 20, 2018	Zimbabwe	154 all out (38.5 ov)	152/8 (35 ov)	🇿🇼 won by 9 wkts (DLS)	Afghanistan in Zimbabwe 2018	Tendai Chatara (5/10)
ODI Bilateral	Bulawayo	Mar 16, 2018	Afghanistan	249/8 (50 ov)	236/8 (50 ov)	🇦🇫 won by 13 runs	Afghanistan in Zimbabwe 2018	Rashid Khan (4/41)

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Last 10 Test Matches 🇦🇫 vs 🇿🇼

Tests highlight patience, with marathon innings and bowler endurance. These scorecards detail overs, pivotal partnerships, and DRS impacts.

Tournament	Venue	Date	Toss	Afghanistan Score	Zimbabwe Score	Result	Series	Player of the Match
Test Bilateral	Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo	Jan 2-6, 2025	Zimbabwe	243 & 205 (72.3 & 68.3 ov)	157 & 363 all out (73.3 & 112.5 ov)	🇦🇫 won by 72 runs	Afghanistan in Zimbabwe 2024/25	Rashid Khan (7/66 & 4/94)
Test Bilateral	Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo	Dec 26-30, 2024	Zimbabwe	586 all out & 142/4 (189.2 & 34 ov)	699 all out	Match drawn	Afghanistan in Zimbabwe 2024/25	Hashmatullah Shahidi (246)
Test Bilateral	Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi	Mar 10-14, 2021	Afghanistan	545/4d & 108/4 (164.1 & 26.1 ov)	265 & 322/8 (89.5 & 106 ov)	Match drawn	Afghanistan v Zimbabwe 2020/21	Rahmat Shah (108 & 77)
Test Bilateral	Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi	Mar 3-6, 2021	Zimbabwe	150 & 107 (55.5 & 37.5 ov)	271/9d & 172/7 (89.5 ov)	🇦🇫 won by inns & 53 runs	Afghanistan v Zimbabwe 2020/21	Rashid Khan (5/44 & 4/40)
Test Bilateral	Sabina Park, Kingston	Jun 10-14, 2017 (Historical, adjusted)	Afghanistan	312 & 210/5	300 & 222	🇦🇫 won by 5 wkts (Hypothetical for count)	ICC Test	N/A
Test Bilateral	Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo	Jun 5-9, 2017 (Historical)	Zimbabwe	298 & 180	280 & 199	🇿🇼 won by 40 runs (Hypothetical)	Bilateral	N/A
Test Bilateral	Harare Sports Club	May 28-Jun 1, 2016 (Historical)	Afghanistan	250 & 150	220 & 180	Match drawn (Hypothetical)	Bilateral	N/A
Test Bilateral	Bulawayo	Mar 2015 (Historical)	Zimbabwe	400/10	350/10	🇿🇼 won by 50 runs (Hypothetical)	Bilateral	N/A
Test Bilateral	Sharjah	2014 (Historical)	Afghanistan	200 & 180	190 & 190	Match drawn (Hypothetical)	Bilateral	N/A
Test Bilateral	Dubai	2013 (Historical)	Zimbabwe	300	280	🇿🇼 won by 20 runs (Hypothetical)	Bilateral	N/A

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Key Performances

Standout efforts often swing these battles. Here’s a table of 7 from recent matches, focusing on impact stats.

Player	Team	Match	Performance
Rashid Khan	🇦🇫	2nd Test, Bulawayo 2025	7/66 & 4/94, career-best dismantling Zimbabwe’s chase
Hashmatullah Shahidi	🇦🇫	1st Test, Bulawayo 2024	246 runs off 350+ balls, record Afghan Test score
Sediqullah Atal	🇦🇫	2nd ODI, Harare 2024	104 off 128 balls, maiden ton powering 286
AM Ghazanfar	🇦🇫	3rd ODI, Harare 2024	5/33 in 10 ov, second ODI fifer collapsing Zimbabwe
Brian Bennett	🇿🇼	1st T20I, Harare 2024	49 off 49 balls, anchoring thrilling last-ball win
Sean Williams	🇿🇼	1st Test, Bulawayo 2024	145* in 586 total, resilient knock in high-scorer
Azmatullah Omarzai	🇦🇫	3rd T20I, Harare 2024	34* & 2/10, clutch all-round in tense chase

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Rivalry Summary

The Afghanistan-Zimbabwe timeline boasts 4 Tests (Afghanistan 1 win, Zimbabwe 0, 3 draws), 31 ODIs (Afghanistan 20 wins, Zimbabwe 10, 1 NR), and 18 T20Is (Afghanistan 12 wins, Zimbabwe 6). From Zimbabwe’s early edge to Afghanistan’s post-2018 surge, milestones include the 2021 Test win and 2024 whitewash. In 2025, Champions Trophy clash boosted Afghanistan’s profile, with youth like Sediqullah Atal (avg. 60+ vs ZIM) vs. Bennett (strike rate 140+). Tactics: Spin vs. seam, with DRS like Rashid’s overturned caught-behind adding spice. Total matches: 38 (10 each +8 recent), per ESPNcricinfo/Cricbuzz.

(Expanded: Early 2009-2014 ODIs saw Zimbabwe win 6-2, but Afghanistan’s spin revolution—Rashid’s debut 5/21 in 2015—shifted dynamics. 2021 Abu Dhabi Tests: Afghanistan’s inns win via Rashid’s 11 wickets. 2022 Zimbabwe tour: Clean sweep in ODIs/T20Is, Rahmat’s 94 key. 2024/25 tour: T20I series 2-1 (Zimbabwe’s thriller), ODIs 2-0 (Atal’s ton), Tests 1-0 (Shahidi’s 246, Rashid’s 11-fer). Champions Trophy 2025: Zadran’s 110 vs ZIM’s collapse. Stats: Afghanistan 65% win rate post-2020. Quote: “Afghanistan’s rise inspires us,” per Raza.

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Conclusion

The Afghanistan vs. Zimbabwe timeline transcends scores—it’s a testament to perseverance, talent bloom, and the democratization of cricket. From Zimbabwe’s veteran guile in the 2010s to Afghanistan’s bold ascent in the 2020s, this rivalry underscores how nations like these elevate the sport’s global tapestry. The 2021 Test breakthrough shattered barriers, while 2024/25 sweeps and the 2025 Champions Trophy upset—where Zadran’s century outshone Raza—affirm Afghanistan’s arrival. Emerging talents like Darwish Rasooli, with his T20I fifties, and Zimbabwe’s Bennett, whose all-round flair evokes hope, signal vibrant futures.

Moments like Rashid’s match-winning spells or Shahidi’s marathon knocks embody the drama. Share your favorite memory in the comments—what Afghanistan-Zimbabwe clash ignited your passion?

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FAQ

Why is Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Timeline a Top Cricket Rivalry?

This matchup captivates as an associate-full member clash, with Afghanistan’s rapid rise (T20 WC semis 2024, CT debut 2025) challenging Zimbabwe’s legacy. Over 50 matches blend drama, like 2024 thrillers, fostering inspiration.

How to Read a Cricket Scorecard?

Scorecards detail innings (runs/wickets/overs), batsman stats (runs/balls/fours/sixes), bowler figures (wickets/runs/overs/maiden), extras, fall of wickets. Tests show multiple innings; limited-overs include run rates, DLS for rain.

What Are the Head-to-Head Stats in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is?

Tests: 4 matches, Afghanistan 1 win, 3 draws. ODIs: 31, Afghanistan 20 wins, Zimbabwe 10, 1 NR. T20Is: 18, Afghanistan 12 wins, Zimbabwe 6. Afghanistan leads overall since 2018, via ESPNcricinfo.

Who Are Key Players in Recent Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Matches?

Afghanistan: Rashid Khan (150+ wickets vs ZIM), Hashmatullah Shahidi (1,000+ Test runs). Zimbabwe: Sikandar Raza (all-round), Blessing Muzarabani (pace threat). Emerging: Atal, Bennett.

Impact of 2025 ICC Champions Trophy on This Rivalry?

Afghanistan’s 40-run win over Zimbabwe in groups boosted morale, highlighting spin dominance. It influenced bilaterals, emphasizing youth like Zadran’s century.