The Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan cricket rivalry has emerged as one of the most intriguing contests in modern cricket, pitting two associate-turned-full-member nations against each other in a battle of grit, talent, and ambition. 🇿🇼🇦🇫 Since Afghanistan’s meteoric rise in international cricket, their clashes with Zimbabwe have been marked by intense competition, with both teams showcasing resilience and flair.
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From Sikandar Raza’s all-round heroics to Rashid Khan’s spin wizardry, these matches are a showcase of tactical battles—pace versus spin, aggressive batting versus disciplined bowling. Scorecards from these encounters are a treasure trove for fans, offering insights into strategies, clutch performances, and pivotal moments like Sean Williams’ gritty centuries or Mohammad Nabi’s game-changing spells. Platforms like ESPNcricinfo make it easy to track live scores and dissect performances, helping fans analyze how these teams evolve. This article dives into the Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan timeline, delivering detailed scorecards across Test, ODI, and T20I formats, key performances, and Hindi summaries to celebrate this dynamic rivalry.
Latest Matches
Zimbabwe and Afghanistan have clashed frequently in bilateral series and ICC tournaments, with recent matches reflecting their growing competitiveness. Below is a table summarizing the latest eight matches across formats, highlighting key results and standout performers.
|
Tournament |
Venue |
Date |
Toss |
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe Score |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan Score |
Result |
Series |
Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
T20I Series 2024 |
Harare, Zimbabwe |
Dec 15, 2024 |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan |
127/8 (20) | 128/2 (16.3) |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan won by 8 wickets |
3rd T20I |
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (51*) |
|
T20I Series 2024 |
Harare, Zimbabwe |
Dec 13, 2024 |
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe |
143/6 (20) | 144/4 (18.2) |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan won by 6 wickets |
2nd T20I |
Mohammad Nabi (44* & 2/20) |
|
ODI Series 2024 |
Harare, Zimbabwe |
Dec 9, 2024 |
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe |
230/8 (50) | 231/5 (47.1) |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan won by 5 wickets |
3rd ODI |
Rahmat Shah (89) |
|
ODI Series 2024 |
Harare, Zimbabwe |
Dec 7, 2024 |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan |
286/6 (50) | 149 (38.4) |
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe won by 137 runs |
2nd ODI |
Sikandar Raza (78 & 3/25) |
|
Test Series 2021 |
Abu Dhabi, UAE |
Mar 10–14, 2021 |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan |
545/4d & 108/4 |
250 & 287 |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan won by 6 wickets |
2nd Test |
Hashmatullah Shahidi (200*) |
|
T20I Series 2021 |
Abu Dhabi, UAE |
Mar 20, 2021 |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan |
193/5 (20) | 146/5 (20) |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan won by 47 runs |
3rd T20I |
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (87) |
|
ODI Series 2018 |
Sharjah, UAE |
Feb 19, 2018 |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan |
241/9 (50) | 158 (43.4) |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan won by 83 runs |
5th ODI |
Rashid Khan (5/41) |
|
T20I Series 2018 |
Sharjah, UAE |
Feb 6, 2018 |
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe |
120/9 (20) | 121/5 (14.4) |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan won by 5 wickets |
2nd T20I |
Mohammad Nabi (45* & 2/16) |
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Last 10 T20I Matches
T20I clashes between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan are fast-paced, with Afghanistan’s spin-heavy attack often clashing with Zimbabwe’s aggressive batting. Here are the last 10 T20I matches.
|
Tournament |
Venue |
Date |
Toss |
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe Score |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan Score |
Result |
Series |
Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
T20I Series 2024 |
Harare, Zimbabwe |
Dec 15, 2024 |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan |
127/8 (20) | 128/2 (16.3) |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan won by 8 wickets |
3rd T20I |
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (51*) |
|
T20I Series 2024 |
Harare, Zimbabwe |
Dec 13, 2024 |
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe |
143/6 (20) | 144/4 (18.2) |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan won by 6 wickets |
2nd T20I |
Mohammad Nabi (44* & 2/20) |
|
T20I Series 2024 |
Harare, Zimbabwe |
Dec 11, 2024 |
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe |
154/7 (20) | 155/3 (19.1) |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan won by 7 wickets |
1st T20I |
Rashid Khan (3/15) |
|
T20I Series 2021 |
Abu Dhabi, UAE |
Mar 20, 2021 |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan |
193/5 (20) | 146/5 (20) |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan won by 47 runs |
3rd T20I |
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (87) |
|
T20I Series 2021 |
Abu Dhabi, UAE |
Mar 19, 2021 |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan |
183/7 (20) | 136/5 (20) |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan won by 47 runs |
2nd T20I |
Karim Janat (53) |
|
T20I Series 2021 |
Abu Dhabi, UAE |
Mar 17, 2021 |
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe |
148/9 (20) | 198/5 (20) |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan won by 50 runs |
1st T20I |
Usman Ghani (49) |
|
T20I Series 2018 |
Sharjah, UAE |
Feb 6, 2018 |
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe |
120/9 (20) | 121/5 (14.4) |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan won by 5 wickets |
2nd T20I |
Mohammad Nabi (45* & 2/16) |
|
T20I Series 2018 |
Sharjah, UAE |
Feb 5, 2018 |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan |
158/9 (20) | 163/5 (18.3) |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan won by 5 wickets |
1st T20I |
Mohammad Nabi (40* & 2/21) |
|
T20I Series 2016 |
Sharjah, UAE |
Jan 10, 2016 |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan |
153/7 (20) | 154/6 (18.5) |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan won by 4 wickets |
2nd T20I |
Gulbadin Naib (37* & 1/19) |
|
T20I Series 2016 |
Sharjah, UAE |
Jan 8, 2016 |
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe |
167/6 (20) | 168/4 (19.2) |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan won by 6 wickets |
1st T20I |
Mohammad Shahzad (67) |
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Last 10 ODI Matches
ODI encounters between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan often hinge on batting depth and spin bowling. Here are the last 10 ODI matches, showcasing key performances.
|
Tournament |
Venue |
Date |
Toss |
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe Score |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan Score |
Result |
Series |
Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ODI Series 2024 |
Harare, Zimbabwe |
Dec 9, 2024 |
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe |
230/8 (50) | 231/5 (47.1) |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan won by 5 wickets |
3rd ODI |
Rahmat Shah (89) |
|
ODI Series 2024 |
Harare, Zimbabwe |
Dec 7, 2024 |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan |
286/6 (50) | 149 (38.4) |
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe won by 137 runs |
2nd ODI |
Sikandar Raza (78 & 3/25) |
|
ODI Series 2024 |
Harare, Zimbabwe |
Dec 5, 2024 |
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe |
211 (49.2) | 212/4 (46.3) |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan won by 6 wickets |
1st ODI |
Hashmatullah Shahidi (77) |
|
ODI Series 2018 |
Sharjah, UAE |
Feb 19, 2018 |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan |
241/9 (50) | 158 (43.4) |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan won by 83 runs |
5th ODI |
Rashid Khan (5/41) |
|
ODI Series 2018 |
Sharjah, UAE |
Feb 16, 2018 |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan |
333/5 (50) | 179 (47.2) |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan won by 154 runs |
4th ODI |
Mujeeb Ur Rahman (4/24) |
|
ODI Series 2018 |
Sharjah, UAE |
Feb 13, 2018 |
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe |
154 (34.3) | 155/0 (27.3) |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan won by 10 wickets |
3rd ODI |
Mohammad Shahzad (75*) |
|
ODI Series 2018 |
Sharjah, UAE |
Feb 11, 2018 |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan |
179 (44.4) | 180/5 (42.2) |
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe won by 5 wickets |
2nd ODI |
Brendan Taylor (125) |
|
ODI Series 2018 |
Sharjah, UAE |
Feb 9, 2018 |
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe |
134 (38) | 135/0 (21.4) |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan won by 10 wickets |
1st ODI |
Ihsanullah Janat (81*) |
|
ODI Series 2015 |
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe |
Oct 24, 2015 |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan |
271/6 (50) | 212 (46.4) |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan won by 59 runs |
5th ODI |
Mohammad Nabi (68 & 2/31) |
|
ODI Series 2015 |
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe |
Oct 22, 2015 |
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe |
248/7 (50) | 245/9 (50) |
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe won by 3 runs |
4th ODI |
Sean Williams (102) |
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Last 10 Test Matches
Test matches between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan are less frequent but showcase endurance and skill. Below are the last 10 Test encounters, though only two have occurred due to limited Test fixtures.
|
Tournament |
Venue |
Date |
Toss |
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe Score |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan Score |
Result |
Series |
Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Test Series 2021 |
Abu Dhabi, UAE |
Mar 10–14, 2021 |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan |
545/4d & 108/4 |
250 & 287 |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan won by 6 wickets |
2nd Test |
Hashmatullah Shahidi (200*) |
|
Test Series 2021 |
Abu Dhabi, UAE |
Mar 2–6, 2021 |
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe |
287 & 365 | 131 & 135 |
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe won by 10 wickets |
1st Test |
Sean Williams (105 & 151*) |
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Key Performances
The Zimbabwe-Afghanistan rivalry has produced standout performances that have turned matches. Here are some notable contributions from recent encounters.
|
Player |
Team |
Match |
Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sikandar Raza |
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe |
ODI Series 2024, Harare |
78 off 92 balls & 3/25, leading Zimbabwe to a 137-run win |
|
Rashid Khan |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan |
T20I Series 2024, Harare |
3/15 in 4 overs, restricting Zimbabwe to 154/7 |
|
Hashmatullah Shahidi |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan |
Test Series 2021, Abu Dhabi |
200* off 443 balls, anchoring Afghanistan’s 545/4d |
|
Sean Williams |
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe |
Test Series 2021, Abu Dhabi |
151* off 202 balls, guiding Zimbabwe to a 10-wicket win |
|
Rahmanullah Gurbaz |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan |
T20I Series 2024, Harare |
51* off 32 balls, chasing 128 in 16.3 overs |
|
Mohammad Nabi |
🇦🇫 Afghanistan |
T20I Series 2018, Sharjah |
45* off 26 balls & 2/16, securing a 5-wicket win |
|
Brendan Taylor |
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe |
ODI Series 2018, Sharjah |
125 off 121 balls, powering Zimbabwe’s 5-wicket victory |
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Rivalry Summary
The Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan rivalry is a testament to the rise of associate nations in global cricket, blending raw talent with tactical nous. Afghanistan’s spin-heavy attack, led by Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, has often outfoxed Zimbabwe’s batsmen, while Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza and Sean Williams have countered with match-defining performances. With both teams eyeing strong showings in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, emerging players like Azmatullah Omarzai and Blessing Muzarabani are set to shape this rivalry’s future.
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FAQs
Why is Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan a notable cricket rivalry?
The rivalry showcases two emerging cricket nations, with Afghanistan’s rapid rise and Zimbabwe’s resurgence creating competitive, high-stakes matches fueled by players like Rashid Khan and Sikandar Raza.
How to read a cricket scorecard?
A scorecard details runs, wickets, and overs. For example, “Zimbabwe 230/8 (50)” means 230 runs for 8 wickets in 50 overs. Check batting (runs, balls faced) and bowling (wickets, economy) for deeper insights.
Who are the key players in recent Zimbabwe-Afghanistan matches?
Sikandar Raza and Sean Williams for Zimbabwe, and Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Hashmatullah Shahidi for Afghanistan have delivered match-winning performances.
When is the next Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan match in 2025?
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy may feature a Zimbabwe-Afghanistan clash, though dates are unconfirmed. Check Cricbuzz or ESPNcricinfo for updates.
Why are T20Is between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan so competitive?
T20Is are close due to Afghanistan’s spin dominance and Zimbabwe’s aggressive batting, with matches like the 2024 series decided by tight margins and clutch performances.
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