The Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Timeline also tells a bigger story. Afghanistan moved from being an Associate side to becoming a strong international team, while Zimbabwe has remained an experienced Full Member side with plenty of cricketing history.
Their meetings have therefore become more than simple fixtures. They show how Afghanistan’s cricket has developed and how Zimbabwe has continued to challenge them across formats.
In this article, we will walk through the important stages of the rivalry, including the famous 2015 ODI series, the 2017 battles, the huge 2024-25 tour and the 2025 meetings.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general cricket information and historical reference. Match results, player statistics, schedules and future fixtures can change or be updated by official cricket authorities. Always verify current match information through an official cricket board or a trusted live-score provider before relying on it.
At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Teams | Afghanistan 🇦🇫 vs Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 |
| Primary Focus | Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Timeline |
| Formats Played | Test, ODI and T20I |
| Major Early Series | 2015 ODI series |
| Historic 2015 Result | Afghanistan won the ODI series 3-2 |
| 2024 T20I Series | Afghanistan won 2-1 |
| 2024 ODI Series | Afghanistan won 2-0, with 1 no-result |
| 2024-25 Test Series | Afghanistan won 1-0, with 1 draw |
| 2025 T20I Series | Afghanistan won 3-0 |
| Notable Afghanistan Players | Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran |
| Notable Zimbabwe Players | Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Brian Bennett |
| Main Rivalry Feature | Competitive matches across all three formats |
Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team: How It Started
The modern rivalry became especially interesting during the 2015 bilateral ODI series in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe won the opening ODI by eight wickets after Afghanistan were bowled out for 122. Wellington Masakadza produced an excellent spell of 4/21.
Afghanistan responded strongly in the second match. Mohammad Nabi scored 116, his maiden ODI century against Zimbabwe, as Afghanistan won by 58 runs and levelled the five-match series.
Zimbabwe then moved ahead again by winning the third ODI. Richmond Mutumbami’s 74 helped Zimbabwe chase 224 with two balls remaining.
Afghanistan, however, refused to let the series slip away.
They won the fourth ODI by three wickets, setting up a winner-takes-the-series final.
The fifth ODI became one of the most important matches in the Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Timeline.
Afghanistan scored 245/9 and bowled Zimbabwe out for 172. Dawlat Zadran played a key role with the ball, while Sean Williams made 102 for Zimbabwe. Afghanistan won by 73 runs and took the series 3-2.
It was historically significant because Afghanistan became the first Associate nation to win a bilateral ODI series against a Full Member side.
2015: Afghanistan Also Makes Its Mark in T20Is
The rivalry did not stop with ODIs.
Afghanistan and Zimbabwe also played a two-match T20I series in October 2015.
In the first T20I, Zimbabwe made 153/5 after useful contributions from Sikandar Raza and Chamu Chibhabha. Afghanistan chased the target in 19.1 overs and won by six wickets. Dawlat Zadran took three wickets, while Mohammad Nabi and Najibullah Zadran finished the chase strongly.
This period established an important pattern in the Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Timeline: Zimbabwe could put pressure on Afghanistan, but Afghanistan had developed the ability to fight back quickly.
2016: Another ODI Series Thriller
The teams met again in a five-match ODI series in the United Arab Emirates in January 2016.
The final ODI was particularly memorable.
Zimbabwe scored 248, with Hamilton Masakadza making 110. Afghanistan’s chase looked in danger at 121/5 before Gulbadin Naib produced an unbeaten 82 from 68 balls.
Naib and Rashid Khan added an important seventh-wicket partnership, helping Afghanistan win by two wickets with two balls remaining.
Afghanistan won the series 3-2.
For anyone studying the Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Matches, this series is a good example of how competitive their early bilateral contests were.
2017: Afghanistan Produce Another Big ODI Finish
The next major chapter came in February 2017.
Afghanistan and Zimbabwe played another five-match ODI series in Harare. The final match was reduced by rain, but Afghanistan still produced a huge result.
Afghanistan scored 253/9. Zimbabwe were then bowled out for only 54 in 13.5 overs.
Mohammad Nabi and Amir Hamza each took three wickets. Afghanistan won by 106 runs under the DLS method and claimed the series 3-2.
That result became another memorable entry in the Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Timeline.
A Quick Look at the Early Rivalry
| Year | Format | Major Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | ODI | Afghanistan won series 3-2 |
| 2015 | T20I | Afghanistan won first T20I |
| 2016 | ODI | Afghanistan won series 3-2 |
| 2017 | ODI | Afghanistan won series 3-2 |
| 2024 | T20I | Afghanistan won series 2-1 |
| 2024-25 | ODI | Afghanistan won series 2-0, one no-result |
| 2024-25 | Tests | Afghanistan won series 1-0, one draw |
The figures above show how frequently the rivalry has produced competitive series rather than isolated matches. ICC’s preview for the 2024 tour noted that Afghanistan already held an advantage in ODIs and T20Is, while the Test head-to-head had been level at one win apiece after their earlier encounters.
2024: Zimbabwe Strike First in the T20I Series
The next major chapter came in December 2024.
The first T20I at Harare Sports Club was close. Afghanistan scored 144/6, but Zimbabwe reached 145/6 and won by four wickets. Brian Bennett was named Player of the Match after scoring 49.
That made the opening of the series interesting. If you were following Zim vs Afg T20, the hosts had the early advantage.
But Afghanistan responded immediately.
In the second T20I, Afghanistan scored 153/6, led by Darwish Rasooli’s 58 from 42 balls. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 103, giving Afghanistan a 50-run victory.
The series was now 1-1.
Then came the decider.
Zimbabwe were dismissed for 127. Rashid Khan took 4/27, while Afghanistan completed the chase at 128/7 with three balls remaining. Mohammad Nabi finished unbeaten on 24, and Afghanistan won the series 2-1.
That close finish is one of the most entertaining sections of the Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Timeline.
2024 ODI Series: Afghanistan Turn Up the Pressure
The ODI series was even more one-sided.
The first ODI was abandoned because of rain after Zimbabwe reached 44/5.
The second ODI, however, was completely different.
Afghanistan posted 286/6. Sediqullah Atal scored 104, while Abdul Malik made 84.
Zimbabwe were then bowled out for just 54 in 17.5 overs.
Afghanistan won by 232 runs.
The third ODI was much more comfortable for Afghanistan too. Zimbabwe made 127, and Afghanistan chased it in 26.5 overs, winning by eight wickets.
So, officially, Afghanistan took the ODI series 2-0 with one match ending without a result.
2024-25 Tests: When the Numbers Got Huge
Now we reach perhaps the most fascinating part of the Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Timeline.
The two sides played two Tests in Bulawayo.
The first Test was a run-fest.
Afghanistan scored a national-record 699. Hashmatullah Shahidi made 246, while Zimbabwe responded with 586, their highest Test total at the time.
The match ended in a draw after Zimbabwe reached 142/4 in their second innings.
The second Test was completely different.
Afghanistan scored 363 in their first innings and 157 in the second. Zimbabwe made 243 and 205.
Afghanistan won by 72 runs and took the two-match Test series 1-0.
That contrast says a lot about Test cricket: one match can produce more than 1,200 runs, while the next can become a tense battle where every wicket feels expensive.
Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Match Scorecard Highlights
Here are some of the major scorecard moments from the recent rivalry:
| Match | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 1st T20I | ZIM 145/6, AFG 144/6 | Zimbabwe won by 4 wickets |
| 2024 2nd T20I | AFG 153/6, ZIM 103 | Afghanistan won by 50 runs |
| 2024 3rd T20I | ZIM 127, AFG 128/7 | Afghanistan won by 3 wickets |
| 2024 2nd ODI | AFG 286/6, ZIM 54 | Afghanistan won by 232 runs |
| 2024 3rd ODI | ZIM 127, AFG 131/2 | Afghanistan won by 8 wickets |
| 2024 1st Test | AFG 699, ZIM 586 & 142/4 | Match drawn |
| 2025 1st T20I | AFG 180/6, ZIM 127 | Afghanistan won by 53 runs |
| 2025 2nd T20I | AFG 129/3, ZIM 125 | Afghanistan won by 7 wickets |
| 2025 3rd T20I | AFG 210/3, ZIM 201 | Afghanistan won by 9 runs |
The 2025 match results are recorded by Cricbuzz’s series page.
2025: Another T20I Sweep
The 2025 series added another fresh chapter.
In the first T20I, Afghanistan scored 180/6. Ibrahim Zadran made 52 from 33 balls, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 39 from 25. Zimbabwe were restricted to 127, giving Afghanistan a 53-run win.
The second T20I was even more controlled.
Zimbabwe managed 125 before Afghanistan chased the target in 18 overs. Afghanistan won by seven wickets and took an unassailable 2-0 lead.
The third T20I produced another close finish.
Gurbaz smashed 92 from 48 balls as Afghanistan reached 210/3. Zimbabwe fought back with 201 all out, but Afghanistan held on to win by nine runs.
The T20I series therefore finished 3-0 in Afghanistan’s favour.
Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Stats: Players to Watch
Looking at Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Stats gives us some interesting names.
In the 2025 T20I series, Ibrahim Zadran led Afghanistan’s run charts with 169 runs from three matches. Rahmanullah Gurbaz followed with 147.
For Zimbabwe, Sikandar Raza scored 89 and Brian Bennett made 87.
On the bowling side, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Abdullah Ahmadzai both finished with seven wickets, while Brad Evans took five for Zimbabwe.
Rashid Khan remains another major name in this rivalry. During the 2024-25 tour, he took 11 wickets in the two-Test series, including a match-winning spell in the second Test.
What Makes This Rivalry Interesting?
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team rivalry has several different personalities.
In T20Is, matches can move quickly. One over can change everything.
In ODIs, Afghanistan have often been able to build pressure through spin and disciplined bowling.
Tests are a completely different story. The 2024 Boxing Day Test showed that both batting line-ups can produce enormous totals.
This is also why searches such as Zim vs Afg Live, Zim vs Afg Live Score, Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Live Score, and Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan T20 attract plenty of interest whenever the teams meet.
For live fixtures, readers should always check a current score provider because schedules, start times and match status can change.
Expert Opinion
Expert insight: The most useful way to understand this rivalry is not to look only at wins and losses. The format matters.
Afghanistan’s rise has been especially visible in white-ball cricket, where their spin options and aggressive batting can change games quickly. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, have shown that they can challenge Afghanistan with experienced players and strong home conditions.
The 2024-25 tour was a perfect example. Zimbabwe won the opening T20I, Afghanistan recovered to win the series, the ODI series went Afghanistan’s way, the first Test was drawn after enormous totals, and Afghanistan then won the second Test.
That variety is exactly what makes the rivalry worth following.
Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Matches: Where to Check Scorecards
For detailed Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Match Scorecard information, readers can use established cricket score providers.
Your supplied reference is the Cricbuzz series match page, which lists the 2025 tour matches and results:
Cricbuzz – Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2025 Matches
For broader historical context, the ICC also published the schedule and head-to-head information before the 2024 tour.
ICC – Afghanistan to Tour Zimbabwe for a Multi-Format Series
Conclusion
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Timeline is packed with comebacks, close chases, huge totals and memorable bowling spells.
From Afghanistan’s historic 2015 bilateral ODI series victory to the dramatic 2016 and 2017 ODI contests, the rivalry has continued to evolve.
The 2024-25 tour added another major chapter. Afghanistan won the T20I series 2-1, the ODI series 2-0 with one no-result, and the Test series 1-0 after a drawn opening Test.
Then came the 2025 T20I series, where Afghanistan completed a 3-0 sweep.
For fans checking Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Stats, the numbers tell only part of the story. The real attraction is how quickly the momentum can change when these teams meet.
Whether you search for Zim vs Afg Today Match, Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Live, or Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Tickets, it is worth checking the latest official schedule because match dates and venues can change.
And if history is anything to go by, the next chapter of the Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Timeline should have plenty of cricketing drama of its own.
FAQs
1. When did Afghanistan and Zimbabwe first play each other?
Their international rivalry dates back to Afghanistan’s early years in international cricket. One of the major early bilateral series came in 2015, when Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe 3-2 in a five-match ODI series.
2. Who won the 2015 Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe ODI series?
Afghanistan won the five-match series 3-2. The result was historic because it was Afghanistan’s first bilateral ODI series win against a Full Member nation.
3. Who won the Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe T20I series in 2024?
Afghanistan won the three-match T20I series 2-1. Zimbabwe won the first match, but Afghanistan won the next two.
4. What happened in the 2024 Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Test series?
The first Test ended in a draw after Afghanistan scored 699 and Zimbabwe replied with 586. Afghanistan then won the second Test by 72 runs and took the series 1-0.
5. What was Afghanistan’s biggest ODI win over Zimbabwe?
Afghanistan won by 232 runs in the second ODI at Harare in December 2024. Afghanistan scored 286/6 before dismissing Zimbabwe for 54.
Thank you for reading! We hope this Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Timeline helped you understand the major moments and results between the two sides.
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