The latest cricketing rivalry between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan has been the cricketing opposition between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan that has been admired in recent years, which has led to those thrilling matches in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. However, Afghanistan has emerged as a powerhouse in limited overs cricket, whereas Zimbabwe has kept itself going, especially in Test cricket. Afghanistan has had a few historic performances, from Hashmatullah Shahidi’s all-time Tests score (246) to the massive 232-run win over India in an ODI in 2024.
For two teams aiming for consistency and growing their careers, their contests are providing fans high-intensity cricket and memorable moments. In this article, detailed Zimbabwe national cricket team vs. Afghanistan national cricket team stats , important matches, and big performances from both nations are brought to light.
Head-to-Head Summary: Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Stats
Before delving into the format-wise breakdown, we will take a look at the overall head-to-head records of Zimbabwe and Afghanistan.
| Format | Matches Played | Zimbabwe Won | Afghanistan Won | Draw/Tie/No Result |
| Tests | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| ODIs | 31 | 10 | 20 | 1 |
| T20Is | 18 | 2 | 16 | 0 |
In limited overs format, Afghanistan is far stronger than Zimbabwe, but in Test cricket both sides have been much in parity.
Test Matches: A Balanced Contest
There have been four Test matches between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan, with the first psychology between the two coming in March 2021. Both teams won one match to finish the series level. In the series that Tests against Afghanistan from December 2024 to January 2025, Afghanistan registered a win while a match was drawn.
Test Match Results
| Date | Venue | Result |
| Mar 2-6, 2021 | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, UAE | Zimbabwe won by 10 wickets |
| Mar 10-14, 2021 | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, UAE | Afghanistan won by 6 wickets |
| Dec 26-30, 2024 | Queens Sports Club, ZIM | Match drawn |
| Jan 2-6, 2025 | Queens Sports Club, ZIM | Afghanistan won by 72 runs |
Afghanistan has slightly the better of these encounters with two wins to Zimbabwe’s one and a draw. The massive first inns total of 699 runs that Afghanistan posted is noted when Hashmatullah Shahidi registered 246 runs, which remains the best Test score by an Afghainningstsman to date.
ODI Matches: Afghanistan’s Dominance
Zimbabwe has been no match for Afghanistan in ODIs, beating them only on 11 occasions. Only 10 wins have been turned in by Zimbabwe, with one match finishing without a result.
ODI Match Results
| Date | Venue | Result |
| Jun 4, 2022 | Harare Sports Club, ZIM | Afghanistan won by 60 runs |
| Jun 6, 2022 | Harare Sports Club, ZIM | Afghanistan won by 8 wickets |
| Jun 9, 2022 | Harare Sports Club, ZIM | Afghanistan won by 4 wickets |
| Dec 17, 2024 | Harare Sports Club, ZIM | No Result |
| Dec 19, 2024 | Harare Sports Club, ZIM | Afghanistan won by 232 runs |
| Dec 21, 2024 | Harare Sports Club, ZIM | Afghanistan won by 8 wickets |
In the 2024 December series, Zimbabwe was completely outplayed by Afghanistan, and a huge 232-run win was registered in the second ODI. Zimbabwe has never had a good record against Afghanistan in this format and the latter’s powerful batting and quality bowling attack have always troubled them.
T20I Matches: Afghanistan’s Unmatched Supremacy
Zimbabwe has been utterly dominated by Afghanistan in T20Is; the Afghans have won 16 out of 18 matches between the sides. Zimbabwe’s only two wins occurred in 2019 and December 2024.
T20I Match Results
| Date | Venue | Result |
| Jun 11, 2022 | Harare Sports Club, ZIM | Afghanistan won by 6 wickets |
| Jun 12, 2022 | Harare Sports Club, ZIM | Afghanistan won by 21 runs |
| Jun 14, 2022 | Harare Sports Club, ZIM | Afghanistan won by 35 runs |
| Dec 11, 2024 | Harare Sports Club, ZIM | Zimbabwe won by 4 wickets |
| Dec 13, 2024 | Harare Sports Club, ZIM | Afghanistan won by 50 runs |
| Dec 14, 2024 | Harare Sports Club, ZIM | Afghanistan won by 3 wickets |
Key Individual Performances
Top Performers in Batting
| Player | Team | Format | Runs Scored | Best Score |
| Hashmatullah Shahidi | Afghanistan | Test | 460+ | 246 |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Afghanistan | ODI | 850+ | 152 |
| Sikandar Raza | Zimbabwe | All | 1200+ | 141* |
| Sean Williams | Zimbabwe | ODI | 780+ | 129 |
Top Performers in Bowling
| Player | Team | Format | Wickets Taken | Best Figures |
| Rashid Khan | Afghanistan | T20I | 30+ | 5/18 |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | Afghanistan | ODI | 25+ | 4/28 |
| Blessing Muzarabani | Zimbabwe | Test | 15+ | 5/39 |
| Mohammad Nabi | Afghanistan | All | 50+ | 4/15 (T20I) |
Rashid Khan has been the best bowler of the ball against Zimbabwe in T20Is, boasting close to 30 wickets. Meanwhile, pace bowling by Blessing Muzarabani has been Zimbabwe’s best Test asset.
Key Takeaways:
- ODIs and T20Is have been an Indian affair because Afghanistan has won 20 out of 31 matches and 16 out of 18 T20Is, respectively.
- Despite this, Zimbabwe maintains a higher level of competitiveness in Tests, ranking 1-2.
- For Afghanistan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Rashid Khan have excelled already.
- Zimbabwe’s standout players are indeed Sikandar Raza and Blessing Muzarabani.
Conclusion
It has become quite an exciting rivalry in the cricketing encounters between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan. Afghanistan’s dominance in limited overs formats (ODIs and T20Is) has been in their aggressive batting and spin bowling revolution, while for Zimbabwe they are proving to be stiff in tests. As both teams progress, their upcoming contests are foreseen to be even more revolutionary. Will Zimbabwe make a comeback, or will Afghanistan extend their spoils? Only time will tell! This was the Zimbabwe national cricket team vs Afghanistan national cricket team stats.
FAQs
Ans. Taking ODIs into account, Afghanistan is ahead with more wins (20-10), while in T20Is Afghanistan has more wins (16-2). Afghanistan is leading 2-1 with one game drawn in Tests.
Ans. Zimbabwe and Afghanistan played their first Test match starting March 2-6, 2021, at UAE, in which Zimbabwe beat Afghanistan by 10 wickets.
Ans. In December 2024, Hashmatullah Shahidi ranked at the top with 246 runs in a Test match.
Ans. Blessing Muzarabani (Zimbabwe): highest Test wicket taker for them and over 30 T20I wickets as well; Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) has also over 30 in T20Is.
Ans. A second innings defeat in Johannesburg followed, but it was Zimbabwe’s biggest win with a 10-wicket first innings win in the first Test in 2021.
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