The Afghanistan national cricket team vs Zimbabwe national cricket team timeline is a fascinating story of cricket’s growth. Afghanistan has risen from an unknown beginner to a strong international side. Zimbabwe has fought with experience and resilience. Together, they have given fans many exciting matches over the years. Their rivalry covers ODIs, T20Is, and Tests. Every format tells a different story. Afghanistan’s spin bowlers, especially Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, have been match-winners. Zimbabwe’s batters, such as Sikandar Raza and Ben Curran, have fought back. This article covers every important match, record, and player from the start to 2026.
First Match Between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe
The first official meeting between these two teams was in January 2010. It took place during the ICC World Cricket League Championship. It was an ODI in Sharjah, UAE. Zimbabwe showed more experience that day and won comfortably. Afghanistan was young and learning, but its fighting spirit was already visible.
| Date | Venue | Format | AFG Score | ZIM Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 22, 2010 | Sharjah, UAE | ODI | 197/9 (50 overs) | 198/4 (44.5 overs) | Zimbabwe won by 6 wickets |
That match showed an early gap in experience. Zimbabwe batted smartly and chased down Afghanistan’s total with six wickets to spare. It was a learning moment for the Afghan side.
Early Encounters (2009–2013)
In the early years of the Afghanistan national cricket team vs Zimbabwe national cricket team timeline, Zimbabwe was clearly the stronger side. They had more ICC experience, professional players, and Test status. Afghanistan was still climbing the ranks. But this period gave Afghanistan important exposure. They learned how to compete at a higher level. Their spin bowling began to show promise even in these losses.
| Year | Tournament | Format | Venue | Result | Key Player |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | ICC World Cricket League | ODI | Sharjah, UAE | Zimbabwe won by 6 wkts | Brendan Taylor (ZIM) |
| 2011 | ICC World T20 Qualifier | T20I | UAE | Zimbabwe won by 24 runs | Elton Chigumbura (ZIM) |
| 2012 | ICC World T20 | T20I | Sri Lanka | Afghanistan won by 6 wkts | Nawroz Mangal (AFG) |
| 2013 | ICC World Cricket League | ODI | Zimbabwe | Zimbabwe won by 5 wkts | Hamilton Masakadza (ZIM) |
Zimbabwe won most early clashes, but Afghanistan grabbed a key T20I win at the 2012 ICC World Twenty20. That was a signal — this team was ready to compete.
Afghanistan’s Rise (2014–2017)
Between 2014 and 2017, Afghanistan transformed. The team started winning big matches in ICC events. Their spin attack became world-famous. Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi took the lead. Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe at the 2015 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand — a huge moment. The Afghanistan national cricket team vs Zimbabwe national cricket team timeline shifted direction completely in this phase.
| Year | Series / Event | Format | Venue | Result | Star Performer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | ICC World T20 | T20I | Bangladesh | Afghanistan won by 1 wicket | Samiullah Shenwari (AFG) |
| 2015 | ICC Cricket World Cup | ODI | Nelson, NZ | Afghanistan won by 6 runs | Shapoor Zadran (AFG) |
| 2016 | Afghanistan bilateral | T20I | Sharjah, UAE | Afghanistan won series 2–1 | Rashid Khan (AFG) |
| 2017 | ICC Intercontinental Cup | Test | Bulawayo, ZIM | Zimbabwe won by innings | Sikandar Raza (ZIM) |
| 2017 | ODI Bilateral | ODI | Harare, ZIM | Afghanistan won series 3–2 | Mohammad Nabi (AFG) |
Afghanistan won bilateral ODI series 3–2 in Zimbabwe during 2017. They lost a Test to Zimbabwe, but the ODI strength was clear. Their aggressive batting and sharp spin gave opponents little room.
Close Contests and Turning Points (2018–2019)
From 2018 to 2019, both teams produced some of their best cricket in this rivalry. Matches were decided in final overs. The 2018 Asia Cup produced a historic finish — Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by just 3 runs off the last ball. These years showed how competitive both teams had become. Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza was their best all-rounder during this stretch.
| Year | Event | Format | Venue | Result / Margin | Top Player |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Asia Cup | ODI | Abu Dhabi, UAE | Afghanistan won by 3 runs (last-ball thriller) | Rashid Khan (AFG) |
| 2018 | ICC World T20 Qualifier | T20I | Zimbabwe | Series drawn 1–1 | Sikandar Raza (ZIM) |
| 2019 | ICC Cricket World Cup | ODI | Cardiff, UK | Zimbabwe won by 34 runs | Solomon Mire (ZIM) |
| 2019 | ODI Bilateral | ODI | Sharjah, UAE | Afghanistan won series 3–1 | Hazratullah Zazai (AFG) |
Zimbabwe’s World Cup win in 2019 showed they could still upset strong teams. But Afghanistan’s overall head-to-head record kept improving steadily.
Afghanistan Takes the Lead (2020–2021)
This was the phase when Afghanistan clearly became the dominant side in the Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe cricket timeline. They swept T20I series, won the ODI series, and took a Test match too. Zimbabwe was rebuilding its squad. Afghanistan had a well-settled lineup with world-class spinners. Their batting also matured with players like Hazratullah Zazai and Najibullah Zadran firing consistently.
| Year | Series | Format | Venue | Result | Man of Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | AFG bilateral tour | T20I | Kabul, AFG | Afghanistan won series 3–0 | Najibullah Zadran (AFG) |
| 2021 | ODI Series (3-match) | ODI | Harare, ZIM | Afghanistan won series 2–1 | Mohammad Nabi (AFG) |
| 2021 | One-off Test | Test | Harare, ZIM | Afghanistan won by 72 runs | Rashid Khan (AFG) |
| 2021 | T20I Series (3-match) | T20I | Harare, ZIM | Afghanistan won series 2–1 | Mujeeb Ur Rahman (AFG) |
The 2021 Test win in Harare was a landmark. Rashid Khan took a five-wicket haul and also scored important runs. Afghanistan proved they could compete at the highest level in Test cricket too.
T20 Battles (2022)
The year 2022 brought some of the most entertaining T20I cricket between these two sides. Both teams traded blows across multiple series. Afghanistan still led overall, but Zimbabwe showed they could win T20Is. The ICC T20 World Cup 2022 match in Perth was a big upset — Zimbabwe beat Afghanistan by 5 wickets. Fast pitches suited Zimbabwe’s pace attack that day.
| Date | Tournament | Format | Venue | Scores | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2022 | AFG vs ZIM Series G1 | T20I | Sharjah, UAE | AFG 164/5 vs ZIM 128 | Afghanistan by 36 runs |
| Feb 2022 | AFG vs ZIM Series G2 | T20I | Sharjah, UAE | AFG 159/7 vs ZIM 163/5 | Zimbabwe by 5 wickets |
| Feb 2022 | AFG vs ZIM Series G3 | T20I | Sharjah, UAE | ZIM 141/7 vs AFG 142/3 | Afghanistan by 7 wickets |
| Nov 2022 | ICC T20 World Cup | T20I | Perth, AUS | AFG 134/6 vs ZIM 136/3 | Zimbabwe by 5 wickets |
| Nov 2022 | AFG bilateral T20I G2 | T20I | Harare, ZIM | ZIM 149/8 vs AFG 151/4 | Afghanistan by 6 wickets |
T20I cricket showed Zimbabwe’s unpredictability. They could turn a game around quickly. Afghanistan’s spin was less effective on Australian bouncy pitches in that World Cup match.
Recent Matches and New Stars (2023–2024)
The 2023–2024 phase brought new faces to both sides. Rahmanullah Gurbaz became Afghanistan’s power-packed opener. Sediqullah Atal and Azmatullah Omarzai emerged as match-winners. For Zimbabwe, Brian Bennett and Ben Curran were developing into reliable performers. Afghanistan’s December 2024 ODI win by 232 runs — dismissing Zimbabwe for just 54 — is the biggest victory in this rivalry’s history.
| Date | Series | Format | Venue | Result | POTM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2023 | AFG tour of ZIM – ODI 1 | ODI | Harare, ZIM | Afghanistan won by 86 runs | Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG) |
| Aug 2023 | AFG tour of ZIM – ODI 2 | ODI | Harare, ZIM | Afghanistan won by 5 wickets | Fazalhaq Farooqi (AFG) |
| Aug 2023 | AFG tour of ZIM – T20I 1 | T20I | Harare, ZIM | Zimbabwe won by 8 wickets | Sikandar Raza (ZIM) |
| Aug 2023 | AFG tour of ZIM – T20I 2 | T20I | Harare, ZIM | Afghanistan won by 14 runs | Rashid Khan (AFG) |
| Dec 2024 | AFG tour of ZIM – T20I 1 | T20I | Harare, ZIM | Zimbabwe won by 4 wickets (145–144) | Brian Bennett (ZIM) |
| Dec 2024 | AFG tour of ZIM – T20I 2 | T20I | Harare, ZIM | Afghanistan won by 50 runs (153/6–103) | Darwish Rasooli (AFG) |
| Dec 2024 | AFG tour of ZIM – T20I 3 | T20I | Harare, ZIM | Afghanistan won by 3 wickets (128/7–127) | Azmatullah Omarzai (AFG) |
| Dec 2024 | AFG tour of ZIM – ODI 1 | ODI | Harare, ZIM | No result (rain, match abandoned) | — |
| Dec 2024 | AFG tour of ZIM – ODI 2 | ODI | Harare, ZIM | Afghanistan won by 232 runs (286/6–54) | Sediqullah Atal (AFG) |
| Dec 2024 | AFG tour of ZIM – ODI 3 | ODI | Harare, ZIM | Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (131/2–127) | Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar (AFG) |
The high number of Afghanistan wins in this period shows how much the team has grown. But Zimbabwe’s T20I win on December 11, 2024 showed they can still produce upsets in the right conditions.
Latest Updates (2025–2026)
The 2025 chapter of the Afghanistan national cricket team vs Zimbabwe national cricket team timeline has been dramatic. Zimbabwe shocked Afghanistan with an innings victory in the Harare Test — their biggest Test win in this rivalry. But Afghanistan bounced back hard, sweeping the T20I series 3–0. The Nov 2, 2025 T20I saw Afghanistan post 210/3 — their highest T20I score against Zimbabwe. Both teams continue to push each other hard.
| Date | Series | Format | Venue | Result | POTM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 26–30, 2024 | AFG tour of ZIM – Test 1 | Test | Bulawayo, ZIM | Match drawn (699–586 & 142/4) | Hashmatullah Shahidi (AFG) |
| Jan 2–6, 2025 | AFG tour of ZIM – Test 2 | Test | Bulawayo, ZIM | Afghanistan won by 72 runs | Rashid Khan (AFG) |
| Oct 20–22, 2025 | AFG tour of ZIM – Test | Test | Harare, ZIM | Zimbabwe won by innings & 73 runs | Ben Curran (ZIM) |
| Oct 29, 2025 | AFG tour of ZIM – T20I 1 | T20I | Harare, ZIM | Afghanistan won by 53 runs (180/6–127) | Azmatullah Omarzai (AFG) |
| Oct 31, 2025 | AFG tour of ZIM – T20I 2 | T20I | Harare, ZIM | Afghanistan won by 7 wickets (129/3–125) | Rashid Khan (AFG) |
| Nov 2, 2025 | AFG tour of ZIM – T20I 3 | T20I | Harare, ZIM | Afghanistan won by 9 runs (210/3–201) | Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG) |
| 2026 | ICC Events / Bilateral | TBA | TBA | Upcoming — watch for new series | TBA |
Zimbabwe’s Test improvement under new coach input and Ben Curran’s centuries signal a resurgent red-ball side. But Afghanistan’s white-ball dominance, led by Gurbaz and Rashid Khan, remains very hard to challenge.
Head-to-Head Record in All Formats
Across all formats, Afghanistan leads this rivalry comfortably. They are strongest in T20Is with a win rate of ~88%. ODIs show a solid 65% win rate. Test cricket is closest, with Zimbabwe winning their most recent Test. The overall picture makes clear that Afghanistan has become the superior team across formats in the 2020s.
| Format | Total Matches | AFG Wins | ZIM Wins | Draw / NR / Tied | AFG Win% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 4–5 | 2 | 1–2 | 1 Draw | ~44% |
| ODIs | 31 | 20 | 10 | 1 NR | 65% |
| T20Is | 17–18 | 15–16 | 2 | — | ~88% |
| Overall | ~53 | ~38 | ~14 | ~2 | ~72% |
Read Related Article : Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Timeline
Most Memorable Matches
- 2015 World Cup, Nelson — Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by 6 runs. Shapoor Zadran took key wickets at the death. Afghanistan’s first major ICC event win against Zimbabwe.
- 2018 Asia Cup, Abu Dhabi — Afghanistan won by 3 runs off the last ball. Rashid Khan bowled the final over under pressure and held his nerve.
- Dec 19, 2024, Harare (ODI) — Afghanistan won by 232 runs. Zimbabwe collapsed to 54 all out chasing 287. Still the biggest margin of victory in this rivalry.
- Dec 26–30, 2024, Bulawayo (Test) — Match drawn. Hashmatullah Shahidi scored a double century. Afghanistan finished on 699 in the first innings — their highest Test total.
- Dec 11, 2024, Harare (T20I) — Zimbabwe won by 4 wickets. Brian Bennett guided a tense 145-run chase. One of Zimbabwe’s very few T20I wins in this rivalry.
- Jan 2–6, 2025, Bulawayo (Test) — Afghanistan won by 72 runs. Rashid Khan took a five-wicket haul. Afghanistan’s most complete Test performance in Zimbabwe.
- Oct 20–22, 2025, Harare (Test) — Zimbabwe won by an innings and 73 runs. Ben Curran’s century set it up. Afghanistan bowled out twice for 127 and 159.
- Nov 2, 2025, Harare (T20I) — Afghanistan posted 210/3 in 20 overs — their highest T20I score against Zimbabwe. Won by 9 runs in a high-scoring finish.
Biggest Wins and Narrow Finishes
The rivalry has produced both one-sided thrashings and last-ball heart-stoppers. The table below captures the most extreme results on both ends:
| Date | Format | Winner | Margin | Scores | Why Memorable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 19, 2024 | ODI | Afghanistan | 232 runs | 286/6 vs 54 all out | Biggest-ever AFG ODI victory |
| Dec 21, 2024 | ODI | Afghanistan | 8 wickets | 131/2 vs 127 | Dominant chase in rain-hit series |
| Oct 20–22, 2025 | Test | Zimbabwe | Innings & 73 runs | 359 vs 127 & 159 | Zimbabwe’s biggest Test win vs AFG |
| Oct 29, 2025 | T20I | Afghanistan | 53 runs | 180/6 vs 127 | Explosive batting, spin collapse |
| Dec 13, 2024 | T20I | Afghanistan | 50 runs | 153/6 vs 103 | Crushing T20I win, dominant bowling |
| Dec 11, 2024 | T20I | Zimbabwe | 4 wickets | 145 vs 144/6 | Last-over thriller, rare ZIM T20I win |
| Dec 14, 2024 | T20I | Afghanistan | 3 wickets | 128/7 vs 127 | Nail-biting low-scoring finish |
| Jan 2–6, 2025 | Test | Afghanistan | 72 runs | 157 & 363 vs 243 & 205 | Rashid Khan’s Test masterclass |
Read Related Article : Bangladesh National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Timeline
Best Batting and Bowling Performances
Individual brilliance has often decided these matches. Key performers like Rashid Khan and Hashmatullah Shahidi have shaped the timeline of the Afghanistan and Zimbabwe national cricket teams.
| Player | Team | Format | Venue & Year | Performance | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rashid Khan | Afghanistan | ODI / Test | Multiple venues | 100+ wickets across formats | Chief destroyer of ZIM batting |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Afghanistan | T20I | Harare, 2025 | Player of Match – 210/3 total | Explosive opening in series decider |
| Hashmatullah Shahidi | Afghanistan | Test | Bulawayo, Dec 2024 | Double ton in 699-run total | First AFG Test double century |
| Sediqullah Atal | Afghanistan | ODI | Harare, Dec 2024 | Key knocks in 286/6 total | Led 232-run crushing win |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | Afghanistan | T20I | Harare, Oct 2025 | Batting + wickets – 53-run win | All-round T20I masterclass |
| Ben Curran | Zimbabwe | Test | Harare, Oct 2025 | Centurion in innings win | Powered ZIM’s biggest Test win |
| Sikandar Raza | Zimbabwe | ODI / T20I | Multiple venues | 600+ runs + 50+ wickets vs AFG | ZIM’s most consistent player |
| Brian Bennett | Zimbabwe | T20I | Harare, Dec 2024 | Match-winning 4-wkt T20I upset | Rare ZIM T20I hero |
| Mohammad Nabi | Afghanistan | ODI | Harare, 2021 | Man of Series – 3 matches | Spin and batting all-rounder |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | Afghanistan | T20I | Harare, 2021 | 4 wickets in match | Economy 5.00 – lethal in T20Is |
Players Who Made the Difference
Afghanistan players:
- Rashid Khan — Leg-spin bowler. Took the most wickets in this rivalry across all three formats. Won Player of the Match multiple times in ODIs, T20Is, and Tests against Zimbabwe.
- Mohammad Nabi — Off-spin all-rounder. Won Man of the Series in the 2021 ODI series in Harare with key runs and wickets in all three matches.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz — Opening batter. Scored at a high strike rate in the 2025 T20I series. Player of the Match in the Nov 2, 2025 T20I where Afghanistan posted 210/3.
- Hashmatullah Shahidi — Test middle-order batter. Scored Afghanistan’s first-ever Test double century in the Dec 2024 Bulawayo Test during a team total of 699.
- Azmatullah Omarzai — All-rounder. Won Player of the Match in the Oct 29, 2025 T20I (53-run win) and contributed in Test cricket during the 2024–25 tours.
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman — Mystery spinner. Maintained an economy rate below 6.00 in T20Is against Zimbabwe. Especially effective in the powerplay overs.
- Sediqullah Atal — Batter. Key contributor in Afghanistan’s record ODI win on Dec 19, 2024 — the match where Zimbabwe were dismissed for 54.
Zimbabwe players:
- Sikandar Raza — All-rounder. Zimbabwe’s top run-scorer and wicket-taker in this rivalry. His performances have prevented bigger defeats in multiple series.
- Ben Curran — Test batter. Scored a century in the Oct 2025 Harare Test. His knock led Zimbabwe to a win by innings and 73 runs. This is their largest Test victory in this rivalry.
- Brian Bennett — T20I batter. Guided Zimbabwe to a 4-wicket win on Dec 11, 2024, chasing 145 in 20 overs. One of Zimbabwe’s rare T20I victories against Afghanistan.
Key Records and Statistics
Across the full Afghanistan national cricket team vs Zimbabwe national cricket team timeline, several records stand out. Afghanistan’s biggest ODI win by 232 runs in December 2024 is a rivalry record. Their highest T20I total — 210/3 on November 2, 2025 — is equally stunning. Zimbabwe’s innings and 73-run Test win in October 2025 is their best Test result in this fixture. Rashid Khan holds the most wickets for Afghanistan in this rivalry across formats. Sikandar Raza has scored the most runs for Zimbabwe. Afghanistan’s overall win rate of ~72% across all matches confirms their growing superiority. But Zimbabwe’s Test improvement shows Afghanistan national cricket team vs Zimbabwe national cricket team timeline rivalry still has room for surprises.
Conclusion
The Afghanistan national cricket team vs Zimbabwe national cricket team timeline is one of cricket’s most exciting growth stories. Afghanistan started as underdogs and became a dominant force in ODIs and T20Is. Zimbabwe, despite difficult years, continues to fight with quality players like Sikandar Raza and Ben Curran. The rivalry has given fans stunning collapses, big individual centuries, last-ball finishes, and record scores. As both teams prepare for 2026 ICC events and future bilaterals, this contest promises more drama. Watch this space — the best chapters may still be ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When did Afghanistan and Zimbabwe play their first official match?
Afghanistan and Zimbabwe played their first official ODI in January 2010 in Sharjah, UAE. Zimbabwe won that match by 6 wickets. It was part of the ICC World Cricket League Championship.
Who has the most wickets in this rivalry?
Rashid Khan of Afghanistan is the leading wicket-taker in this rivalry. His leg-spin has been devastating across ODIs, T20Is, and Tests. He has won multiple Player of the Match awards against Zimbabwe.
What is Afghanistan’s biggest win over Zimbabwe?
Afghanistan’s biggest win was by 232 runs in an ODI on December 19, 2024, in Harare. Zimbabwe was bowled out for just 54 runs chasing Afghanistan’s total of 286/6. It is a record of rivalry.
What is Zimbabwe’s best result in this rivalry?
Zimbabwe’s best result was an innings and 73-run Test victory in Harare in October 2025. Ben Curran scored a century and Zimbabwe bowled Afghanistan out twice for low totals. It was a statement win.
How does the Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe head-to-head record look overall?
Afghanistan lead overall with roughly 38 wins from 53 matches — a 72% win rate. They dominate T20Is (88%) and ODIs (65%). Tests are closest, with Zimbabwe winning the most recent encounter in 2025.
