The rivalry between the Afghanistan National Cricket Team and the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team timeline has become one of the most compelling stories among emerging cricketing nations. Spanning all three formats, this contest has witnessed dramatic shifts in momentum, historic milestones, and individual brilliance.
Early Encounters and Establishing Rivalry (2014–2016)
- 2014: Afghanistan toured Zimbabwe for their first full series against a Test-playing nation. The teams drew both the four-match ODI series (2–2) and the two-match first-class series (1–1), signaling a competitive parity from the outset.
- 2015: Afghanistan's victory over Zimbabwe on December 25 propelled them into the ICC ODI top 10 for the first time, a landmark achievement for Afghan cricket.
Building Momentum (2017–2021)
- Afghanistan and Zimbabwe faced off regularly in bilateral series, with Afghanistan gradually asserting dominance, especially in limited-overs formats.
- By 2021, Afghanistan had established a clear head-to-head advantage in ODIs and T20Is, leveraging a strong spin attack and a core of experienced players.
Recent Series and Afghanistan's Ascendancy (2022–2025)
2022 ODI Series in Zimbabwe
- Afghanistan swept the three-match ODI series in Harare, winning by margins of 60 runs, 8 wickets, and 4 wickets, underscoring their growing supremacy.
Afghanistan National Cricket Team and the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team timeline 2024–25: Landmark Multi-Format Tour
Afghanistan National Cricket Team and the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team timeline - Tour Overview: Afghanistan toured Zimbabwe from December 2024 to January 2025, playing two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is.
Test Series
|
Match |
Result |
Notable Performances |
|
1st Test |
Draw |
- |
|
2nd Test |
Afghanistan won by 72 runs |
Rashid Khan: 11 wickets (7/66 in 2nd innings), Rahmat Shah: 139 runs |
- Afghanistan clinched the two-match Test series 1–0, with Rashid Khan's career-best figures and Rahmat Shah's batting heroics standing out26.
ODI Series
|
Match |
Result |
Notable Performances |
|
1st ODI |
No result (rain) |
Zimbabwe 44/5 before rain |
|
2nd ODI |
Afghanistan won by 232 runs |
Sediqullah Atal: 108 runs, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar: 5 wickets |
|
3rd ODI |
Afghanistan won by 8 wickets |
Sediqullah Atal: 48 runs, Ghazanfar: 4 wickets |
- Afghanistan dominated, winning the series 2–0. Sediqullah Atal was named Player of the Series.
T20I Series
|
Match |
Result |
Notable Performances |
|
1st T20I |
Zimbabwe won by 4 wickets |
Brian Bennett: 49 runs, Richard Ngarava: 3 wickets |
|
2nd T20I |
Afghanistan won by 50 runs |
Darwish Rasooli: 58 runs, Naveen-ul-Haq: 3 wickets |
|
3rd T20I |
Afghanistan won by 3 wickets |
Rashid Khan: 4 wickets, Azmatullah Omarzai: 34 runs |
- Afghanistan took the T20I series 2–1, with Naveen-ul-Haq named Player of the Series.
Head-to-Head Record (as of 2025)
|
Format |
Matches |
Afghanistan Wins |
Zimbabwe Wins |
Draw/No Result |
|
ODI |
31 |
21 |
10 |
— |
|
T20I |
15 |
14 |
1 |
— |
|
Test |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
Key Themes and Rivalry Highlights
- Afghanistan's Spin Dominance: Rashid Khan has been a decisive factor, especially in Tests and T20Is, with multiple match-winning performances.
- Zimbabwe's Resilience: Despite Afghanistan's rise, Zimbabwe has produced memorable wins, particularly in the T20I format, and remains a challenging opponent at home.
- Emergence of New Stars: Players like Sediqullah Atal and Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar have added new dimensions to Afghanistan's lineup, while Zimbabwe's Brian Bennett and Blessing Muzarabani have impressed.
Conclusion
From their first meeting in 2014 to the multi-format battles of 2025, the Afghanistan National Cricket Team and the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team timeline rivalry has charted the ascent of Afghan cricket and the enduring spirit of Zimbabwean cricket. As both teams continue to develop, their contests remain a showcase of emerging talent, tactical evolution, and the global growth of the game.
