Introduction: Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team
Cricket fans were treated to a memorable clash between the Afghanistan national cricket team and the Zimbabwe national cricket team in a recent multi-format series. The competition included Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, with both nations fighting hard on the field. From big centuries to game-changing spells, the series offered some exciting cricket action.
Here’s a detailed look at each match, key moments, and player performances — all in easy-to-understand language.
Table of Contents
Test Series Overview
The two-match Test series took place in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and featured long innings, career-best scores, and some brilliant bowling.
1st Test – December 26–30, 2024
Match Result: Drawn
- Zimbabwe (1st Innings): 586 all out
- Afghanistan (1st Innings): 699 all out
- Zimbabwe (2nd Innings): 142/4 declared
This Test match was dominated by batsmen from both sides. Zimbabwe started strong with a total above 500. Afghanistan replied with an even higher score, crossing 690 — their best-ever total in a Test match.
Top Players:
- Hashmatullah Shahidi: 246 runs – calm and composed innings
- Rahmat Shah: 234 runs – showed excellent technique
- Afsar Zazai: 113 runs – his first Test century
- Brian Bennett (ZIM): 110* and 5 wickets – fantastic all-round effort
Despite the massive scores, time ran out for either team to push for a win.
2nd Test – January 2–6, 2025
Match Result: No result (bad light stopped play)
- Zimbabwe (1st Innings): 243 all out
- Afghanistan (1st Innings): 157 all out
- Afghanistan (2nd Innings): 40/3 (unfinished)
Zimbabwe looked strong in this Test. Their bowlers took control early, reducing Afghanistan’s lead. Unfortunately, poor lighting conditions on the last day ended the game before Zimbabwe could seal a victory.
Key Contributions:
- Craig Ervine (ZIM): 75 runs – held the innings together
- Blessing Muzarabani (ZIM): Early breakthroughs with the ball
- Rashid Khan (AFG): 4 wickets – continued to be dangerous
- Ismat Alam (AFG): A debut century in difficult conditions
ODI Series – Afghanistan Shows Dominance
Afghanistan and Zimbabwe played three ODIs. Afghanistan came out on top with solid performances in both batting and bowling departments.
3rd ODI – December 21, 2024
Match Result: Afghanistan won by 8 wickets
- Zimbabwe: 127 all out
- Afghanistan: 131/2
Afghanistan chased the target easily after restricting Zimbabwe to a low score. The bowlers kept tight lines, and the batsmen did not lose control.
Match Highlights:
- Ghazanfar (AFG): 5 wickets – bowled beautifully
- Sediqullah Atal (AFG): 52 runs – helped finish the match smoothly
- Sean Williams (ZIM): 60 runs – fought hard for Zimbabwe
Series Result: Afghanistan won the ODI series 2–0
T20I Series – A Tight Battle
The three-match T20I series was fast-paced and full of energy. Both teams had their moments, but Afghanistan edged out Zimbabwe in the end.
3rd T20I – December 14, 2024
Match Result: Afghanistan won by 3 wickets
- Zimbabwe: 127 all out
- Afghanistan: 128/7
This was a close game. Afghanistan managed to chase down the target with only three wickets in hand. Zimbabwe’s bowlers made them work hard for every run.
Star Performers:
- Azmatullah Omarzai (AFG): Scored key runs at the end
- Naveen-ul-Haq (AFG): Took important wickets in every match
- Brian Bennett (ZIM): Top scorer across the T20 series
Series Result: Afghanistan won the T20I series 2–1
Best Performers of the Tour
For Afghanistan:
- Rahmat Shah: Over 390 runs in Tests – a strong backbone
- Hashmatullah Shahidi: Double century that set a record
- Ghazanfar: Match-winning spells in ODIs
- Naveen-ul-Haq: Reliable death bowler in T20Is
- Sediqullah Atal: Consistent with the bat in white-ball cricket
For Zimbabwe:
- Brian Bennett: All-round success – a rising star
- Craig Ervine: Played key innings in the longer format
- Sean Williams: Most dependable in ODIs
- Blessing Muzarabani: Pace and bounce troubled Afghan batters
- Sikandar Raza: Contributed with both bat and ball
Match Summary Table
| Format | Matches | Series Result |
|---|---|---|
| Tests | 2 | 1 Draw, 1 No Result |
| ODIs | 3 | Afghanistan 2–0 |
| T20Is | 3 | Afghanistan 2–1 |
Key Takeaways from the Series
Afghanistan’s Growth Across Formats
This series proved that Afghanistan is no longer just a T20 side. Their Test performances were mature, and their ODI team looked sharp. Batters like Shahidi and Rahmat have stepped up, while bowlers like Rashid and Ghazanfar continue to impress.
Zimbabwe’s Young Talent Shining
Zimbabwe showed signs of improvement, especially in Tests. Brian Bennett was a breakout star. With some consistency, this Zimbabwe team can compete well on the world stage.
Exciting Cricket for All Fans
The mix of long-format patience and short-format energy gave fans something in every match. Big scores, close finishes, and emerging players made this series memorable.
Final Thoughts
The Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe cricket series had everything: record-breaking performances, close contests, and fresh talent. Afghanistan came out as the better side in ODIs and T20Is, while Zimbabwe showed real potential in Test cricket.
This series not only delivered great cricket but also gave hope for the future of the game in both countries. With young stars rising and experienced players delivering, fans can look forward to more thrilling clashes in the years to come.
