Zimbabwe national cricket team vs Afghanistan national cricket team match scorecard – Zimbabwe and Afghanistan clashed in a two-match Test series at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, in December 2024 and January 2025. The series was packed with high-scoring innings, record-breaking performances, and competitive cricket.
Table of Contents
Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
1st Test (Dec 26-30, 2024) – Match Drawn
Afghanistan and Zimbabwe played out a high-scoring thriller in the first Test, with both teams putting up massive totals.
Zimbabwe 1st Innings
- Total: 586 all out (157.2 overs)
- Top Scorers:
- Sean Williams – 154 (174)
- Brian Bennett – 110* (124)
- Craig Ervine – 82 (144)
- Best Bowler (AFG):
- AM Ghazanfar – 3/127 (30.2)
- Zahir Khan – 2/116 (28)
Afghanistan 1st Innings
- Total: 699 all out (208.2 overs) – Highest Test score for Afghanistan
- Top Scorers:
- Hashmatullah Shahidi – 246 (474) Record for highest individual AFG Test score
- Rahmat Shah – 234 (424)
- Nasir Jamal – 78 (159)
- Best Bowler (ZIM):
- Brian Bennett – 5/95 (28)
- Blessing Muzarabani – 2/122 (38)
Zimbabwe 2nd Innings
- Total: 142/4 (42 overs) Match Drawn due to time
- Top Scorers:
- Ben Curran – 41 (61)
- Sean Williams – 35* (40)
- Best Bowler (AFG):
- Zahir Khan – 2/43 (10)
Match Result: Draw
Player of the Match: Hashmatullah Shahidi (AFG) – 246 runs
2nd Test (Jan 2-5, 2025) – Afghanistan Won by 72 Runs
The second Test was more competitive, with Afghanistan pulling off a strong comeback to claim victory.
Afghanistan 1st Innings
- Total: 157 all out (51.2 overs)
- Top Scorer: Rashid Khan – 25 (20)
- Best Bowler (ZIM):
- Newman Nyamhuri – 3/41 (14)
- Sikandar Raza – 3/48 (12)
Zimbabwe 1st Innings
- Total: 243 all out (87.3 overs) Gained an 86-run lead
- Top Scorers:
- Craig Ervine – 75 (165)
- Sikandar Raza – 61 (104)
- Best Bowler (AFG):
- Rashid Khan – 4/94 (27.3)
- Yamin Ahmadzai – 3/56 (21)
Afghanistan 2nd Innings
- Total: 363 all out (121.1 overs)
- Top Scorers:
- Rahmat Shah – 139 (275)
- Ismat Alam – 101 (181)
- Best Bowler (ZIM):
- Blessing Muzarabani – 6/95 (29)
Zimbabwe 2nd Innings
- Total: 205 all out (75.3 overs)
- Top Scorers:
- Craig Ervine – 53 (103)
- Sean Williams – 47 (90)
- Best Bowler (AFG):
- Rashid Khan – 7/66 (27.3)
Match Result: Afghanistan won by 72 runs
Player of the Match: Rashid Khan – 11 wickets in the match
Series Summary & Key Takeaways
- Afghanistan clinches the series 1-0 after a dominant performance in the second Test.
- Record-breaking innings:
- Hashmatullah Shahidi’s 246 became Afghanistan’s highest individual Test score.
- Afghanistan’s 699 all out was their highest Test total.
3. Spin magic: Rashid Khan was the game-changer in the second Test with 11 wickets.
4. Zimbabwe’s fighting spirit:
- Sean Williams and Craig Ervine were consistent performers.
- Brian Bennett’s all-round skills impressed.
Afghanistan’s series victory highlighted their growing dominance in Test cricket, while Zimbabwe showed resilience at home.
