Cricket fans love a good contest. But when two rising international teams like Zimbabwe and Afghanistan meet, the excitement often goes beyond the final result. It becomes a story of determination, emerging stars, tactical battles, and unforgettable moments.
If you are looking for the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, you are in the right place.
In this article, we’ll break down the entire T20I series between the two sides, examine the scorecards, discuss standout performances, review key players, analyze turning points, and look at what the results mean for both teams moving forward.
The latest T20I series between Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team took place in Harare during Afghanistan’s tour of Zimbabwe in the 2025-26 season.
Match 1: Afghanistan Blow Zimbabwe Away — 1st T20I Scorecard
Date: October 29, 2025 | Venue: Harare Sports Club
Let’s start with the first entry in our Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard journey.
Afghanistan scored 180/6 in their 20 overs and Zimbabwe could only manage 127 all out in 16.1 overs, handing Afghanistan a dominant win by 53 runs.
Fifty-three runs! That’s not a loss — that’s a statement.
The scorecard summary reads: Afghanistan 180/6 (20 overs) with Ibrahim Zadran scoring 52 off 33 balls and Rahmanullah Gurbaz contributing 39 off 25. For Zimbabwe, Sikandar Raza was the best bowler with 3/20 in 4 overs, while Blessing Muzarabani picked up 2/41.
Zimbabwe’s chase never really got going. The home side crumbled early — Mujeeb took two wickets in his first over, dismissing Taylor with a carrom ball that took a top edge, before Raza and Burl both departed in quick succession, reducing Zimbabwe to 25 for 4 in just three overs.
1st T20I Scorecard at a Glance:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2025-26 – 1st T20I |
| Venue | Harare Sports Club, Harare |
| Date | 29 October 2025 |
| Toss | Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat |
| Zimbabwe Run/Wicket (Overs) | 127 all out (16.1 overs) |
| Afghanistan Run/Wicket (Overs) | 180/6 (20 overs) |
| Result | Afghanistan won by 53 runs |
| Series | Afghanistan led the 3-match series 1-0 |
| Player of the Match | Azmatullah Omarzai |
The Player of the Match was Azmatullah Omarzai, who scored 27 off 21 balls and also took 3 wickets for 29 runs. A genuine all-round performance that sealed the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard result convincingly.
Afghanistan recorded their 17th win in 19 T20Is against Zimbabwe with this result. That’s a staggering head-to-head record, and it shows why the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team rivalry is so one-sided in the shortest format.
Expert Insight: Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s carrom ball is arguably one of the most difficult deliveries to play in T20 cricket. For Zimbabwe’s batters to misread it so consistently speaks to both Mujeeb’s brilliance and Zimbabwe’s vulnerability against quality spin — a recurring theme in the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team contests.
Match 2: Rashid Khan Turns It Into a Masterclass — 2nd T20I Scorecard
Date: October 31, 2025 | Venue: Harare Sports Club
If Match 1 was a statement, Match 2 was a shutdown. The second instalment of the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard story was even more one-sided.
Zimbabwe were bowled out for just 125, and Afghanistan chased it down comfortably with 7 wickets in hand and 12 balls to spare, finishing at 129/3 in 18 overs.
Zimbabwe couldn’t even post a competitive total. The powerplay was brutal — Zimbabwe lost 3 wickets for just 35 runs in the first 6 overs. They reached 50 runs only in the 9.5th over and 100 in the 15.4th over, eventually getting bowled out in 19.3 overs.
The Player of the Match for the 2nd T20I was Rashid Khan, who was brilliant with the ball, taking 3 wickets for just 9 runs.
Three wickets for NINE runs. In a T20 match. That’s not bowling — that’s wizardry.
Afghanistan’s powerplay in reply was strong — they scored 54 runs for just 1 wicket in the first 6 overs while chasing the 126-run target.
The Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard for Match 2 was a masterclass in how to demolish a team with both bat AND ball. The Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Players from Afghanistan simply had too much quality on the day.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2025-26 – 2nd T20I |
| Venue | Harare Sports Club, Harare |
| Date | 31 October 2025 |
| Toss | Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat |
| Zimbabwe Run/Wicket (Overs) | 125 all out (19.3 overs) |
| Afghanistan Run/Wicket (Overs) | 129/3 (18 overs) |
| Result | Afghanistan won by 7 wickets |
| Series | Afghanistan led the 3-match series 2-0 |
| Player of the Match | Rashid Khan |
Match 3: The Thriller That Nearly Was — 3rd T20I Scorecard
Date: November 2, 2025 | Venue: Harare Sports Club
Now THIS one was different. The final chapter of the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard series gave everyone heart palpitations — even if the result was the same.
Afghanistan posted a massive 210/3 and Zimbabwe fought back hard to score 201 all out — falling just 9 runs short in a nail-biting finish.
Nine runs! From 210! Zimbabwe nearly pulled off the impossible. Let that sink in.
Afghanistan’s Innings: Gurbaz and Ibrahim Go Full Destruction Mode
On a flat pitch in Harare, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran put on a display of modern T20 batting — clean swings, ruthless targeting of bowlers, and an extraordinary 159-run opening partnership that lifted Afghanistan to 210 for 3.
The first over set the tone — Wellington Masakadza conceded 19 runs to Gurbaz’s bat alone. By the time the powerplay ended, Afghanistan were 73 for 0, their third-highest score after the first six overs.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 92 off 48 balls and was named Player of the Match, while Ibrahim Zadran scored 60, going on to be named Player of the Series for his 169 runs across the three games.
Gurbaz’s innings was finally ended by a screamer of a catch. Sikandar Raza took a blinder to dismiss Gurbaz — he launched into a full, sliding dive and caught the ball with both hands after covering a significant distance sprinting back from the inner ring toward the ropes. Gurbaz squatted down in disbelief before walking back to the dugout.
Zimbabwe’s Chase: Brave, But Not Enough
Zimbabwe didn’t just roll over in their chase of 211. They went for it.
The fall of wickets in Zimbabwe’s innings tells a story of resilience and collapse: Sikandar Raza (104 off 10.5 overs), Brian Bennett (126 off 12.5 overs), and Ryan Burl (162 off 15.4 overs) all made contributions.
Despite a spirited chase led by Sikandar Raza, Brian Bennett, and Ryan Burl, the visitors closed out the game to complete a 3-0 series sweep.
Raza’s fifty arrived in 28 balls, but his innings ended in a freak dismissal when a sweep shot off Mohammad Nabi rolled off his glove, then his pad and onto the stumps.
You literally can’t script that. He worked so hard and got out in the most heartbreaking way possible.
Afghanistan’s nine-run win was completed without Rashid Khan and Azmatullah Omarzai — both rested for the final game — which made it even more impressive. They have now won 19 out of 21 T20Is played between the two sides.
3rd T20I Scorecard at a Glance:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 2025-26 – 3rd T20I |
| Venue | Harare Sports Club, Harare |
| Date | 2 November 2025 |
| Toss | Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat |
| Zimbabwe Run/Wicket (Overs) | 201 all out (20 overs) |
| Afghanistan Run/Wicket (Overs) | 210/3 (20 overs) |
| Result | Afghanistan won by 9 runs |
| Series | Afghanistan won the 3-match series 3-0 |
| Player of the Match | Rahmanullah Gurbaz |
Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline
The Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline is worth knowing if you want the full picture.
The two sides had previously met in December 2024 and January 2025 when Afghanistan toured Zimbabwe. In that T20I series, Afghanistan won 2-1, with Brian Bennett scoring the most runs for Zimbabwe (107) and Naveen-ul-Haq being named Player of the Series for Afghanistan.
So if you’re keeping score — and for the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Timeline, you absolutely should be — Afghanistan has won back-to-back T20I series in Zimbabwe, and their overall dominance in the format stands at 19 wins from 21 games.
Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Players to Watch
The Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Players who stood out in this series deserve a special mention.
Afghanistan Stars:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz — 92 in the 3rd T20I; destructive, electric, game-changing
- Ibrahim Zadran — Player of the Series with 169 runs across 3 innings
- Rashid Khan — 3/9 in the 2nd T20I; arguably the best T20 spinner in the world
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman — 4/20 in the 1st T20I; unplayable on his day
Zimbabwe Heroes:
- Sikandar Raza — Captain, top scorer for Zimbabwe (89 series runs), took key wickets
- Tinotenda Maposa — Showed fire with 32 off 15 in the opener
- Brad Evans — 5 wickets in the series; best Zimbabwe bowler across the three games
- Brian Bennett — Fighting 47 in the 3rd T20I
Expert Opinion: Sikandar Raza continues to be Zimbabwe’s most complete cricketer. At 39, he’s still diving for catches, bowling disciplined spells, and top-scoring in chases. His leadership and form are the single biggest reasons Zimbabwe remains competitive against top Associate and Full Member nations. The Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team contests always seem to pivot around his performances.
What the Numbers Say
The Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard data from this series paints a clear picture:
| Match | Afghanistan Score | Zimbabwe Score | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I (Oct 29) | 180/6 | 127 all out | Afghanistan won by 53 runs |
| 2nd T20I (Oct 31) | 129/3 | 125 all out | Afghanistan won by 7 wickets |
| 3rd T20I (Nov 2) | 210/3 | 201 all out | Afghanistan won by 9 runs |
Three games. Three wins. A 3-0 series sweep. The numbers in the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard don’t lie — Afghanistan were simply the better side in T20 cricket.
For full ball-by-ball scorecards, check out the official coverage on ESPNcricinfo.
Why Does Afghanistan Keep Dominating Zimbabwe in T20s?
Good question, and it’s one that keeps coming up whenever you look at the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard history.
Here’s the honest answer:
- Depth of spin bowling — Rashid, Mujeeb, and Mohammad Nabi are world-class. Zimbabwe simply doesn’t have the experience to read and play them consistently.
- Power-hitting openers — Gurbaz and Zadran can take 70+ off the powerplay. That puts any team under immediate pressure.
- Experience at the international level — Afghanistan have been playing high-pressure cricket in IPL, The Hundred, BBL, and various leagues for years. That exposure shows.
- Team depth — Even without Rashid and Omarzai in Match 3, Afghanistan still won.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, is improving. The Test win proved that. And the 201-run chase in Match 3 showed serious fight. The Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team gap is narrowing — slowly, but it’s happening.
Conclusion
The Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard from the 2025-26 T20I series tells a story of two teams at very different stages of their journey. Afghanistan — polished, powerful, and professional — swept the series 3-0 with a mix of brilliant batting and suffocating bowling. Zimbabwe — scrappy, spirited, and improving — showed enough fight, especially in Match 3, to suggest the gap won’t stay this wide forever.
The Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard data confirms what most fans already know: in T20 cricket right now, Afghanistan are simply a cut above. But Zimbabwe’s Test win and their near-miss in the 3rd T20I show a team that’s learning, growing, and refusing to give up.
Watch this Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team space. It’s only going to get more interesting.
FAQs
Q1. Who won the Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan T20I series in 2025?
Afghanistan won the three-match T20I series 3-0, completing a clean sweep on their tour of Zimbabwe in October–November 2025.
Q2. What was the result of the 1st T20I between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan?
Afghanistan won the 1st T20I by 53 runs. Afghanistan scored 180/6 and Zimbabwe were bowled out for 127 in 16.1 overs.
Q3. Who was the Player of the Series in the Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan T20I series 2025?
Ibrahim Zadran of Afghanistan was named Player of the Series for scoring 169 runs across the three T20Is.
Q4. Who was the best bowler in the Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan T20I series?
Rashid Khan was outstanding in the 2nd T20I (3/9), while Mujeeb Ur Rahman took 4/20 in the 1st T20I. Brad Evans was Zimbabwe’s best bowler, finishing with 5 wickets across the series.
Q5. Did Zimbabwe win any match in the 2025 Afghanistan T20I series?
No. Zimbabwe lost all three T20Is. However, they did win the one-off Test match that was part of the same tour, which was a significant achievement.
Q6. Where were the Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan T20I matches played?
All three T20I matches were played at Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Q7. What is Afghanistan’s T20I record against Zimbabwe overall?
As of November 2025, Afghanistan have won 19 out of 21 T20Is played against Zimbabwe — a remarkable dominance in the format.
Q8. Who scored the highest individual score in the Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan 2025 T20I series?
Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored the highest individual innings of the series — 92 off 48 balls in the 3rd T20I.
Thank you so much for reading! Your support and interest in cricket mean the world. If you enjoyed this breakdown of the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, you’ll love our previous blog post too — check it out here: Australia National Cricket Team vs Ireland Cricket Team Match Scorecard
For more detailed statistics and historical data on the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team, visit aplayerstats.com.
