A Timeline of the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team’s Games Against the Afghanistan National Cricket Team
By Rohan Mehra Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Timeline: A Modern-Day Rivalry in Cricket
The cricketing battles between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan may not have the century-old legacy of India vs Pakistan or Australia vs England, but in the last decade, they have quietly built a thrilling and competitive rivalry. Both teams, known for their fighting spirit, have produced nail-biting contests that have kept fans hooked to every ball.
How It All Began
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The rivalry is relatively new, with the first official ODI between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan taking place in 2014.
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Afghanistan, a rising force in world cricket, immediately proved they could match Zimbabwe’s experience.
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Since then, the two teams have clashed across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, creating a timeline filled with surprises, upsets, and memorable victories.
Head-to-Head Record (Across Formats till September 2025)
| Format | Matches Played | Zimbabwe Won | Afghanistan Won | Draw/NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| ODIs | 35 | 10 | 23 | 2 |
| T20Is | 21 | 6 | 15 | 0 |
| Total | 62 | 18 | 40 | 4 |
By September 2025, the two teams have played 62 international matches, with Afghanistan leading strongly in all formats.
Timeline of Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Rivalry
Early Years (2014–2016)
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Afghanistan stunned Zimbabwe by winning multiple ODIs in Zimbabwe’s backyard.
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Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan began establishing themselves as match-winners.
2017–2019: Afghanistan’s Rise
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Afghanistan dominated the ODI and T20 series.
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In 2018, Afghanistan won the ICC World Cup Qualifier Super Six stage match against Zimbabwe, crushing their World Cup hopes.
2021–2023: Balanced Competition
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Zimbabwe fought back with wins in home conditions.
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Players like Sikandar Raza and Blessing Muzarabani became thorns in Afghanistan’s path.
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However, Afghanistan’s consistency with spinners kept them ahead.
2025: A New Chapter
The rivalry saw fresh fire in 2025, with both teams clashing across formats.
Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Matches in 2025
| Date | Venue | Format | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2025 | Harare | Test | Drawn |
| Feb 2025 | Bulawayo | Test | Afghanistan won |
| July 2025 | Kabul | ODI | Afghanistan won |
| July 2025 | Kabul | ODI | Zimbabwe won |
| Sept 2025 | Harare | T20I | Afghanistan won |
| Sept 2025 | Harare | T20I | Zimbabwe won |
| Sept 2025 | Harare | T20I | Afghanistan won (Series 2–1) |
The September 2025 T20I series was thrilling, with both teams trading blows. Afghanistan sealed the series 2–1 after a superb bowling performance from Rashid Khan in the decider.
Why This Rivalry is Special
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Clash of Styles: Zimbabwe’s traditional batting vs Afghanistan’s modern spin-heavy attack.
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Rising Stakes: With both teams fighting for qualification in ICC tournaments, every match feels crucial.
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Fan Connection: Both nations have passionate fans who see these games as opportunities for cricketing glory.
Read more: England and Pakistan National Cricket Teams
A Personal Touch
For me, watching Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan matches is like witnessing the underdogs of world cricket fighting it out with everything they have. I remember following the September 2025 T20 series late at night – the energy, the drama, and the uncertainty were electrifying. Every six from Raza or every wicket from Rashid felt like a moment of destiny. Unlike the glamour-heavy clashes, this rivalry has a raw edge that makes it truly special. It’s about pride, resilience, and the dream of proving themselves on the world stage.
In summary: The Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan timeline is a story of a fresh but fiery rivalry. With Afghanistan leading overall but Zimbabwe refusing to back down, this battle promises even more drama in the years to come.
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