Afghanistan defeated Zimbabwe by 9 runs to complete a three-match Twenty 20 International series 3-0 sweep. Sikandar Raza and Brian Bennett put up an excellent partnership before Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi dismantled Zimbabwe’s batting order.
Richard Ngarava’s first five-wicket haul for Afghanistan helped them seal the series win.
Here we will discuss the main points of high lights of Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard.
| No. | Date | Format | Venue | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023 | ODI | Harare | Afghanistan won | 8 wickets |
| 2 | 2023 | ODI | Harare | Afghanistan won | 6 wickets |
| 3 | 2023 | ODI | Harare | Zimbabwe won | 7 wickets |
| 4 | 2022 | T20I | Belfast | Afghanistan won | 35 runs |
| 5 | 2022 | T20I | Belfast | Afghanistan won | 21 runs |
| 6 | 2022 | T20I | Belfast | Afghanistan won | 7 wickets |
| 7 | 2021 | ODI | Abu Dhabi | Afghanistan won | 48 runs |
| 8 | 2021 | ODI | Abu Dhabi | Afghanistan won | 5 wickets |
| 9 | 2021 | ODI | Abu Dhabi | Afghanistan won | 60 runs |
| 10 | 2021 | T20I | Abu Dhabi | Afghanistan won | 6 wickets |
Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan 1st Test
Zimbabwe Cricket Board oversees the creation of a competitive squad composed of experienced veterans as well as emerging talent; their home advantage will be further strengthened at Harare Sports Club with its bouncy pitches that offer home advantage to local teams.
Afghanistan produced an impressive first innings display despite losing the toss and being put in. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran established an explosive opening partnership, while Sediqullah Atal’s contribution in second innings helped Afghanistan close on 260/3.
On day 3, Zimbabwe delivered a determined performance to claim their first home Test win since 2013. Richard Ngarava’s maiden Test five-for proved pivotal as he ripped through an ineffective Afghanistan batting unit. Brad Evans also contributed with five wickets while Ben Curran scored an unstoppable 121 runs for Zimbabwe’s impressive win.
After lunch, Chivanga decided to hand the ball to Ngarava and it immediately paid dividends. Ngarava immediately managed to induce a cut from Ismat Alam which Tafadzwa Tsiga took an outstanding one-handed catch of in the next over. Ngarava continued his destructive ways with another length ball outside off that forced Sikandar Raza into cutting which Tsiga caught at second slip for his second wicket of the morning.
Ngarava recorded his fifth wicket of the day during his sixth over, bowling an innocuous-looking delivery that flew straight through. It marked an appropriate conclusion to an innings which featured some of the finest bowling of this series.
Both teams will meet back up for a three-match T20I series in Harare Sports Club, famous for its bouncy tracks since 1992 and considered home by avid local support and players. Home advantage will play an essential part in this contest; familiar surroundings could potentially have an outsized impact on results while international visitors should find easy access. In addition, broadcasters have acquired rights for both national and international coverage of this contest.
Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan 2nd Test
After an uneven first test between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan ended in an easy draw with batters having their way on an unfavorable pitch, both batsmen and bowlers had something to play for in this one. Zimbabwe recovered after an initially slow start, posting 359 runs; led by Ben Curran’s maiden test century which was supported by Sikandar Raza and Eddiqullah Atal who each scored their maiden tons on tour.
Afghanistan quickly raced ahead after taking the field in their T20I match thanks to an explosive opening stand between Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, both scoring half-centuries in an explosive innings. They were quickly joined by Sediqullah Atal who helped push them past 200, Zimbabwe conceding their highest ever T20I total total during this contest.
Home side enjoyed an outstanding day as they secured their first win of the series and opened up a 2-1 advantage. Thanks to Craig Ervine’s leadership and combination of experience and youth players, they dominated from start to finish of this matchup. Tafadzwa Tsiga had an outstanding day on the pitch by taking five wickets and was awarded man of the match honors by home supporters.
Zimbabwe elected to bat first after winning the toss, and were reduced to 125 for 3 in 19.3 overs, led by Raza’s superb 65 off 32 balls. Meanwhile, Rashid Khan took three wickets within six overs to limit Zimbabwean batsmen’s scoring potential and exert some early pressure.
Zimbabwe needed a record chase at Harare to avoid being whitewashed, yet they fell short due to Rahmat Shah’s incredible innings – breaking both national and T20I records for runs scored during one game – and Omarzai hitting two 50’s during this series (one quickly, another quickly). Richard Ngarava to Omarzai: Short of length outside off, batsman attempts a pull but misses.
Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan 3rd Test
Zimbabwe secured their most significant T20I victory since 2013 by defeating Afghanistan by 9 runs at Harare’s Sports Club Oval, thanks to Richard Ngarava’s five-wicket haul and Tanaka Chivanga and Blessing Muzarabani’s pace bowling attack. Together these factors shattered Afghanistan’s batting order and set Zimbabwe on their path toward their most impressive win ever in this format.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran both scored explosive half-centuries for the visitors while Sediqullah Atal made a quick cameo, taking them up to 210/3 on an unhelpful pitch. But Ngarava’s leg spin, combined with Chivanga’s deft variations and Muzarabani’s precise close-spelling kept their runs under control.
Ngarava produced an extraordinary five-wicket haul in Zimbabwe’s second innings Test when his second over saw Ismat Alam cut on to full and Tafadzwa Tsiga was alert enough to dive in for the catch. Two overs later, Ngarava had Sharafuddin Ashraf caught at short third slip – an dismissal which put Zimbabwe back in control.
Sikandar Raza and Brian Bennett put Zimbabwe back on track with a crucial partnership of 73 runs in the sixth over, but Raza’s departure caused an inevitable collapse; Ryan Burl only narrowly missing out on making his maiden fifty. Musekiwa made 37 off 15 balls before Ryan Burl scored sixes off just 15 deliveries before they all became out in 32.3 overs; Ngarava’s impressive spell, supported by Curran and Muzarabani was enough to ensure Zimbabwe recorded their first home Test win since 2003.
Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan 4th T20I
Afghanistan won the three-match T20I series 3-0 by 9 runs despite Zimbabwe’s impressive effort. Afghanistan began their win by striking early with wickets; however, Sikandar Raza and Brian Bennet rebuild Zimbabwe’s innings after Afghanistan struck early with wickets; however both batsmen made half centuries but their target proved beyond them.
Afghanistan’s openers once again put together an incredible opening stand of 159 runs before Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran both made half centuries, helped by Sediqullah Atal’s quick cameo. Zimbabwe tried their luck late but suffered late wickets that left them facing an uphill struggle, falling nine runs short in defeat.
Zimbabwe were proud of their efforts in Afghanistan despite suffering defeat, believing the experience gained would only strengthen them going forward in future tournaments. Fans in Afghanistan were impressed with this young Zimbabwean side and many expressed hopes they’d do even better at regional competitions. On Tuesday, Zimbabwe will face last year’s champion Tajikistan at home and fans can watch all the action live via Ariana TV (click here for details).
