As the cricketing world gears up for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Afghanistan sent a strong message to the rest of the teams with a dominant tour of Zimbabwe. From Test cricket to white-ball formats, Afghanistan looked sharp, balanced, and confident.
Let’s walk through the highlights of the tour—from the gritty Test matches to the thrilling T20 showdowns.
Table of Contents
Test Series: Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan
The two-match Test series kicked off on December 26, 2024, at Queens Sports Club and later moved to Harare Sports Club. It was a battle of endurance, skill, and surprises.
1st Test – Dec 26–30, 2024 | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bat first, and it turned out to be a great decision. Sean Williams played a captain’s knock, scoring 154, and Brian Bennett added an unbeaten 110, helping Zimbabwe post a huge total of 586.
But Afghanistan responded in style. Hashmatullah Shahidi scored a magnificent 246, and Rahmat Shah wasn’t far behind with a brilliant 234. Afghanistan piled up 699, taking a 114-run lead. Despite such a high-scoring contest, the match ended in a draw.
Key Performers:
- Zimbabwe: Sean Williams (154), Brian Bennett (110*)
- Afghanistan: Shahidi (246), Rahmat Shah (234)
- Match Result: Draw
2nd Test – Jan 2–6, 2025 | Harare Sports Club
In the second Test, Zimbabwe again won the toss but decided to bowl first. This time, their bowlers delivered. Afghanistan collapsed for just 157. Zimbabwe replied with 243, gaining a solid lead.
But Afghanistan didn’t stay down for long. In the second innings, Rahmat Shah scored a gritty 139, and Ismat Alam hit his maiden century. Zimbabwe needed 277 to win but faltered under pressure. Rashid Khan was outstanding, taking 7 wickets and securing the win for Afghanistan by 72 runs.
Key Performers:
- Afghanistan: Rahmat Shah (139), Ismat Alam (101), Rashid Khan (7/66)
- Zimbabwe: Craig Ervine (75), Sikandar Raza (61)
- Result: Afghanistan won by 72 runs
ODI Series: Afghanistan Outclasses Zimbabwe
The three-match ODI series was played entirely at the Harare Sports Club. While rain spoiled the start, Afghanistan took control in the remaining games.
1st ODI – Dec 17, 2025
The opening game was cut short by rain. Zimbabwe had slumped to 44/5 in just 9 overs before the weather intervened.
Result: Match abandoned due to rain
2nd ODI – Dec 19, 2025
Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bowl. Afghanistan’s openers—Sediqullah Atal (104) and Abdul Malik (84)—built a rock-solid opening stand. Afghanistan ended with a healthy 286 on the board.
In reply, Zimbabwe never got going. Afghanistan’s bowlers ran riot, bowling them out for just 54. It was a one-sided affair and a 232-run win for the visitors.
Result: Afghanistan won by 232 runs
Player of the Match: Sediqullah Atal (104)
3rd ODI – Dec 21, 2025
Afghanistan opted to bowl first, and once again their bowlers delivered. Zimbabwe was bundled out for 127, with Allah Ghazanfar grabbing a fantastic five-for.
Afghanistan chased the target with ease, losing only two wickets. Sediqullah Atal scored another fluent half-century, sealing the series 2–0.
Result: Afghanistan won by 8 wickets
Top Performers:
- Afghanistan: Atal (52), Ghazanfar (5/33)
- Zimbabwe: Sean Williams (60)
T20I Series: Thrills, Twists, and a Strong Finish
The T20I series brought fast-paced excitement and close contests. It was a three-match series, and all games were held at the Harare Sports Club.
1st T20I – Dec 14, 2025
Afghanistan batted first but lost early wickets. Karim Janat (54*) and Mohammad Nabi (44) helped them recover to a decent 144/6.
Zimbabwe chased the target in a nail-biting finish, winning the match on the final delivery. Brian Bennett (49) and Dion Myers (32) played crucial roles.
Result: Zimbabwe won by 4 wickets
2nd T20I – Dec 13, 2025
Afghanistan again chose to bat first and posted 153/6, led by Darwish Rasooli’s 58. Zimbabwe looked shaky in the chase and never recovered as Afghanistan bowled them out for 103.
Rashid Khan and Naveen-ul-Haq shared six wickets between them to level the series.
Result: Afghanistan won by 50 runs
3rd T20I – Dec 11, 2025
Zimbabwe batted first and posted 127 runs. Rashid Khan was once again lethal, picking up four wickets.
Afghanistan lost early wickets but Azmatullah Omarzai (34) and Nabi (24*) saw them through. Afghanistan won the match by 3 wickets and took the series 2–1.
Result: Afghanistan won by 3 wickets
Series Recap: A Tour to Remember
Afghanistan came into Zimbabwe with high hopes and left with a statement made. They dominated in every format, showing just how far they’ve come as a team. Their performances—especially in Tests and ODIs—highlighted the growing depth and maturity of their squad.
Final Results:
- Test Series: Afghanistan won 1–0
- ODI Series: Afghanistan won 2–0
- T20I Series: Afghanistan won 2–1
As the Champions Trophy looms on the horizon, Afghanistan’s confidence will be sky-high after this commanding tour. For Zimbabwe, there were moments of brilliance, but they’ll need to regroup and rebuild ahead of the next big challenge.