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The Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team matches have developed into an interesting multi-format rivalry, with the two sides meeting regularly in Tests, ODIs and T20Is. Afghanistan have generally held the stronger overall record, particularly in limited-overs cricket, while Zimbabwe have also produced important victories, including a notable Test win in October 2025.
As of October 2026, the two teams have completed 56 international matches across the three formats. Afghanistan have won 40 of those matches, Zimbabwe have won 14, one ODI ended without a result, and one Test was drawn. Their next scheduled meetings are part of Afghanistan’s multi-format programme against Zimbabwe in October and November 2026.
Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Matches Overview
Afghanistan and Zimbabwe have faced each other across all three major international formats. Their rivalry began in the limited-overs arena and later expanded into Test cricket as Afghanistan established themselves as a Test-playing nation.
The overall record is heavily influenced by Afghanistan’s strong results in T20Is and ODIs. Before their 2025 meetings, Afghanistan had already won 18 of 28 ODIs and 14 of 15 T20Is against Zimbabwe. The 2024-25 tour and the subsequent 2025 Test and T20I matches added further encounters to the head-to-head record.
| Format | Matches | Afghanistan Wins | Zimbabwe Wins | Draw/NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 Draw |
| ODIs | 31 | 20 | 10 | 1 NR |
| T20Is | 20 | 18 | 2 | 0 |
| Overall | 56 | 40 | 14 | 2 |
The T20I record is especially one-sided, with Afghanistan winning 18 of the 20 completed head-to-head T20Is recorded by current statistical sources.
Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Head-to-Head Record
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team matches have covered different venues and competitions over the years, from bilateral series to multi-team tournaments.
In ODIs, Afghanistan have won 20 of 31 meetings, while Zimbabwe have won 10 and one match ended without a result. The most recent completed ODI series between the sides came in December 2024, when Afghanistan won two matches and the opening ODI was abandoned.
In T20Is, Afghanistan’s record is even stronger. The teams have played 20 T20Is according to head-to-head records updated after the 2025 series, with Afghanistan winning 18 and Zimbabwe winning two.
| Head-to-Head Category | Afghanistan | Zimbabwe |
|---|---|---|
| Overall international wins | 40 | 14 |
| Test wins | 2 | 2 |
| ODI wins | 20 | 10 |
| T20I wins | 18 | 2 |
| Draws | 1 | 1 |
| No Results | 1 | 1 |
The figures show why Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe matches are often associated with Afghanistan’s dominance in white-ball cricket, while Test cricket has been considerably more competitive.
Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Test Matches
Test cricket between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe has been relatively limited compared with their ODI and T20I meetings.
The first two Tests between the sides were played in March 2021 in Abu Dhabi. Zimbabwe won the opening Test by 10 wickets, while Afghanistan responded in the second Test with a six-wicket victory.
Their next Test series came in December 2024 and January 2025. The Boxing Day Test in Bulawayo ended in a draw after Afghanistan posted 699 in their first innings. Afghanistan then won the second Test by 72 runs after Zimbabwe were set 363 in the fourth innings.
In October 2025, Zimbabwe recorded another significant Test victory. Zimbabwe defeated Afghanistan by an innings and 73 runs at Harare Sports Club, with Richard Ngarava taking 5/37 in Afghanistan’s second innings.
| Test | Date | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | Mar 2021 | Abu Dhabi | Zimbabwe won by 10 wickets |
| 2nd Test | Mar 2021 | Abu Dhabi | Afghanistan won by 6 wickets |
| 1st Test | Dec 2024 | Bulawayo | Match drawn |
| 2nd Test | Jan 2025 | Bulawayo | Afghanistan won by 72 runs |
| One-off Test | Oct 2025 | Harare | Zimbabwe won by an innings and 73 runs |
The Test record therefore stands at two wins apiece, with one match drawn, making the longest format the most evenly balanced part of the rivalry.
Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe ODI Matches
ODIs form a substantial part of the Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team matches. Before the 2024 tour, Afghanistan had already won 18 of the first 28 ODI meetings.
The December 2024 ODI series added three more scheduled encounters. The first match was abandoned without a result, while Afghanistan won the second ODI by 232 runs and the third by eight wickets.
The second ODI was particularly notable because Afghanistan scored 286/6 before dismissing Zimbabwe for only 54. The 232-run margin was one of the largest victories in the teams’ ODI history.
| Date | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 17, 2024 | 1st ODI | Abandoned |
| Dec 19, 2024 | 2nd ODI | Afghanistan won by 232 runs |
| Dec 21, 2024 | 3rd ODI | Afghanistan won by 8 wickets |
| Earlier ODI meetings | Multiple | Afghanistan hold the overall advantage |
According to current head-to-head records, Afghanistan have won 20 of 31 ODIs against Zimbabwe, while Zimbabwe have won 10. One ODI ended without a result.
Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe T20I Matches
T20I cricket has produced the largest statistical advantage for Afghanistan in this rivalry.
Afghanistan’s Cricket Board records 18 T20I victories against Zimbabwe from their first 18 meetings through December 2024, with Zimbabwe winning two. The 2025 T20I series then added two completed matches, both won by Afghanistan, taking the head-to-head total to 20 matches.
The December 2024 T20I series began with Zimbabwe winning the first match by four wickets. Afghanistan then won the second by 50 runs and the third by three wickets.
In October 2025, Afghanistan again won the first two T20Is. They won the opening match by 53 runs after scoring 180/6 and dismissing Zimbabwe for 127. In the second match, Afghanistan chased 126 after Zimbabwe were bowled out for 125, winning by seven wickets.
| T20I Period | Matches | Afghanistan Wins | Zimbabwe Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to Dec 2024 | 18 | 16 | 2 |
| Oct 2025 completed matches | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 20 | 18 | 2 |
The 2025 series was particularly notable because Afghanistan secured the first two matches and therefore took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Recent Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Matches
The most recent completed Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe matches came during Zimbabwe’s home series against Afghanistan in October 2025.
The first T20I was played at Harare Sports Club on October 29, 2025. Afghanistan scored 180/6, led by Ibrahim Zadran’s 52, before bowling Zimbabwe out for 127. Afghanistan won by 53 runs.
Two days later, Afghanistan won the second T20I by seven wickets. Zimbabwe were dismissed for 125, with Rashid Khan taking 3/9. Ibrahim Zadran then remained unbeaten on 57 as Afghanistan completed the chase.
| Date | Format | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 20, 2025 | Test | Zimbabwe won by an innings and 73 runs |
| Oct 29, 2025 | T20I | Afghanistan won by 53 runs |
| Oct 31, 2025 | T20I | Afghanistan won by 7 wickets |
| Dec 21, 2024 | ODI | Afghanistan won by 8 wickets |
| Dec 19, 2024 | ODI | Afghanistan won by 232 runs |
| Dec 17, 2024 | ODI | No result |
The sequence highlights the contrast between the formats: Zimbabwe won the October 2025 Test, while Afghanistan won both completed T20Is later in the tour.
Important Matches Between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe
Several Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team matches stand out because of their margins or significance.
The 2018 ODI series featured a number of high-scoring and one-sided results and helped establish Afghanistan’s strong ODI record against Zimbabwe.
The 2021 Test series was significant because it marked the beginning of the teams’ Test rivalry. Zimbabwe won the first Test by 10 wickets before Afghanistan won the second by six wickets.
The December 2024 ODI series produced Afghanistan’s 232-run victory, while the December 2024 Test saw Afghanistan post a huge first-innings score of 699 before the match ended in a draw.
The January 2025 Test was another important encounter, with Afghanistan winning by 72 runs. Later that year, Zimbabwe responded with an innings-and-73-run Test victory in Harare.
| Match | Significant Result |
|---|---|
| 2021 1st Test | Zimbabwe won by 10 wickets |
| 2021 2nd Test | Afghanistan won by 6 wickets |
| 2024 2nd ODI | Afghanistan won by 232 runs |
| 2024 1st Test | Match drawn |
| 2025 2nd Test | Afghanistan won by 72 runs |
| 2025 One-off Test | Zimbabwe won by an innings and 73 runs |
| 2025 1st T20I | Afghanistan won by 53 runs |
| 2025 2nd T20I | Afghanistan won by 7 wickets |
Upcoming Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Matches
The rivalry is scheduled to continue with another multi-format programme in the UAE during October and November 2026.
The programme includes an ODI tri-nation series involving Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, followed by three T20Is between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe and two Tests. The Afghanistan Cricket Board has listed the Afghanistan-Zimbabwe ODI for October 19, the T20Is for October 27, October 29 and November 1, and the Tests for November 5-9 and November 13-17.
| Date | Format | Match |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 19, 2026 | ODI | Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe |
| Oct 27, 2026 | T20I | Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe |
| Oct 29, 2026 | T20I | Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe |
| Nov 1, 2026 | T20I | Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe |
| Nov 5-9, 2026 | Test | Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe |
| Nov 13-17, 2026 | Test | Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe |
These fixtures are scheduled matches and should not be added to the completed head-to-head statistics until the games are actually played.
Key Players in the Rivalry
A number of established players have contributed significantly to Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe matches.
For Afghanistan, players such as Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai have featured prominently across different formats.
Rashid Khan has been particularly influential in T20 cricket. In the second T20I of October 2025, he produced figures of 3/9 and was named Player of the Match. Ibrahim Zadran also played a major role, scoring an unbeaten 57 in that match after making 52 in the opening game.
Zimbabwe’s important contributors have included players such as Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Richard Ngarava and Ben Curran. Ngarava was central to Zimbabwe’s 2025 Test victory, taking 5/37 in Afghanistan’s second innings, while Curran scored his maiden Test century in the same match.
Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Matches FAQs
How many matches have Afghanistan and Zimbabwe played?
Afghanistan and Zimbabwe have completed 56 international matches across Tests, ODIs and T20Is based on the format-wise records available through the latest completed meetings in 2025.
Who has won more Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe matches?
Afghanistan have the stronger overall head-to-head record, with 40 wins compared with Zimbabwe’s 14 across the three formats.
How many ODIs have Afghanistan and Zimbabwe played?
The teams have played 31 ODIs. Afghanistan have won 20, Zimbabwe have won 10, and one ODI ended without a result.
How many T20Is have Afghanistan and Zimbabwe played?
The teams have played 20 T20Is. Afghanistan have won 18 and Zimbabwe have won two.
When is the next Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe series?
The next scheduled programme is in the UAE in October and November 2026. It includes an ODI, three T20Is and two Tests between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe.
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