The Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Match Scorecard from the 3rd T20I at Harare Sports Club on November 2, 2025, tells the story of a breathtaking contest that Afghanistan edged by just 9 runs to clinch a clean 3-0 series sweep. Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s explosive 92 off 48 balls and Ibrahim Zadran’s composed 60 laid a formidable platform of 210/3 for Afghanistan, while Zimbabwe’s valiant chase fuelled by Sikandar Raza’s rapid fifty and Ryan Burl’s ferocious cameo fell agonisingly short at 201 all out.
This Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team match scorecard will be remembered as one of the most dramatic T20 finishes of the 2025 tour. A 159-run opening stand between Gurbaz and Zadran broke the game open for Afghanistan in the first innings, but Zimbabwe refused to surrender, taking the contest deep into the final over before Abdollah Ahmadzai held his nerve to seal the win for the visitors.
Match Summary Table
| Team | Runs | Wickets | Overs | Run Rate | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 210 | 3 | 20 | 10.50 | Won by 9 runs |
| Zimbabwe | 201 | 10 | 20 | 10.05 | Lost |
Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat first at the Harare Sports Club a decision that proved decisive on a flat, batting-friendly pitch. The visitors posted a commanding total powered by their blazing opening partnership. Despite a spirited chase from Zimbabwe, who reached 92/2 at the halfway mark, late wickets in the death overs proved too costly, and Afghanistan sealed a memorable 3-0 series sweep with just 9 runs to spare.
Batting Highlights — Afghanistan Innings
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 92 | 48 | 8 | 5 | 191.67 | c Raza b Ngarava |
| Ibrahim Zadran | 60 | 41 | 7 | 1 | 146.34 | b Evans |
| Shahidullah Kamal | 18 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 150.00 | c Bennett b Evans |
| Sediqullah Atal | 35* | 15 | 2 | 3 | 233.33 | Not out |
| Mohammad Nabi | 0* | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | Not out |
DNB: Darwish Rasooli, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fareed Ahmad, Abdollah Ahmadzai
Fall of Wickets: 1-159 (Gurbaz, 15.4 ov) | 2-163 (Zadran, 16.3 ov) | 3-199 (Shahidullah, 19.3 ov)
The defining feature of Afghanistan’s innings was the 159-run opening partnership between Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran the kind of stand that makes opposition bowling attacks look helpless. Gurbaz anchored the innings with relentless aggression, plundering the first over for 19 and never letting the bowlers settle. Zadran was the calmer presence at the other end, but no less effective, smashing four successive boundaries off Maposa in the fourth over. By the powerplay, Afghanistan were already 73/0 an imposing platform. Sediqullah Atal’s pyrotechnic unbeaten 35 off just 15 deliveries in the slog overs ensured Afghanistan posted a match-winning 210/3.
Batting Highlights — Zimbabwe Innings
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dion Myers | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 114.29 | Run out (direct hit) |
| Brendan Taylor | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 75.00 | c & b Fareed Ahmad |
| Brian Bennett | 47 | 35 | 4 | 2 | 134.29 | c Nabi b Ahmadzai |
| Sikandar Raza (c) | 51 | 29 | 5 | 2 | 175.86 | b Mujeeb Ur Rahman |
| Ryan Burl | 37 | 15 | 0 | 5 | 246.67 | b Mujeeb Ur Rahman |
| Clive Madande | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 80.00 | b Fareed Ahmad |
| Brad Evans | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 | c †Gurbaz b Fareed Ahmad |
| Tashinga Musekiwa | 28 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 164.71 | c Shahidullah b Farooqi |
| Wellington Masakadza | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 125.00 | Not out |
| Tinotenda Maposa | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 | b Ahmadzai |
| Richard Ngarava | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 166.67 | c Mujeeb b Ahmadzai |
Extras: 10 (wd 7, nb 3)
Fall of Wickets: 1-15 (Myers, 2.1 ov) | 2-19 (Taylor, 2.5 ov) | 3-104 (Raza, 10.5 ov) | 4-126 (Bennett, 12.5 ov) | 5-162 (Burl, 15.4 ov) | 6-172 (Madande, 17.1 ov) | 7-178 (Evans, 17.5 ov) | 8-190 (Musekiwa, 18.4 ov) | 9-192 (Maposa, 19.2 ov) | 10-201 (Ngarava, 19.6 ov)
Zimbabwe’s innings was a genuine rollercoaster. Two early wickets inside the powerplay Myers’ soft run-out and Taylor’s chip to mid-on had the home side reeling at 19/2. The Raza-Bennett partnership was a statement of intent, adding 85 runs to revive the chase. Raza brought up his 16th T20I fifty in 28 deliveries, but was undone by Mujeeb’s arm ball on the very next delivery a devastating blow. Ryan Burl’s brutal 37 off 15 balls, including five sixes, kept hope alive, but Afghanistan’s bowlers returned in the death overs to bundle Zimbabwe out 9 runs short.
Bowling Figures — Zimbabwe Bowlers
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wellington Masakadza | 2 | 24 | 0 | 12.00 | 0 |
| Richard Ngarava | 3 | 33 | 1 | 11.00 | 0 |
| Tinotenda Maposa | 2 | 38 | 0 | 19.00 | 0 |
| Sikandar Raza | 4 | 20 | 0 | 5.00 | 0 |
| Ryan Burl | 4 | 55 | 0 | 13.75 | 0 |
| Brad Evans | 4 | 33 | 2 | 8.25 | 0 |
| Brian Bennett | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7.00 | 0 |
Sikandar Raza was Zimbabwe’s most economical bowler, conceding only 20 runs in 4 disciplined overs. Brad Evans claimed 2 wickets and was the pick of the attack in the death, dismissing both Gurbaz and Zadran in quick succession. However, the powerplay damage where Afghanistan scored 73 without loss was simply too great to overcome.
Bowling Figures — Afghanistan Bowlers
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abdollah Ahmadzai | 4 | 42 | 3 | 10.50 | 0 |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 4 | 29 | 2 | 7.25 | 0 |
| Fareed Ahmad | 4 | 36 | 2 | 9.00 | 0 |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 4 | 48 | 2 | 12.00 | 0 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 4 | 36 | 0 | 9.00 | 0 |
| Sharafuddin Ashraf | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 |
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Abdollah Ahmadzai was Afghanistan’s standout bowler, bagging 3 wickets including the decisive final wicket to seal the match. Fazalhaq Farooqi’s 2/29 was the most economical performance in the death overs. Mujeeb Ur Rahman broke Zimbabwe’s back in the middle overs, dismissing the dangerous Raza and Burl to deflate the chase. Afghanistan’s bowling attack was patient and smart conceding runs when they had to but striking at exactly the right moments.
Key Moments & Tactical Analysis
Toss Impact: Afghanistan’s decision to bat first was perfectly judged on a flat Harare track with little movement. Batting first removed any risk of dew affecting their bowling attack in the second innings a classic piece of captaincy thinking from Ibrahim Zadran.
Powerplay Momentum: Afghanistan’s powerplay of 73/0 was their third-highest ever after the first six overs. The first over alone went for 19 runs, courtesy of Gurbaz’s audacious paddle-flick and pulls off Masakadza. Zimbabwe never recovered from that opening onslaught.
Turning Point: The dismissal of Sikandar Raza for 51 at 104/3 was the critical moment in Zimbabwe’s innings. He was given out handled-the-ball in comical fashion the ball ricocheted off his gloves and trickled towards the stumps, and in trying to brush it away, he was caught. Without him, Zimbabwe’s control of the chase crumbled.
Captaincy Decisions: Zadran’s bowling rotations were sharp he brought Mujeeb Ur Rahman on at exactly the right time to break the Raza-Burl threat in the middle overs. Keeping Farooqi for the penultimate over and Ahmadzai for the final was astute death-bowling management.
Pitch & Dew Factor: The pitch was a belter throughout, offering little assistance to the pacemen in both innings. A dry outfield and minimal dew made conditions nearly identical for both batting sides, making Afghanistan’s 9-run margin a true reflection of their superior skill on the night.
Key Stats Table
| Metric | Afghanistan | Zimbabwe |
|---|---|---|
| Total Runs | 210/3 | 201/10 |
| Extras | 11 | 10 |
| Boundaries (4s) | 25 | 13 |
| Sixes (6s) | 14 | 11 |
| Run Rate | 10.50 | 10.05 |
| Powerplay Score | 73/0 | 19/2 |
| Highest Partnership | 159 (Gurbaz-Zadran, 1st wkt) | 85 (Raza-Bennett, 3rd wkt) |
| Top Scorer | Gurbaz – 92 (48) | Raza – 51 (29) |
| Leading Wicket-Taker | Ahmadzai – 3/42 | Evans – 2/33 |
The statistics tell an emphatic story: Afghanistan hit 25 fours and 14 sixes against Zimbabwe’s 13 fours and 11 sixes. The biggest gap was the powerplay Afghanistan’s 73/0 versus Zimbabwe’s 19/2 was a 54-run differential that ultimately proved decisive. Even with a dazzling second-innings display, Zimbabwe could never truly close that gap.
Head-to-Head Analysis — Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe (T20Is)
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team matches in T20 cricket have been thoroughly one-sided. After the 2025 tour, Afghanistan lead the head-to-head record 19–2 in T20Is, making them statistically one of the most dominant teams in this particular matchup in world cricket. Their T20I win percentage against Zimbabwe stands at over 90%, a remarkable record.
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Total T20Is Played | 21 |
| Afghanistan Wins | 19 |
| Zimbabwe Wins | 2 |
| Afghanistan Win % | 90.48% |
| Last Series Result | Afghanistan 3–0 (Nov 2025) |
| Highest Team Total (AFG) | 215/6 – Sharjah, 2016 |
| Highest Team Total (ZIM) | 201/10 – Harare, Nov 2025 |
| Afghanistan’s Best Winning Margin | 10 wickets (multiple occasions) |
| Zimbabwe’s Only T20I Wins | Sep 2019 (Chattogram), Dec 2024 (Harare) |
Zimbabwe’s 201 in this match was their highest total against Afghanistan in T20Is evidence of genuine improvement even in defeat.
Historical Rivalry
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team timeline stretches back to 2010. The two nations first met in T20I cricket as emerging associate programmes rapidly developing into full Test-playing nations. While Zimbabwe’s cricketing infrastructure has decades of history behind it, Afghanistan’s meteoric rise from ICC associate status to Test cricket in just a decade has been one of the sport’s great modern stories.
Afghanistan’s dominance over Zimbabwe in T20Is has been built on a bedrock of world-class spin bowling Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi have consistently dismantled Zimbabwe’s batting and aggressive, stroke-playing openers. Zimbabwe’s only consistent bright spot across Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team stats has been Sikandar Raza, who has single-handedly kept many chases alive with his inventive strokeplay.
The December 2024 series was a watershed moment for Zimbabwe when they claimed a shock T20I win at home, hinting that the gap is slowly closing. However, Afghanistan’s 3-0 sweep in November 2025 was a firm reminder of who holds the upper hand in this rivalry.
Key Records in Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe T20Is:
| Record | Detail |
|---|---|
| Most Runs (AFG) | Mohammad Nabi – 485 runs |
| Most Wickets (AFG) | Rashid Khan – 35 wickets |
| Top ZIM Scorer | Sikandar Raza |
| Highest Partnership (AFG) | 159 – Gurbaz & Zadran (Nov 2025) |
| Player of Series (Nov 2025) | Ibrahim Zadran – 169 series runs |
Read Also: New Zealand National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
Conclusion
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team match scorecard from November 2, 2025, concludes a flawless 3-0 series sweep for the Afghan side a remarkable bounce-back from their Test match defeat just weeks earlier. This Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team contest demonstrated that, even without stars like Rashid Khan and Azmatullah Omarzai, Afghanistan’s depth is frightening.
Zimbabwe’s spirited showing particularly from Raza, Bennett, and Burl signals real progress, but the gulf in T20 power-play batting remains stark. The 3-match series was a valuable preparation exercise for both sides ahead of upcoming ICC events. For Afghanistan, this clean sweep cements their status as one of world cricket’s most dangerous T20 sides. For Zimbabwe, the series leaves lessons to learn but also genuine cause for optimism.
? FAQs
What was the final score?
Afghanistan 210/3 beat Zimbabwe 201 all out by 9 runs in the 3rd T20I at Harare on November 2, 2025.
Who was Player of the Match?
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan) 92 runs off 48 balls with 8 fours and 5 sixes.
Who scored the most runs?
Rahmanullah Gurbaz top-scored with 92 (48 balls) for Afghanistan; Sikandar Raza top-scored for Zimbabwe with 51 (29 balls).
Who took the most wickets?
Abdollah Ahmadzai was the pick of Afghanistan’s bowlers with 3 wickets for 42 runs in 4 overs.
What was the turning point?
Sikandar Raza’s bizarre dismissal for 51 at the 104/3 mark bowled in unusual fashion by Mujeeb Ur Rahman broke Zimbabwe’s back just when they were positioning themselves for a stunning upset.
Who won the Player of the Series award?
Ibrahim Zadran won Player of the Series for scoring 169 runs across the three-match T20I series, including three consecutive fifties.
Did Afghanistan complete a series sweep?
Yes. Afghanistan won all three T20Is to complete a 3-0 clean sweep of the Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team series in 2025.
