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Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan, One-off Test Match Summary

ZIM vs AFG, 2025 - Test Summary

Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Scorecard
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Match Ended   
359
127&159 (43.0)
Zimbabwe beat Afghanistan by an innings and 73 runs
AFG 127/10
Bat Top Batsmen
37 (37)
  • 3x4s
  • 0x6s
  • 100SR
30 (40)
  • 2x4s
  • 0x6s
  • 75SR
Bowl Top Bowlers
Bowler
ECON 2.31
9.3
OVERS
22/5
R/W
11
OVERS
47/3
R/W
ZIM 359/10
Bat Top Batsmen
121 (256)
  • 15x4s
  • 0x6s
  • 47.26SR
65 (88)
  • 7x4s
  • 0x6s
  • 73.86SR
Bowl Top Bowlers
Bowler
ECON 3.03
32
OVERS
97/7
R/W
Bowler
ECON 3.40
15
OVERS
51/2
R/W
AFG 159/10
Bat Top Batsmen
42 (59)
  • 5x4s
  • 0x6s
  • 71.18SR
32 (33)
  • 6x4s
  • 0x6s
  • 96.96SR
Bowl Top Bowlers
Bowler
ECON 2.84
13
OVERS
37/5
R/W
12
OVERS
48/3
R/W
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Right then, that is it from the one-off test between these two sides. A comprehensive win for the hosts as they win by an innings and 73 runs!  Craig Ervine and his victorious Zimbabwean players smile widely while posing with the one-off Test trophy. We now move on to the T20I series between these two sides. The first game will be played on Wednesday, the 29th of October at 11.30 am GMT. Do join us for the early build-up as well. Until then, take care, and cheers!
Craig Ervine, the skipper of Zimbabwe, says that his team has worked hard throughout the year. He adds that winning the toss was a crucial factor and commends the bowlers, particularly highlighting Ben Curran's composed innings. He mentions individual performances from Ben Curran, Brad Evans, Richard Ngarava, Chivanga, and Blessing Muzarabani, wishing the latter had taken more wickets.
Ben Curran is the Player of the Match for his knock of 121 runs! He says that he is delighted with his performance, especially after overcoming an injury. He adds that the transition from injury to playing against New Zealand was challenging, but this Test match was special, and the win was a bonus. Curran credits his batting coach for helping him work on his plans, which contributed to his success.
Hashmatullah Shahidi, the skipper of Afghanistan, says that Zimbabwe's cricket has improved, and they used their fast bowlers well. He adds that they played poorly, losing wickets in clusters due to a lack of Test experience. He also says Ziaur Rahman's bowling was excellent, and he hopes that he'll continue playing for Afghanistan for a long time.
Presentations coming up...
The Zimbabwean bowlers were simply relentless, and their pace attack proved too hot to handle. The standout performer was Richard Ngarava, who tore through the Afghan order to claim a sensational five-wicket haul in the second innings, an outstanding effort! He was well supported by Blessing Muzarabani, who chipped in with three crucial wickets, while Tanaka Chivanga bagged the remaining two. It was a clinical performance from the home side's bowling unit, ensuring a comprehensive and well-deserved victory.
Facing a monumental task in their second innings, the Afghan batting line-up ultimately crumbled under the pressure. While Ibrahim Zadran showed some resistance, top-scoring with a patient 42, and Bahir Shah added a solid 32, the rest of the team offered little fight. The visitors were bundled out for a meager 159, succumbing to a heavy defeat by an innings and 73 runs. It was a disappointing end to a tough outing for the Afghans.
Evans' devastating five-wicket haul crippled Afghanistan initially, but Sharifi's historic seven-wicket performance prevented Zimbabwe from running away with an even larger total. With the Chevrons holding a commanding 232-run lead, the stage was set for a tense third innings, but the sheer scale of the deficit left Afghanistan with a mountain to climb.
In reply, Zimbabwe began their innings successfully but had to fight for every run against the spirited Afghan attack. Brendan Taylor and Craig Ervine fell to the quick bowlers, but the recovery was launched by Sikandar Raza and a patient Ben Curran. Despite a middle-innings grind where key wickets fell right before the breaks, Curran anchored the innings, eventually scoring a superb century. The main drama came from Afghanistan's debutant seamer, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi, who tore through the latter half of the order, claiming an incredible seven wickets, the best-ever figures for an Afghan on Test debut, as Zimbabwe were finally dismissed for 359, establishing a significant lead of 232 runs.
A comprehensive win for Zimbabwe! It was a dramatic tug-of-war between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan. After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Zimbabwe's seamers, led by a sensational spell from Brad Evans (5/22), skittled Afghanistan for a paltry 127 in the first innings, despite a stabilizing second-wicket partnership. The visitors collapsed rapidly after the drinks break, losing nine wickets for just 50 runs, setting a low target for the Chevrons.
Over 43 : 159/10
0 Runs
  • 042.1
  • 042.2
  • W 42.3
  • 042.4
  • 042.5
  • W 42.6
Z. Rahman
0 (3)
Y. Ahmadzai
13 (19)
B. Muzarabani
12-1-48-3
42.6
W
Blessing Muzarabani To Ziaur Rahman OUT!
OUT! BOWLED! Job done. Right on the money from Blessing Muzarabani. He serves in a yorker on middle and off. Rahman tries to dig it out but misses and it hits the stumps. Zimbabwe win by an innings and 73 runs.
42.5
0
Blessing Muzarabani To Ziaur Rahman
Very full and around off, Rahman pushes it to cover.
42.4
0
Blessing Muzarabani To Ziaur Rahman
Bowls a yorker, just outside off. Rahman tries to push it away but misses. An appeal follows for caught behind but turned down.
Ziaur Rahman is the last man in.
42.3
W
Blessing Muzarabani To Khalil Gurbaz OUT!
OUT!! KNOCKED OVER! Blessing Muzarabani bowls a fuller delivery, targeting the off pole. Khalil Gurbaz makes room to drive but misses it completely and it crashes the stumps. Afghanistan are one wicket away now.
42.2
0
Blessing Muzarabani To Khalil Gurbaz
Goes full and keeps it around off, Khalil Gurbaz swings hard but fails to connect.
42.1
0
Blessing Muzarabani To Khalil Gurbaz
Blessing Muzarabani begins with a bumper on middle, Khalil Gurbaz makes room to pull but misses.
Over 42 : 159/8
4 Runs
  • 041.1
  • 441.2
  • 041.3
  • 041.4
  • 041.5
  • 041.6
Y. Ahmadzai
13 (19)
K. Gurbaz
6 (4)
R. Ngarava
13-2-37-5
41.6
0
Richard Ngarava To Yamin Ahmadzai
Too short and on the leg side. Yamin Ahmadzai bends as he tries to pull but misses.
41.5
0
Richard Ngarava To Yamin Ahmadzai
Drops it short and on leg, Yamin Ahmadzai looks to pull but misses it.
41.4
0
Richard Ngarava To Yamin Ahmadzai
CHANCE! Good length ball, around off, Yamin Ahmadzai punches it straight to Richard Ngarava. It comes at a good height but he fails to hold on.
41.3
0
Richard Ngarava To Yamin Ahmadzai
Short in length and outside off, climbs a bit. Yamin Ahmadzai slashes and misses.
41.2
4
Richard Ngarava To Yamin Ahmadzai
FOUR! JUST OVER! Drops it short and outside off, Yamin Ahmadzai throws his bat at it and edges it over second slip for a boundary.
41.1
0
Richard Ngarava To Yamin Ahmadzai
Drops it short and on leg, Yamin Ahmadzai looks to hoick it across but misses.
Over 41 : 155/8
12 Runs
  • 440.1
  • 040.2
  • 140.3
  • 640.4
  • 040.5
  • 1 LB 40.6
Y. Ahmadzai
9 (13)
K. Gurbaz
6 (4)
T. Chivanga
11-1-40-2
40.6
lb
Tanaka Chivanga To Yamin Ahmadzai
Leg bye! A low full toss on the pads, Yamin Ahmadzai misses his flick and it rolls to square leg for a leg bye.
40.5
0
Tanaka Chivanga To Yamin Ahmadzai
Short and down leg, Yamin Ahmadzai doesn't even move.
40.4
6
Tanaka Chivanga To Yamin Ahmadzai
SIX! Where has this come from? In the slot, full and on middle, Yamin Ahmadzai thumps it down to long on and it goes all the way.
40.3
1
Tanaka Chivanga To Khalil Gurbaz
A length ball, wide of off. Khalil Gurbaz slaps it through cover for a single.
40.2
0
Tanaka Chivanga To Khalil Gurbaz
Shorter and down the leg side, Khalil Gurbaz looks to pull but misses.
40.1
4
Tanaka Chivanga To Khalil Gurbaz
FOUR! Superb shot! Tanaka Chivanga bowls it very full and on leg, Khalil Gurbaz makes room and thumps it down the ground for a boundary.
Over 40 : 143/8
2 Runs
  • 039.1
  • 039.2
  • 039.3
  • 139.4
  • W 39.5
  • 139.6
K. Gurbaz
1 (1)
Y. Ahmadzai
3 (10)
R. Ngarava
12-2-33-5
39.6
1
Richard Ngarava To Khalil Gurbaz
This is full and outside off, Khalil Gurbaz punches it to mid off for a single.
43 OV
0 Runs
B. Muzarabani to K. Gurbaz Z. Rahman
  • 042.1
  • 042.2
  • W 42.3
  • 042.4
  • 042.5
  • W 42.6
42 OV
4 Runs
R. Ngarava to Y. Ahmadzai
  • 041.1
  • 441.2
  • 041.3
  • 041.4
  • 041.5
  • 041.6
41 OV
12 Runs
T. Chivanga to K. Gurbaz Y. Ahmadzai
  • 440.1
  • 040.2
  • 140.3
  • 640.4
  • 040.5
  • 1 LB 40.6
40 OV
2 Runs
R. Ngarava to Y. Ahmadzai S. Ashraf K. Gurbaz
  • 039.1
  • 039.2
  • 039.3
  • 139.4
  • W 39.5
  • 139.6
39 OV
1 Runs
T. Chivanga to Y. Ahmadzai S. Ashraf
  • 038.1
  • 038.2
  • 038.3
  • 138.4
  • 038.5
  • 038.6
38 OV
5 Runs
R. Ngarava to I. Alam Y. Ahmadzai S. Ashraf
  • 037.1
  • 037.2
  • W 37.3
  • 037.4
  • 137.5
  • 437.6
37 OV
3 Runs
T. Chivanga to I. Alam S. Ashraf
  • 136.1
  • 1 WD 36.2
  • 036.2
  • 036.3
  • 036.4
  • 036.5
  • 1 NB 36.6
  • 036.6
36 OV
4 Runs
R. Ngarava to S. Ashraf
  • 035.1
  • 035.2
  • 035.3
  • 435.4
  • 035.5
  • 035.6
35 OV
1 Runs
T. Chivanga to A. Zazai S. Ashraf I. Alam
  • W 34.1
  • 134.2
  • 034.3
  • 034.4
  • 034.5
  • 034.6
34 OV
4 Runs
B. Muzarabani to I. Alam
  • 033.1
  • 433.2
  • 033.3
  • 033.4
  • 033.5
  • 033.6
33 OV
5 Runs
T. Chivanga to I. Alam A. Zazai
  • 032.1
  • 032.2
  • 432.3
  • 1 B 32.4
  • 032.5
  • 032.6
32 OV
5 Runs
B. Muzarabani to I. Alam A. Zazai
  • 031.1
  • 031.2
  • 331.3
  • 031.4
  • 131.5
  • 131.6
31 OV
4 Runs
T. Chivanga to A. Zazai I. Alam
  • 030.1
  • 030.2
  • 030.3
  • 130.4
  • 030.5
  • 330.6
30 OV
5 Runs
B. Muzarabani to A. Zazai B. Shah I. Alam
  • 429.1
  • 029.2
  • 129.3
  • W 29.4
  • 029.5
  • 029.6
29 OV
1 Runs
T. Chivanga to A. Zazai B. Shah
  • 028.1
  • 028.2
  • 028.3
  • 128.4
  • 028.5
  • 028.6
28 OV
6 Runs
B. Muzarabani to B. Shah
  • 027.1
  • 027.2
  • 027.3
  • 427.4
  • 027.5
  • 227.6
27 OV
15 Runs
B. Evans to B. Shah
  • 426.1
  • 426.2
  • 426.3
  • 226.4
  • 026.5
  • 126.6
26 OV
4 Runs
B. Muzarabani to A. Zazai B. Shah
  • 325.1
  • 025.2
  • 125.3
  • 025.4
  • 025.5
  • 025.6
25 OV
1 Runs
B. Evans to A. Zazai B. Shah
  • 024.1
  • 024.2
  • 024.3
  • 024.4
  • 124.5
  • 024.6
24 OV
5 Runs
B. Muzarabani to A. Zazai B. Shah
  • 423.1
  • 023.2
  • 123.3
  • 023.4
  • 023.5
  • 023.6
23 OV
6 Runs
B. Evans to B. Shah A. Zazai
  • 022.1
  • 022.2
  • 122.3
  • 022.4
  • 1 B 22.5
  • 422.6
22 OV
2 Runs
R. Ngarava to A. Zazai B. Shah
  • 121.1
  • 121.2
  • 021.3
  • 021.4
  • 021.5
  • 021.6
21 OV
4 Runs
B. Evans to B. Shah
  • 020.1
  • 020.2
  • 020.3
  • 020.4
  • 420.5
  • 020.6
20 OV
0 Runs
R. Ngarava to H. Shahidi A. Zazai
  • 019.1
  • 019.2
  • 019.3
  • 019.4
  • W 19.5
  • 019.6
19 OV
1 Runs
T. Chivanga to H. Shahidi B. Shah
  • 018.1
  • 018.2
  • 018.3
  • 018.4
  • 118.5
  • 018.6
18 OV
4 Runs
R. Ngarava to I. Zadran H. Shahidi
  • 217.1
  • 017.2
  • 117.3
  • 017.4
  • 117.5
  • W 17.6
17 OV
8 Runs
T. Chivanga to H. Shahidi I. Zadran
  • 016.1
  • 116.2
  • 016.3
  • 316.4
  • 016.5
  • 416.6
16 OV
4 Runs
R. Ngarava to I. Zadran
  • 015.1
  • 015.2
  • 015.3
  • 015.4
  • 415.5
  • 015.6
15 OV
0 Runs
T. Chivanga to R. Gurbaz H. Shahidi
  • 014.1
  • 014.2
  • W 14.3
  • 014.4
  • 014.5
  • 014.6
14 OV
3 Runs
R. Ngarava to R. Gurbaz I. Zadran
  • 113.1
  • 013.2
  • 013.3
  • 213.4
  • 013.5
  • 013.6
13 OV
6 Runs
T. Chivanga to I. Zadran R. Gurbaz
  • 012.1
  • 012.2
  • 012.3
  • 412.4
  • 112.5
  • 112.6
12 OV
1 Runs
B. Evans to I. Zadran R. Gurbaz
  • 111.1
  • 011.2
  • 011.3
  • 011.4
  • 011.5
  • 011.6
11 OV
3 Runs
S. Raza to I. Zadran R. Gurbaz
  • 110.1
  • 010.2
  • 210.3
  • 010.4
  • 010.5
  • 010.6
10 OV
2 Runs
B. Evans to R. Gurbaz I. Zadran
  • 19.1
  • 09.2
  • 09.3
  • 09.4
  • 19.5
  • 09.6
9 OV
1 Runs
B. Muzarabani to R. Gurbaz
  • 08.1
  • 08.2
  • 08.3
  • 08.4
  • 08.5
  • 18.6
8 OV
4 Runs
R. Ngarava to I. Zadran R. Gurbaz
  • 27.1
  • 07.2
  • 17.3
  • 17.4
  • 07.5
  • 07.6
7 OV
3 Runs
B. Muzarabani to I. Zadran R. Gurbaz
  • 06.1
  • 06.2
  • 26.3
  • 06.4
  • 16.5
  • 06.6
6 OV
4 Runs
R. Ngarava to R. Gurbaz I. Zadran
  • 15.1
  • 05.2
  • 05.3
  • 05.4
  • 35.5
  • 05.6
5 OV
6 Runs
B. Muzarabani to I. Zadran R. Gurbaz
  • 44.1
  • 04.2
  • 14.3
  • 04.4
  • 14.5
  • 04.6
4 OV
0 Runs
R. Ngarava to A. Malik
  • 03.1
  • 03.2
  • 03.3
  • 03.4
  • 03.5
  • W 3.6
3 OV
5 Runs
B. Muzarabani to A. Malik I. Zadran
  • 02.1
  • 02.2
  • 02.3
  • 12.4
  • 02.5
  • 42.6
2 OV
1 Runs
R. Ngarava to A. Malik I. Zadran
  • 11.1
  • 01.2
  • 01.3
  • 01.4
  • 01.5
  • 01.6
1 OV
4 Runs
B. Muzarabani to I. Zadran
  • 00.1
  • 00.2
  • 40.3
  • 00.4
  • 00.5
  • 00.6
Match Info
  • Venue Harare Sports Club, Harare
  • Weather Sunny
  • Toss Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to field
  • Result Zimbabwe beat Afghanistan by an innings and 73 runs
  • Player of the Match Ben Curran
  • Umpire Adrian Holdstock (SA), Nitin Menon (IND) and Forster Mutizwa (ZIM)
  • Referee Sir Richie Richardson (WI)
Match Notes
  • Stumps: Zimbabwe 130/2 in 38.0 overs
  • B Curran Test fifty: 50 runs in 108 balls (5x4) (0x6)
  • Zimbabwe 100/1 in 32.0 overs
  • Drinks: Zimbabwe 85/1 in 28.0 overs
  • Zimbabwe 51/1 in 17.4 overs
  • Tea: Zimbabwe 40/1 in 14.0 overs
  • Innings Break: Afghanistan 127/10 in 32.3 overs
  • Brad Evans Maiden Test 5-wicket haul: 5/22 (9.3)
  • Lunch: Afghanistan 106/5 in 24.0 overs
  • Afghanistan 100/3 in 21.4 overs
  • Drinks: Afghanistan 68/1 in 13.0 overs
  • Afghanistan 52/1 in 10.3 overs
  • Stumps: Afghanistan 34/1 in 12.0 overs
  • Innings Break: Zimbabwe 359/10 in 103.0 overs
  • Drinks: Zimbabwe 355/9 in 102.0 overs
  • Zimbabwe 350/9 in 101.1 overs
  • Z Rahman maiden Test 5-wicket haul: 5/81 (26.5)
  • Tea: Zimbabwe 302/6 in 89.4 overs
  • Zimbabwe 300/5 in 87.3 overs
  • New ball taken: Zimbabwe 276/5 in 80.3 overs
  • Drinks: Zimbabwe 266/5 in 78.0 overs
  • B Curran maiden Test hundred: 100 runs in 217 balls (11x4) (0x6)
  • Zimbabwe 250/4 in 71.1 overs
  • S Raza 11th Test fifty: 50 runs in 67 balls (6x4) (0x6)
  • 5th wkt Partnership: 50 off 80 balls between B Curran (13) and S Raza (37)
  • Lunch: Zimbabwe 214/4 in 62.0 overs
  • Zimbabwe 200/4 in 58.6 overs
  • Drinks: Zimbabwe 167/4 in 50.0 overs
  • Zimbabwe 150/2 in 43.3 overs
  • R Ngarava maiden Test 5-wicket haul: 5/37 (13.0)
  • Y Ahmadzai dropped on 13 by R Ngarava in 41.4 overs
  • Afghanistan 154/8 in 40.4 overs
  • Lunch: Afghanistan 127/6 in 34.1 overs
  • Afghanistan 101/4 in 27.4 overs
  • Drinks: Afghanistan 77/4 in 23.4 overs
  • Afghanistan 51/2 in 16.4 overs
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