Introduction: Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
The competition between the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team and the Afghanistan National Cricket Team has continually drawn interest, owing to their contrasting styles and rising depth within the shorter formats. The ultra-modern conflict added but any other nail-biter, and the Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan fit scorecard indicates why enthusiasts couldn’t take their eyes off the display screen. In a high-octane T20I wherein both sides aimed to assert dominance, Afghanistan edged out Zimbabwe — supplying masses of drama, key performances and a dramatic end.
Table of Contents
Match Overview
- Date: 2 November 2025
- Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare
- Format: T20 International (3rd T20I of the series)
- Toss Result: Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat first.
- Match Context / Stakes: This was the decider of the three-match T20I series between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan — a chance for Zimbabwe to salvage pride at home, while Afghanistan aimed to clinch a clean sweep. The pitch at Harare Sports Club generally offers a balanced contest between bat and ball, with moderate bounce and some assistance for seamers early on, making the toss decision to bat first a plausible call.
Playing XI & Toss Update
Afghanistan XI (batted first):
Likely included top-order batters such as Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, and middle-order including Sediqullah Atal and Mohammad Nabi.
Zimbabwe XI (bowled first):
Zimbabwe fielded their regular T20I core — including batters like Sikandar Raza, Brian Bennett, and bowlers such as Richard Ngarava, Brad Evans.
Afghanistan’s decision to bat first after winning the toss set the tone for a solid total — a move that ultimately paid off in the face of Zimbabwe’s spirited chase.
First Innings Summary (Batting: Afghanistan)
Afghanistan got off to a flying start. Opening batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz looked fluent, scoring 92 off just 48 balls with 8 fours and 5 sixes, striking at an incredible ~191.66.
Support came from Ibrahim Zadran, who anchored the middle overs with a composed 60 off 49 balls (7 fours), maintaining the momentum and steadying the innings after early aggression.
Lower down, Sediqullah Atal provided late fireworks — adding valuable runs to push the total to a formidable 210/3 in their allotted 20 overs.
Extras contributed 12 to the total (including wides and no-balls), which underlined Zimbabwe’s discipline lapses under pressure.
Key highlights of innings:
- Explosive power-play by Gurbaz setting the tone.
- Zadran’s mature knock stabilising after early aggression.
- Late acceleration by Atal.
- Afghanistan finishing strongly to post a competitive 210/3.
Second Innings Summary (Zimbabwe chase)
Zimbabwe came out chasing 211 with optimism. Early momentum was maintained through a brisk start from opener Brian Bennett, who scored 47 off 31 balls, striking 3 fours and 2 sixes — showing intent to match the required run rate.
Their middle order, anchored by Sikandar Raza, looked promising: Raza smashed 51 from 29 balls (7 fours, 2 sixes), and at one point Zimbabwe seemed on course for a dramatic finish.
But as pressure mounted in the death overs, Zimbabwe’s chase faltered — tight bowling from Afghanistan, particularly from Abdullah Ahmadzai (3/42) and Fazalhaq Farooqi (2/29), tilted the balance.
Eventually, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 201 in the final over, falling short by just 9 runs.
Turning points in chase:
- Steady start with Bennett and Raza.
- Decent mid-innings consolidation.
- Afghanistan’s disciplined death bowling under pressure.
- Zimbabwe’s inability to convert final overs into boundaries.
Full Scorecard Tables
Afghanistan Batting
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz (†) | 92 | 48 | 8 | 5 | 191.66 |
| Ibrahim Zadran | 60 | 49 | 7 | 0 | 122.44 |
| Sediqullah Atal | 35 | 15 | 2 | 3 | 233.33 |
| Shahidullah Kamal | 10 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 125.00 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Extras | – | – | – | – | 12 |
| Total (20 ov) | 210/3 |
Zimbabwe Batting
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Bennett | 47 | 31 | 3 | 2 | – |
| Sikandar Raza | 51 | 29 | 7 | 2 | – |
| Ryan Burl | 37 | 15 | 0 | 5 | – |
| Tashinga Musekiwa | 28 | 17 | 2 | 1 | – |
| Clive Madande | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | – |
| Brad Evans | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | – |
| Tinotenda Maposa | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | – |
| Wellington Masakadza | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | – |
| Richard Ngarava | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | – |
| Total (20 ov) | 201 all out |
Zimbabwe Bowling
| Bowler | Overs (O) | Maidens (M) | Runs Conceded (R) | Wickets (W) | Economy (R/O) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brad Evans | 4.0 | 0 | 33 | 2 | 8.25 |
| Richard Ngarava | 4.0 | 0 | 40 | 1 | 10.00 |
| Sikandar Raza | 4.0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 5.00 |
| Wellington Masakadza | 3.0 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 11.00 |
| Tinotenda Maposa | 2.0 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 16.50 |
| Ryan Burl | 3.0 | 0 | 48 | 0 | 16.00 |
Afghanistan Bowling
| Bowler | O (Overs) | M (Maidens) | R (Runs conceded) | W (Wickets) | Econ (Economy) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 4.0 | 0 | 29 | 2 | 7.25 |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 4.0 | 0 | 30 | 1 | 7.50 |
| Fareed Ahmad | 3.0 | 0 | 38 | 2 | 12.66 |
| Sharafuddin Ashraf | 3.0 | 0 | 29 | 0 | 9.66 |
| Abdullah Ahmadzai | 4.0 | 0 | 42 | 3 | 10.50 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 2.0 | 0 | 28 | 1 | 14.00 |
Note: Detailed individual figures beyond the top wicket-takers were not provided in the public scorecard summary.
Top Performers & Player of the Match
- Player of the Match: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan) — 92 off 48 balls, blazing strike rate, laid the foundation for a challenging total.
- Best batting support: Ibrahim Zadran — a calm, composed 60 kept the innings balanced. Sediqullah Atal’s quick 35 added late impetus.
- Bowling impact: Abdullah Ahmadzai (3/42) and Fazalhaq Farooqi (2/29) were crucial — their death-over precision and variety under pressure disrupted Zimbabwe’s chase.
Match Highlights & Turning Points
- Explosive start: Afghanistan’s openers, particularly Gurbaz, neutralized early pressure.
- Strong middle-phase batting: Zadran’s composed knock prevented any momentum loss after the power-play.
- Late-inning acceleration: Sediqullah Atal’s quickfire cameo pushed Afghanistan past 200 — a psychological advantage.
- Tight death bowling by Afghanistan: Ahmadzai and Farooqi held their nerve when it mattered, breaking crucial partnerships and choking Zimbabwe’s run flow.
- Zimbabwe’s chase unravelled in death overs: Despite a decent platform courtesy of Bennett and Raza, they couldn’t negotiate the pressure or secure timely boundaries.
Captains’ Post-Match Reactions
“Credit to the lads for holding their nerve under pressure — Gurbaz’s knock and the bowlers’ discipline in the last few overs made all the difference,” — Afghanistan captain. (paraphrased, based on match context)
“Disappointing finish after a promising start. We felt we had a shot, but couldn’t close it out. Some must reflect,” — Zimbabwe captain. (paraphrased)
(Note: Direct quotes not available publicly; these are plausible reconstructions based on typical post-match reflections.)
Points Table / Series Standings Update
- With this victory, Afghanistan sealed the three-match T20I series 3-0 — a clean sweep over Zimbabwe at Harare.
- For Zimbabwe, the series loss raises questions about their death-over execution and consistency under pressure — areas needing immediate attention.
Expert Analysis: What This Match Means
For Afghanistan:
- The clean sweep underlines their growing maturity in the T20 format under pressure.
- Gulbaz’s aggressive start again proves why he’s among their most dangerous T20I openers.
- The death-over bowling — often a weakness in associate and emerging teams — showed discipline and execution, hinting at improved mental strength and game-management.
For Zimbabwe:
- The batting firepower is evident — with players like Raza, Bennett and others capable of quick scoring. Yet, a recurring challenge is converting starts into finishes.
- Their bowling lacked penetration at crucial junctures; death bowling remains erratic.
- Mental toughness and decision-making under pressure need reinforcement for future T20Is, especially under home conditions.
This match — and the broader series — could influence selection, especially for T20 tournaments in 2026. Afghanistan has shown depth and temperament. For Zimbabwe, what remains is reflection, learning, and coming back stronger.
FAQs
Who won Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan today?
Afghanistan won by 9 runs.
What was the final score?
Afghanistan: 210/3 (20.0 overs); Zimbabwe: 201 all out (20.0 overs).
Who scored the most runs?
Rahmanullah Gurbaz topped the scoring with 92 runs off 48 balls.
Who took the most wickets?
Abdullah Ahmadzai was the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets for 42 runs.
Where was the match played?
The match took place at Harare Sports Club, Harare.
Conclusion: Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
The brand new clash among the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team and Afghanistan National Cricket Team brought precisely what cricket fans count on: excessive drama, explosive batting, traumatic death overs, and a finish that came right down to the final over. The Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard displays Afghanistan’s all-round superiority below stress, even as also showcasing Zimbabwe’s glimpses of brilliance — albeit now not the end result they were hoping for.
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