Harare, October 22, 2025 – Zimbabwe recorded a resounding innings and 73-run victory over Afghanistan in the one-off Test match at Harare Sports Club, showcasing dominant all-round cricket and superior discipline across all departments.
The hosts outplayed Afghanistan from the first day, sealing a memorable home win before the upcoming T20I series.
🔹 Zimbabwe’s Commanding Performance
Winning the toss proved vital for Craig Ervine’s men, who opted to bowl first. Their bowlers took full advantage of favorable conditions, with Brad Evans delivering a fiery spell of 5 for 22 that dismantled Afghanistan’s batting order. Despite a brief second-wicket stand, the visitors were bowled out for a modest 127 runs.
In reply, Zimbabwe built a commanding total of 359, anchored by a brilliant century from Ben Curran, who scored a patient 121. His innings steadied Zimbabwe after early setbacks, supported by Sikandar Raza and Craig Ervine, who contributed valuable runs in the middle order.
Afghanistan debutant Ziaur Rahman Sharifi was the shining light for the visitors, claiming a remarkable 7-wicket haul — the best figures by an Afghan on Test debut — preventing Zimbabwe from posting an even larger total.
🔹 Afghanistan’s Collapse and Zimbabwe’s Bowling Brilliance
Facing a daunting 232-run deficit, Afghanistan’s batters struggled under pressure in their second innings. Despite some resistance from Ibrahim Zadran (42) and Bahir Shah (32), the rest of the lineup faltered. The team was dismissed for 159, suffering an innings defeat.
Richard Ngarava led Zimbabwe’s bowling charge in the second innings, taking a superb five-wicket haul, while Blessing Muzarabani and Tanaka Chivanga provided excellent support, sharing the remaining wickets.
🔹 Post-Match Reactions
Craig Ervine, Zimbabwe’s captain, praised his team’s consistent effort throughout the year, crediting the bowlers for maintaining intensity and highlighting Ben Curran’s composed innings as a turning point in the match.
Ben Curran, named Player of the Match, expressed joy over his comeback performance, saying the hundred felt extra special after recovering from injury. He credited his batting coach for helping refine his game plan.
Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afghanistan’s captain, acknowledged Zimbabwe’s improvement and admitted his side lacked Test match experience. He lauded Ziaur Rahman Sharifi for his exceptional debut performance and hoped the youngster would continue to develop.
🔹 Looking Ahead
With this emphatic victory, Zimbabwe have built strong momentum ahead of the upcoming T20I series starting October 29, 2025, at 11:30 am GMT. The hosts will aim to carry their winning confidence into the shorter format, while Afghanistan will look to bounce back stronger.