Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe (2025)

[Ball Blazer]

Zimbabwe to host Afghanistan for Test, T20I series in Harare​

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has confirmed that Zimbabwe will host Afghanistan for a one-off Test match and three Twenty20 internationals (T20Is) later this month, with all fixtures scheduled for Harare Sports Club.

The tour will open with the Test from 20 to 24 October, marking Zimbabwe’s 10th Test of a busy 2025 calendar that has already seen them face Ireland, Bangladesh, England, South Africa and New Zealand.

The teams will then shift focus to the shorter format for three T20Is on 29 and 31 October and 2 November.

ZC Managing Director Givemore Makoni said the series promised another thrilling chapter in the growing rivalry between the two sides.

“We are delighted to be hosting Afghanistan once again, this time for a one-off Test followed by three T20Is in Harare,” he said.

“Encounters between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan have become keenly contested and entertaining, and we are confident this upcoming tour will deliver more of the same for our fans.”

Afghanistan’s visit comes less than a year after their last tour of Zimbabwe, which featured three T20Is and three one-day internationals in Harare before moving to Bulawayo for a historic two-Test series played over Boxing Day and New Year’s Day at Queens Sports Club.

“Afghanistan have established themselves as a strong force in world cricket and we know this will be a tough but exciting challenge for our team,” Makoni said.

“As always, we invite our supporters to come in their numbers and rally behind our boys as they take on quality opposition.”

Ticketing and matchday information will be announced in due course.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Afghanistan Cricket Board’s National Selection Committee today finalized the Afghanistan National Team’s Squads for the one-off Test match and the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, scheduled to be played from October 20 to November 2 at the Harare Sports Club in Harare.

Left-arm fast bowler Bashir Ahmad, who recently made appearances in ODIs and T20Is for Afghanistan, and was also part of the Test squad on the last tour to Zimbabwe, retains his place in the squad.

A right-arm fast bowler, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, left-arm spinner Sharafuddin Ashraf, and the right-arm leg spinner Khalil Gurbaz, who impressed in the domestic red ball season, have been called up for the Test Squad. In addition, left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Shahidullah Kamal has also been added to both squads that will face Zimbabwe late this month. Rashid Khan will be rested as a precaution to prioritize his well-being and sustained performance for the upcoming international events.

Moreover, fast-bowler Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai, Sediqullah Atal, and Shams Ur Rahman have been added to the reserve pool.

Meanwhile, middle-order batter Ijaz Ahmadzai, who made his T20I debut earlier in 2024, makes a comeback to the T20I side. Alongside him, Shahidullah Kamal, who had an impressive SCL season, has been drafted to the T20I squad for the series.

The CEO of the Afghanistan Cricket Board, Mr. Naseeb Khan, said:

“Alongside our domestic cricket and high-performance center programs, we have been successfully implementing our plans in international cricket. As a result, we are now consistently playing bilateral series one after another, and the outcomes of our long-term efforts have been very positive so far.”

He added:

“Following the Bangladesh series hosted by ACB, our national team will travel to Zimbabwe, where they will play a Test match and a T20I series against the host nation. Subsequently, we will also play series against other countries in sequence.”

Afghanistan’s Test Squad:

Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Abdul Malik, Afsar Zazai (WK), Ikram Alikhel (WK), Bahir Shah, Shahidullah Kamal, Ismat Alam, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Zia Ur Rahman Akbar, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Khalil Gurbaz, and Bashir Ahmad.

Reserves: Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai, Sediqullah Atal, and Shams Ur Rahman

Afghanistan’s T20I Squad:

Rashid Khan (C), Ibrahim Zadran (VC), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Shahidullah Kamal, Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Bashir Ahmad, Fareed Ahmad Malik and Abdullah Ahmadzai.

Reserves: AM Ghazanfar and Faridoon Dawoodzai

ACB Name Squad for the One-off Test Match and T20I Series against Zimbabwe

Kabul, October 15, 2025: Afghanistan Cricket Board’s National Selection Committee today finalized the Afghanistan National Team’s Squads for the one-off Test match and the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, scheduled to be played from October 20 to November 2 at the Harare Sports Club in...

acb.af

 

[Ball Blazer]

Zimbabwe name squad for one-off Test against Afghanistan

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has announced a 16-man squad for the one-off Test match against Afghanistan, scheduled to be played from 20 to 24 October 2025 at Harare Sports Club.

The squad features a few changes from the group that took part in Zimbabwe’s last Test series against New Zealand in Bulawayo in August.

Left-arm seamer Richard Ngarava returns after being rested, while Brad Evans has earned a recall for what could be his second Test appearance, having last featured in the longest format in February 2023 against the West Indies.
Two players are in line for potential Test debuts – Antum Naqvi, a right-handed batter and off-spinner who recently qualified to represent Zimbabwe, and Tinotenda Maposa, a promising young fast bowler.

Missing out from the previous Test squad are Sean Williams, Trevor Gwandu, Newman Nyamhuri, Clive Madande and Vincent Masekesa.

Captain Craig Ervine will lead the side, with experienced campaigners Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza and Blessing Muzarabani expected to form the backbone of the team alongside the talented young opener Brian Bennett.

Afghanistan last toured Zimbabwe in December and January for a two-Test series in Bulawayo. The first match ended in a draw, while Afghanistan clinched victory in the second.


ZIMBABWE SQUAD FOR TEST VERSUS AFGHANISTAN:

Craig Ervine (Captain), Brian Bennett, Tanaka Chivanga, Ben Curran, Brad Evans, Roy Kaia, Tanunurwa Makoni, Wellington Masakadza, Tinotenda Maposa, Blessing Muzarabani, Antum Naqvi, Richard Ngarava, Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Brendan Taylor, Nick Welch

https://www.zimcricket.org/news/4253/Zimbabwe-name-squad-for-one-off-Test-against-Afghanistan

 

[sweep_shot]

1 Test and 3 T20s.

Afghanistan should win all games.

 

[jamie smith fan]

1 Test and 3 T20s.

Afghanistan should win all games.

I think zimbabweans will win the test match.
Their test team looks strong with antum naqvi in the mix now

 

[jamie smith fan]

Tbf zimbabwe bas a better test team than windies and afg
Bennet welch curran ervine naqvi sikandar taylor are good enough batters
Muzarabani and ngrava are also world class seamers.
They need to find a good spinner now

 

[sweep_shot]

I think zimbabweans will win the test match.
Their test team looks strong with antum naqvi in the mix now

If it is flat, it should be a draw.

If sluggish, AFG should win. Also, it depends on whether Rashid Khan will play or not.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Belgium-born all-rounder named in Zimbabwe squad for one-off Afghanistan Test

The Zimbabwe Cricket on Friday announced a 16-member squad for their one-off Test against Afghanistan, featuring Belgium-born batting all-rounder Antum Naqvi.

Naqvi, who was recently qualified to represent Zimbabwe, is one of the most enterprising batting talents in the African country, boasting an average of more than 60 in both first-class and List A cricket.

The 26-year-old, in January last year, became the first-ever batter from a Zimbabwean team to score a triple-century at any level of representative cricket. Overall, he has thus far accumulated 1626 runs in 19 first-class matches at an astounding average of 67.75 and a strike-rate of 72.65.

His most recent first-class appearance came for Zimbabwe ‘A’ against MCC last week in Harare, where he made 68 and 108 to help the hosts force a draw.

Belgium-born all-rounder named in Zimbabwe squad for one-off Afghanistan Test

Zimbabwe to host Afghanistan for solitary Test from October 20 to 24

www.geosuper.tv

 

[jnaveen1980]

So there is a Naqvi in the world that knows cricket.

 

[BouncerGuy]

So there is a Naqvi in the world that knows cricket.

unlike many shahs.

 

[Ball Blazer]

All set for one-off Test today

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Belgium-born all-rounder named in Zimbabwe squad for one-off Afghanistan Test

The Zimbabwe Cricket on Friday announced a 16-member squad for their one-off Test against Afghanistan, featuring Belgium-born batting all-rounder Antum Naqvi.

Naqvi, who was recently qualified to represent Zimbabwe, is one of the most enterprising batting talents in the African country, boasting an average of more than 60 in both first-class and List A cricket.

The 26-year-old, in January last year, became the first-ever batter from a Zimbabwean team to score a triple-century at any level of representative cricket. Overall, he has thus far accumulated 1626 runs in 19 first-class matches at an astounding average of 67.75 and a strike-rate of 72.65.

His most recent first-class appearance came for Zimbabwe ‘A’ against MCC last week in Harare, where he made 68 and 108 to help the hosts force a draw.

Belgium-born all-rounder named in Zimbabwe squad for one-off Afghanistan Test

Zimbabwe to host Afghanistan for solitary Test from October 20 to 24

www.geosuper.tv

He has an interesting journey to play cricket. He's also a pilot.

 

[Ball Blazer]

A maiden fifer in Tests for Brad Evans as Zimbabwe bowl out Afghanistan for 127 on Day 1 of the one-off Test

 

[sweep_shot]

Zimbabwe are looking good to win this one.

Rashid Khan is not playing. Why?

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Stumps Day 1

 

[Ball Blazer]

It took Zimbabwe less than three hours on day three to seal a historic triumph — their first home Test win since 2013, first innings victory since 2001, and largest Test win ever.

Richard Ngarava was the standout performer, claiming his maiden five-wicket haul in overcast conditions. His relentless accuracy, combined with subtle movement through the air and off the pitch, tore through Afghanistan’s fragile batting lineup and delivered Zimbabwe a dominant innings-and-73-run victory.

The day began with Zimbabwe’s Test squad posing for a team photo — a sign of their intent to finish proceedings early. Captain Craig Ervine made a tactical surprise by handing the new ball to Tanaka Chivanga ahead of Blessing Muzarabani. The move paid off immediately as Chivanga removed Rahmanullah Gurbaz with a leg-side flick caught smartly by wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Tsiga. Ngarava soon joined the action, dismissing Ibrahim Zadran — Afghanistan’s top-scorer with 42 — in a near-identical fashion.

Hashmatullah Shahidi edged to slip soon after, while Bahir Shah and Afsar Zazai tried to counterattack. Bahir struck six boundaries before a short ball from Muzarabani cramped him up, offering a simple catch to Ben Curran at short leg. Zazai’s soft drive to backward point left Afghanistan reeling at 127 for 6 by lunch.

After the break, Ngarava continued his destruction. Ismat Alam’s edge was brilliantly caught one-handed by Tsiga, and Sharafuddin Ashraf soon followed to give Ngarava his fifth. Muzarabani then wrapped up the innings with precision — flattening Khalil Gurbaz’s leg stump and uprooting Ziaur Rahman’s middle with a searing yorker.

Zimbabwe’s victory was a collective display of skill and control — Ngarava’s five-for, Chivanga’s early breakthroughs, and Muzarabani’s closing spell all complemented Ben Curran’s composed 121 and Sikandar Raza’s 65 from earlier. Curran’s innings earned him the Player of the Match award.

Captain Craig Ervine hailed the performance, saying,

“I’m ecstatic. The boys showed great fight and finished the year strongly. Curran’s innings was full of composure, and the bowlers — Richie, Brad, TK, and Blessing — were all superb.”

Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi admitted his side’s inexperience showed:

“We started well at 77 for 1, but that collapse cost us. The ball was seaming, and we didn’t apply ourselves. Our lack of Test experience hurt us.”

Zimbabwe will now look to carry their momentum into the three-match T20I series, starting October 29.

 

[Malahide man]

He has an interesting journey to play cricket. He's also a pilot.

Test cricket should be plane sailing for him so.

 

[sweep_shot]

This was Zimbabwe's biggest win in Test format.

Well played.