Zimbabwe secured their first home Test win since 2013 with a commanding innings and 73-run victory over Afghanistan at Harare Sports Club. The hosts dominated all three days of the contest, bowling Afghanistan out for 127 and 159 while posting a massive 359 in their only innings. This was only Zimbabwe’s third win by an innings in their Test history, ending a difficult run of six consecutive Test defeats.
Brad Evans’ five-wicket haul set the tone on Day 1, as Afghanistan were bowled out for 127. Ben Curran then anchored Zimbabwe’s reply with a magnificent maiden Test century, scoring 121 runs off 256 balls. Richard Ngarava completed the victory with a maiden Test five-wicket haul in Afghanistan’s second innings.
Sources: ESPNcricinfo (https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/afghanistan-in-zimbabwe-2025-26-1505250/zimbabwe-vs-afghanistan-only-test-1505259/match-report), Outlook India, CREX
Scorecard Summary
| Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 127 (32.3 overs) | 159 (43 overs) | 286 | Lost by innings and 73 runs |
| Zimbabwe | 359 (103 overs) | – | 359 | Won by innings and 73 runs |
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Curran | Zimbabwe | Batsman | 121 runs (256 balls, 15 fours) – Player of the Match |
| Brad Evans | Zimbabwe | Bowler | 5/22 in 1st innings |
| Richard Ngarava | Zimbabwe | Bowler | 5/37 in 2nd innings |
| Blessing Muzarabani | Zimbabwe | Bowler | 6 wickets total (3/47 & 3/48) |
| Ziaur Rahman | Afghanistan | Bowler | 7/97 in 1st innings (debut) |
| Sikandar Raza | Zimbabwe | All-rounder | 65 runs (88 balls, 7 fours) |
Key Moments
- Brad Evans registered a five-wicket haul (5/22) to bowl Afghanistan out for just 127 on Day 1
- Ben Curran scored a brilliant maiden Test century (121 off 256 balls) with 15 boundaries
- Curran and Sikandar Raza built a crucial 99-run partnership for the fifth wicket
- Ziaur Rahman, on debut, claimed seven wickets in Zimbabwe’s first innings, becoming a rare bright spot for Afghanistan
- Zimbabwe reached 359 all out, building a 232-run first-innings lead
- Richard Ngarava’s maiden Test five-wicket haul (5/37) sealed Afghanistan’s fate in the second innings
- Afghanistan collapsed to 159 all out, losing by an innings and 73 runs
Source: ESPNcricinfo Match Report
Match Analysis
Zimbabwe’s comprehensive victory showcased their strength across all departments. After winning the toss and electing to bowl first, the hosts exploited the seam-friendly conditions at Harare Sports Club brilliantly. Brad Evans led the bowling attack with a superb five-wicket spell, while Blessing Muzarabani provided excellent support with three wickets.
The standout performance came from Ben Curran, who scored his maiden Test century and spent 256 balls at the crease. His patient innings laid the foundation for Zimbabwe’s commanding total. The partnership with Sikandar Raza was particularly crucial, as both batsmen ground down the Afghan bowlers.
For Afghanistan, the only significant positive was Ziaur Rahman’s dream debut, where he picked up seven wickets in Zimbabwe’s innings. However, the batting unit failed to deliver in both innings, exposing their lack of experience in Test cricket.
Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine praised his team’s fighting spirit throughout the year, calling it “a nice end to a tough year for Test cricket”. The victory was particularly sweet as it came at home, where fans had waited over a decade for a Test win.
What’s Next
Zimbabwe will look to carry this momentum into the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, starting October 29 at the same venue. The victory comes on the back of Zimbabwe securing qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup earlier in October, making it an excellent month for Zimbabwean cricket.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, will need to regroup and address their batting vulnerabilities before their next Test assignment. The team will hope to bring some positivity after recent tragedies, with the focus shifting to the shorter format where they traditionally perform better.