When Zimbabwe Cricket took the field against Afghanistan Cricket Board on October 20, 2025, at the Harare Sports Club, few expected the kind of demolition that followed. By the close of play on day two, Afghanistan had been bowled out for 127 — their lowest Test total since 2019 — and the pitch was littered with the wreckage of a batting lineup that never found its feet. The architect? Brad Evans, Zimbabwe’s fast bowler, who ripped through the visitors with figures of 5 for 22 in just 9.3 overs. It wasn’t just a spell; it was a statement.
A Test Match Built on Fire and Fragility
Zimbabwe batted first, grinding out 359 in 103 overs, a total that looked competitive but not overwhelming. Enter Ben Curran, the all-rounder whose 121 off 256 balls anchored the innings. He didn’t blaze; he built. Every boundary felt calculated, every dot ball a statement. His patience was the counterweight to Afghanistan’s spin-heavy attack, led by Ziaur Rahman, who took 7 for 97 — the most by an Afghan in a Test since 2021. Then came the collapse. Afghanistan’s reply lasted just 32.3 overs. Their top order, including Rahmanullah Gurbaz — who’d scored 37 off 37 balls — fell like dominos to Evans. One ball, a searing inswinger, clipped the edge. Another, a yorker at 142 kph, buried itself into the stumps. By lunch on day two, Afghanistan was 47 for 6. The crowd, thick with red and green scarves, didn’t cheer — they gasped. This wasn’t just poor batting; it was a systemic failure against pace on a pitch that offered more than expected.The Second Innings Seal
Afghanistan, staring at defeat, fought back in the second innings — sort of. They scraped to 159 in 43 overs, but the damage was already done. Richard Ngarava, Zimbabwe’s other fast bowler, stepped up with a spell that felt like a bookend to Evans’s opening salvo. His 5 for 37 included three lbws and two caught-behind dismissals, each one echoing the frustration of a team that had no answer to Zimbabwe’s seam movement. Curran, who also took 2 wickets and held three catches, was named Player of the Match. But the real story was the bowling attack. Evans and Ngarava combined for 10 wickets in 22.3 overs — a strike rate of 8.3 balls per wicket. That’s Test cricket at its most brutal.More Than Just a Test: A Series of Contrasts
The Test was the centerpiece of a five-match tour, but the T20Is told a different story. Afghanistan won two of the three limited-overs games, exposing Zimbabwe’s fragility in the shortest format. In the third T20I on November 2, Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran smashed 92 and 60 respectively to post 210 for 3. Zimbabwe, chasing 202, fell nine runs short despite 51 from Sikandar Raza. It was a reminder: Afghanistan’s T20 side is now a global contender. Their spinners — Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman — are no longer novelties. They’re threats. But the Test? That was Zimbabwe’s world. And they owned it.Why This Matters: Cricket’s New Map
This was only the third Test between the two nations since Afghanistan gained full ICC membership in July 2023. Before that, they were outsiders. Now, they’re regulars — and still learning. Zimbabwe, by contrast, is rebuilding. After years of financial strain, the Zimbabwe Cricket union secured $1.2 million from Betway in 2025 to host international fixtures. This match wasn’t just about pride — it was about survival. A win like this, in front of a packed Harare crowd, sends a signal: Zimbabwe can still compete. The Harare Sports Club, established in 1891, has hosted 65 Tests since independence. It’s not a glamorous ground. No floodlights. No corporate boxes. Just grass, dust, and history. And on those three days in October, it became the stage for a classic.What’s Next? A Calendar That Won’t Slow Down
Afghanistan heads to South Africa for three T20Is starting November 20, 2025, aiming to build momentum ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, prepares to host Bangladesh in a two-Test series beginning December 5 at the same venue. For Zimbabwe, the goal is simple: keep the momentum. For Afghanistan, it’s about consistency — proving their Test credentials aren’t a flash in the pan. The twist? Neither team is supposed to be here. Not really. Afghanistan was a war-torn nation just 15 years ago. Zimbabwe’s cricket was nearly bankrupt five years ago. Yet here they are — battling on the same pitch, writing their own stories, one over at a time.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Brad Evans’ performance compare to other Zimbabwean bowlers in Test cricket?
Brad Evans’ 5 for 22 is the best bowling figures by a Zimbabwean in a Test innings since Kyle Jarvis took 6 for 34 against Bangladesh in 2018. It’s also the best by any Zimbabwean bowler on home soil since 2016. His strike rate of 10.7 balls per wicket is among the most economical for a pace bowler in a Test under 10 overs since 2020.
Why did Afghanistan collapse so badly in their first innings?
Afghanistan’s top order has historically struggled against pace on seaming pitches. Evans exploited a slightly green strip that offered early movement, and their batsmen were unprepared for the bounce and seam. Ziaur Rahman, their main spinner, was the only player with a Test average above 30 — the rest were averaging below 25 in Tests. This was their 17th Test match as a team — still very young.
What role did the Harare Sports Club play in Zimbabwe’s victory?
The Harare Sports Club pitch, traditionally slow and low, was unusually lively in 2025 due to a wet September. The ground staff left more grass on the surface than usual, and the ball held its shape longer. This favored seamers like Evans and Ngarava, who exploited the early moisture. It was the first time since 2019 that the venue produced a Test result within three days.
Is Zimbabwe Cricket financially stable after this series?
The $1.2 million sponsorship from Betway covered the 2025-26 season’s hosting costs, but long-term stability remains uncertain. Zimbabwe Cricket’s annual revenue is still under $5 million — far below the $20 million+ of full-member nations. This Test win helped attract new local sponsors, but without structural reform, financial risk persists.
How significant is this win for Zimbabwe’s World Test Championship hopes?
While Zimbabwe doesn’t compete in the WTC, this win boosts their ICC ranking — they moved from 10th to 9th after the victory. More importantly, it gives them leverage in future bilateral negotiations. A win like this makes them a more attractive opponent for teams like England or Australia, who are looking for competitive Test series without the risk of heavy losses.
What’s the history between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan in Test cricket?
This was only the third Test between the two sides since Afghanistan’s ICC full membership in 2023. Zimbabwe won the first in 2022 by 10 wickets, Afghanistan won the second in 2023 by 6 wickets in Sharjah, and now Zimbabwe has reclaimed dominance. The series record stands at 2-1 to Zimbabwe across formats since their first meeting in 2015 — a testament to their home-ground advantage.
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