Zimbabwe Crush Afghanistan by an Innings and 73 Runs to End 12-Year Home Test Drought

Zimbabwe stormed to a landmark innings-and-73-run victory over Afghanistan at Harare Sports Club on Wednesday, sealing their biggest Test win in history and ending a 12-year wait for a home Test success.

The emphatic result, completed just after lunch on the third day of the one-off Test, marked only the third time Zimbabwe have ever won by an innings and their first such result since 2001. It also snapped a run of six winless Tests and reaffirmed their red-ball credentials after years of inconsistent appearances in the longest format.

Resuming on 34 for one and still 198 runs behind, Afghanistan faced a daunting task to extend the contest into a fourth day. Instead, they were dismantled by a ruthless Zimbabwean pace attack that showed precision, aggression, and hunger.

Tanaka Chivanga made the early breakthrough, removing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for nine with a faint edge to wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Tsiga. From the other end, left-arm seamer Richard Ngarava produced the spell of his career. He first dismissed the resilient Ibrahim Zadran for 42, Afghanistan’s top scorer, before trapping captain Hashmatullah Shahidi for seven.

That double strike reduced Afghanistan to 60 for four, and the visitors never recovered. Bahir Shah counter-attacked with 32, supported by Afsar Zazai’s 18, offering brief resistance before Blessing Muzarabani and Chivanga struck again before lunch.

At the interval, Afghanistan were 127 for six, still 105 runs short of forcing Zimbabwe to bat again. After the break, Ngarava completed a superb maiden five-wicket haul, finishing with 5 for 37. His spell was highlighted by a sharp one-handed catch from Tsiga to dismiss Ismat Alam for 16. Muzarabani then cleaned up the tail, bowling Khalil Gurbaz for six and yorking Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi to end the innings at 159.

Zimbabwe’s dominance had been set up by a commanding first-innings total of 359. Ben Curran led the way with a composed maiden Test century, scoring 121. Sikandar Raza added 65, while Nick Welch contributed 49. For Afghanistan, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi battled hard with seven wickets but lacked the support to contain Zimbabwe’s batting depth.

The win is more than a statistic for Zimbabwe. It represents a statement of intent and renewal for a side striving to reestablish itself in Test cricket. Twelve years after their last home Test win, the Chevrons produced one built on discipline, teamwork, and resilience.

Their innings victory inside three days, driven by a united pace attack and anchored by patient batting, gives the side renewed belief. For a nation often starved of long-format cricket, this performance was a reminder of Zimbabwe’s potential and growing stability on the global stage.

With confidence restored, the Chevrons will turn their focus to the upcoming limited-overs series, carrying the momentum of a historic win that may signal a new chapter in Zimbabwean cricket.