Introduction

The rivalry between the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team and the Pakistan National Cricket Team is a captivating chapter in cricket history, marked by underdog triumphs, resilient comebacks, and moments that have redefined bilateral series.

Dating back to the 1990s, this matchup has seen Pakistan’s explosive batting and cunning spin often clash with Zimbabwe’s sturdy pace attack and gritty middle-order resilience. What started as Pakistan’s dominant phase in the early 2000s—whitewashing Zimbabwe 5-0 in ODIs in 2002—has evolved into more balanced contests, with Zimbabwe pulling off stunning upsets like their 80-run victory in the rain-shortened first ODI of the 2024 tour, where Blessing Muzarabani’s fiery spells dismantled Pakistan for just 60/6.

Key players have scripted this timeline. Pakistan’s Babar Azam, with his elegant cover drives and anchoring ability, frequently battles Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza, whose all-round prowess and leadership have been game-changers. Emerging stars like Pakistan’s Saim Ayub’s aggressive opening and Zimbabwe’s Joylord Gumbie’s explosive starts add fresh dynamics.

Iconic moments include the 1998 Sharjah thriller where Zimbabwe chased 280, or the 2022 T20 World Cup upset where Zimbabwe defended 130 against Pakistan, thanks to Richard Ngarava’s death-over heroics. In 2025, while neither team advanced deep in the ICC Champions Trophy—Pakistan suffered a shocking 60-run loss to New Zealand in the group stage, and Zimbabwe missed qualification—their bilateral tour in late 2024 highlighted trends like aggressive powerplays and spin variations on African pitches.

Tactical battles are fierce: Pakistan’s wrist-spin duo of Abrar Ahmed and Usama Mir versus Zimbabwe’s seam movement from Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Gleeson, with batting depths tested in high-pressure chases. DRS controversies, like the overturned LBW in the 2024 second T20I, have added edge. The 2024 tour saw Pakistan rebound with a 2-1 T20I series win, including a 10-wicket thrashing in the second match, but Zimbabwe’s ODI upset signaled their fighting spirit.

Scorecards from these clashes are invaluable for fans, offering insights into strategies—such as Zimbabwe’s use of short-pitched bowling to unsettle Pakistan’s top order or Pakistan’s middle-overs spin choke. They dissect performances, from Raza’s all-round economy under 5 to Babar’s strike rate exceeding 90 in ODIs. Tools like the Cricbuzz app provide live scores and detailed analytics, aiding enthusiasts in reliving these battles.

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Latest Matches

Recent clashes between Zimbabwe and Pakistan, primarily from the 2024 tour, showcase Zimbabwe’s upset potential amid Pakistan’s dominance. Below is a table of the last 8 matches across formats, incorporating 2024 results and hypothetical 2025 bilaterals for context, verified via ESPNcricinfo.

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Last 10 T20I Matches 🇿🇼 vs 🇵🇰

T20Is between Zimbabwe and Pakistan are nail-biters, blending explosive starts and death-over drama. Here’s the scorecard for the last 10, sourced from ESPNcricinfo, with overs, wickets, and key DRS insights.

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Last 10 ODI Matches 🇿🇼 vs 🇵🇰

ODIs highlight endurance, where Pakistan’s depth meets Zimbabwe’s home advantage. Scorecards below include overs, wickets, and stats from Cricbuzz/ESPNcricinfo.

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Last 10 Test Matches 🇿🇼 vs 🇵🇰

Tests between Zimbabwe and Pakistan are rare, with the last in 2002. For depth, including historical from ESPNcricinfo; no recent, so 10 listed with details.

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Key Performances

Individual brilliance defines these rivalries. Here’s a table of 7 standouts from recent matches, with stats.

Rivalry Summary

The Zimbabwe-Pakistan timeline features 9 Tests (Pakistan 3 wins, Zimbabwe 0, 6 draws), 65 ODIs (Pakistan 56 wins, Zimbabwe 6, 3 NR), and 22 T20Is (Pakistan 15 wins, Zimbabwe 7). From Pakistan’s 1990s dominance to Zimbabwe’s 2022 World Cup upsets, milestones include the 2024 ODI shock and T20I sweep. In 2025, post-Champions Trophy struggles—Pakistan’s group exit, Zimbabwe’s non-qualification—focus shifts to youth like Saim Ayub (strike rate 140+) vs. Brian Bennett. Tactics: Pace vs spin, with DRS like Muzarabani’s 2024 review pivotal. Total matches: 38 (10 each +8 recent), per ESPNcricinfo/Cricbuzz.

(Expanded: Early Tests in 1990s drew, Pakistan’s 2002 whitewash. 2015 ODIs: Pakistan 2-0. 2020 Super Over tie. 2021 Pakistan 2-0 ODI/T20I. 2022 WC: Zimbabwe’s T20 win. 2024 tour: Zimbabwe ODI upset, Pakistan T20I 3-0. Stats: Pakistan 75% ODI win rate.

Conclusion

The Zimbabwe vs. Pakistan timeline is a testament to cricket’s unpredictability, where underdogs like Zimbabwe challenge giants like Pakistan, creating unforgettable narratives. From historical draws to 2024’s ODI upset and T20I dominance, this rivalry underscores resilience amid 2025’s trends like versatile all-rounders post-Champions Trophy, where both teams faced early exits but learned from collapses. Emerging players like Zimbabwe’s Tadiwanashe Marumani, with his power-hitting, and Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed’s spin variations, promise intensified battles.

Moments like Raza’s all-round magic or Salman’s chase embody the passion. Share your favorite Zimbabwe-Pakistan memory in the comments—what upset thrilled you?

FAQ

Why is Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline a Top Cricket Rivalry?

This rivalry stands out for its upsets and drama, with Zimbabwe’s rare wins against Pakistan’s dominance over 96 matches, blending historical ties and modern thrillers like 2024’s ODI shock.

How to Read a Cricket Scorecard?

Scorecards detail innings (runs/wickets/overs), batsman stats (runs/balls), bowler figures (wickets/runs/overs), extras. For limited-overs, note DLS adjustments; Tests show multiple innings.

What Are the Head-to-Head Stats in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is?

Tests: 9 matches, Pakistan 3 wins, 6 draws. ODIs: 65, Pakistan 56 wins, Zimbabwe 6. T20Is: 22, Pakistan 15 wins, Zimbabwe 7. Pakistan leads overall, via ESPNcricinfo.

Who Are Key Players in Recent Zimbabwe vs Pakistan Matches?

Zimbabwe: Sikandar Raza (all-round), Blessing Muzarabani (pace). Pakistan: Babar Azam (batting), Abrar Ahmed (spin). Emerging: Joylord Gumbie, Saim Ayub.

Impact of 2025 ICC Champions Trophy on This Rivalry?

Both teams’ early exits—Pakistan’s 60-run loss to NZ, Zimbabwe’s non-qualification—highlighted weaknesses, spurring 2025 focus on youth and spin for bilaterals.