Zimbabwe won a test by an innings for only the third time when they defeated Afghanistan by an innings and 73 runs at Harare Sports Club on Wednesday, with two days to spare.

Afghanistan batted after Zimbabwe won the toss and were all out for 127.

Zimbabwe made 359 in reply with Ben Curran hitting a maiden century, giving the hosts a 232-run first innings lead.

Curran won the player of the match award for his 121 runs, which swung the one-off test decisively in favour of the hosts on the second day.

The tourists' batters struggled again in their second innings and were dismissed for 159 with only Ibrahim Zadran (42) and middle-order Bahir Shah (32) having some success.

Brad Evans took five wickets in the first Afghan innings and second time round it was the turn of Richard Ngarava (5-37) to sparkle as the quick claimed his first test five-for.

First innings victory for Zimbabwe in over 24 years. 🥳#ZIMvAFG #ExperienceZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/SioysAcNQR

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) October 22, 2025

Zimbabwe beat Pakistan by an innings in 1995 in Harare and repeated the feat against Bangladesh six years later in Bulawayo.

It was the first test victory by Zimbabwe in Harare since 2013, when they beat Pakistan by 24 runs in a thriller.

Huge victory! 🎉

Zimbabwe win by an innings and 73 runs in the one-off test against Afghanistan.

Match Details 👉 https://t.co/93lIGK8eEo#ZIMvAFG #ExperienceZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/jSplsI9ufm

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) October 22, 2025

"It is a nice end to a tough year of test cricket for us," said Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine, referring to seven losses in their eight previous tests.

"On a wicket that offered a little bit throughout, I thought it was a brilliant effort with the bat from the boys.

"They have learnt a fair bit over the last few months, playing the amount of test cricket that we did against top-class opponents.

"The bowlers were outstanding. Brad (Evans) in the first innings picked up a five-for. Richie (Ngarava) stepped up in the second innings and did the same."

A milestone to remember for Zimbabwe pace spearhead @RichardRbidza after he claimed his maiden Test five-for, against Afghanistan. 👏🏾#ZIMvAFG #ExperienceZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/JkYeN0iXzK

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) October 22, 2025

Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi said: "Zimbabwe played really good cricket, and we did not. The conditions supported the fast bowlers.

"We were happy to bat first and scored 76 runs for the loss of only one wicket. Then there was a spectacular collapse. We let ourselves down as a team."

The sole positive for Afghanistan, who beat Zimbabwe 1-0 in a two-test series last January, was the performance of debutant seamer Ziaur Rahman, who captured seven wickets.

Opener Ben Curran scored a maiden test century on Tuesday to put Zimbabwe in command against Afghanistan after the second day of a one-off test at Harare Sports Club.

The left-hand batter made 121 before being trapped leg before wicket as the home team advanced from 130-2 overnight to 359 in reply to the tourists' 127, a first-innings lead of 232 runs.

Batting a second time, Afghanistan were 34-1 at stumps against Zimbabwe, who are seeking a first test victory in Harare since beating Pakistan by 24 runs in 2013.

Curran, the brother of England internationals Sam and Tom Curran and a son of the late Zimbabwe star Kevin Curran, became the first member of the family to score test and one-day international centuries.

A maiden Test century for Ben Curran 👏

📝 https://t.co/93lIGK7GOQ#ZIMvAFG #ExperienceZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/wYel8GdpQs

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) October 21, 2025

His innings ended just before tea when he was deceived by a slow, full length delivery from quick Ismat Alam and the ball struck his pads, leaving Zimbabwe 302-6.

The 29-year-old faced 256 deliveries and struck 15 fours in a stand that combined caution and aggression. Many of his runs came off drives and deflections.

Curran, whose previous highest test knock in 14 innings was 68, reached his century by stroking a single through mid-wicket off Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi.

Earlier, Curran shared a 99-run fifth-wicket partnership with Sikandar Raza and, on Monday, he and Nick Welch (49) put on 97 for the second wicket.

Raza contributed the second most runs to the Zimbabwe total, scoring 65, including seven fours, before getting a top edge off a Sharafuddin Ashraf delivery, which Yamin Ahmadzai caught at deep square leg.

Apart from test debutant Ziaur Rahman, the Afghan bowlers struggled on an unresponsive pitch. The seamer took seven wickets at a cost of 97 runs.

ZIMBABWE: Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Nick Welch, Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine (capt), Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Brad Evans, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Tanaka Chivanga

AFGHANISTAN: Ibrahim Zadran, Abdul Malik, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Bahir Shah, Afsar Zazai (wk), Ismat Alam, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Khalil Gurbaz, Yamin Ahmadzai, Ziaur Rahman

Brad Evans took five wickets on his return to the Zimbabwe team to skittle out Afghanistan for 127 runs and put the home side in a commanding position after the first day's play at the Harare Sports Club on Monday.

Zimbabwe, who won the toss and put the tourists in to bat in the one-off test, were 130-2 in reply at the close of play with Ben Curran 52 not out and Brandon Taylor unbeaten on 18.

Nick Welch had been caught behind on 14 but Ismat Alam overstepped the mark and the batsman got a life as it was ruled a no-ball, going onto 49.

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

📝 https://t.co/93lIGK8eEo#ZIMvAFG #ExperienceZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/grZ7ROoroa

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) October 20, 2025

The 28-year-old Evans, playing a first test since his debut against the West Indies more than three years ago, took 5-22 in less than 10 overs as Afghanistan struggled with the bat as Blessing Muzarabani took 3-47.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz top-scored with 37 for Afghanistan, playing their first test since beating Zimbabwe in Bulawayo in early January.