Zim T20i Tri-Series, SA vs NZ Highlights: In the fifth match played at Harare Sports Club, New Zealand won South Africa by 7 wickets. Batting first, South Africa could reach 134/8 in 20 overs, where Reza Hendrix scored 41 runs. Mitchell Santner (2/26) and Milne-Dafi bowling stopped African batsmen. In response, the Kiwi team achieved the target in 15.5 overs with the innings of Tim Safurt’s unbeaten 66 and put pressure on the African team before the final.
In the fifth match of Zimbabwe T20 TRAI-series 2025 played on Tuesday, July 22 at Harare Sports Club, New Zealand defeated South Africa by 7 wickets to beat the second time in this series and strengthened both its lead and mental lead before the final.
South Africa started very poorly. Captain Raisi Van Der Duson (14) was dismissed early by Adam Milne. Reza Hendrix (41 runs) tried to handle the innings for some time, but continued to fall from the other end. Baby AB (Dewald Bravis) 13 runs and Rubin Harman’s 10 -run innings did not turn into a big innings. In the end, George Linde scored 23 runs in 15 balls and took the score to 134/8. Mitchell Santner (2/26), Adam Milne and Jacob Dafi took 2–2 wickets for New Zealand.
Chasing the target of 135 runs, New Zealand adopted an aggressive style from the beginning. Tim Safart (66 not out, 48 balls, 6 fours, 2 sixes) anchored the innings and easily won the team in 15.5 overs. Devon Conway scored 19 runs, while Deril Mitchell scored an unbeaten 20 in 15 balls and supported the safurt.
South Africa’s bowling remained scattered. Garald Koetzi conceded 37 runs in 3 overs, while the rest of the bowlers, except Senuran Muthusamy (2/24), failed to pressurize.
With this victory, New Zealand gave South Africa a big blow before the final. Now both teams will face face to face on Saturday, July 26 in the title match, where the African team will have to make a fresh strategy to win.
