Zimbabwe vs New Zealand T20I Tri-Series (Match 3) – New Zealand Cruises to Victory
Harare, July 18, 2025 – New Zealand continued their dominant run in the Zimbabwe T20I Tri-Series with a commanding 8-wicket win over hosts Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club.
Zimbabwe vs New Zealand Scoreboard
1. Zimbabwe Bat First — Stutter at 120/7
Zimbabwe’s innings began steadily with openers Wessly Madhevere (36 off 32) and Brian Bennett (21 off 20) putting together an early 37-run stand . However, the momentum shifted rapidly as New Zealand’s Matt Henry struck back, claiming 3 key wickets, including Bennett and Mugabe-era linchpins.
Contributions from Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza, Tony Munyonga, and others failed to lift Zimbabwe’s total, which ended at a modest 120/7.
2. Special Mentions From the Innings
Matt Henry (3/26) was outstanding with the ball, quelling Zimbabwe’s resistance late in the innings.
Adam Milne added another breakthrough, ensuring the home side didn’t build momentum.
Rachin Ravindra chipped in with a tidy 1/10 off 3 overs.
3. New Zealand Chase: Dominance Personified
The Black Caps’ chase was clinical:
Devon Conway anchored the innings with an unbeaten 59 off 40, smashing four fours and two sixes.
Rachin Ravindra supported ably with 30 off 19 balls, forging a 64-run second-wicket partnership that sealed the match with 13.5 overs to spare.
NZ raced to 122/2, wrapping up the game and confirming their place in the tri-series final.
4. Key Performers at a Glance
| Player | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Devon Conway | 59* off 40 |
| Rachin Ravindra | 30 off 19 + 1/10 |
| Matt Henry | 3/26 |
| Adam Milne | 1/30 |
| Zimbabwe’s Top Scorers | Madhevere 36, Bennett 21 |
New Zealand’s plan worked flawlessly: tight bowling, pressure wickets, and a confident chase.
Zimbabwe’s promising start fizzled under Henry’s pace and Santner’s spin.
Harare pitch offered decent bounce for seamers and grip for spinners, but NZ exploited it better.
6. Now Looking Ahead
With two wins in as many outings, New Zealand leads the points table and appears poised to clash in the tri-series final.
Zimbabwe’s hopes are now pinned on an upset against South Africa in the upcoming match — they’ll need a big performance to stay alive.
7. Player Spotlight: Rising Stars
Rachin Ravindra (NZ): Already celebrated for his Test heroics — including a 240-run innings — Ravindra is proving his mettle in T20s too .
Brian Bennett (ZIM): A recent sensation in Tests and ODIs, Bennett yet again delivered an effective cameo (21 off 20) .
8. How to Watch or Catch Up
Live Streaming: Follow the tri-series on Cricbuzz, ESPNcricinfo, and sports networks in your region.
Highlights & Commentary: Available on NDTV, Indian Express, and YouTube.
Voices from the Ground
Devon Conway on the chase:
“I got a bit lucky early on… nice to get through that period.”
Santner on winning the toss:
“They came out aggressive in the powerplay but we adapted well.”
Final Word
New Zealand’s emphatic 8-wicket win over Zimbabwe highlighted their quality and depth. While Zimbabwe showed sparks — notably through Madhevere and Bennett — they couldn’t sustain the pressure. NZ’s All-Round team effort places them in a commanding position for the final. The spotlight now turns to Zimbabwe vs South Africa — will the hosts bounce back?
