New Zealand vs South Africa, T20I Tri-Series in Zimbabwe, 2025 Jul 26 Full score card

Swing and a miss! Matt Henry takes pace off, hard length and on off, Senuran Muthusamy has a wild heave across the line but fails to connect. NEW ZEALAND WIN THE FINAL BY 3 RUNS

Senuran Muthusamy comes out to face the last ball. He needs to hit a four or a six to take his side home.

OUT! TAKEN! My word, what a catch! Daryl Mitchell, you beauty! He has probably grabbed the final for the Kiwis here. Matt Henry lands this short of a length and on off, George Linde tries to finish the game off and swats it down the ground and wide of long on. It looks like it's going for a boundary, but Mitchell comes out of nowhere running to his left and takes a stunning diving catch. He is pumped up and so are the Kiwis. They have turned this game around and how.

Pitched up and on leg Corbin Bosch chips it towards deep mid-wicket and wants the second, but Linde slips at the other end, they have to settle for one. 4 needed in 2 now!

DROPPED! Fuller and on middle, Corbin Bosch slog it towards deep mid-wicket but not with much timing. Michael Bracewell has the sun in his eyes, runs forward and dives but fails to grab it. Two taken.

OUT! TAKEN SUPERBLY IN THE DEEP! Is there another twist in the tale? Short of a length and on middle from Henry. Dewald Brevis decides to take it on and goes for the pull, connects well towards deep square leg. Michael Bracewell shows great presence of mind. He grabs and flicks the ball in time as he goes over the ropes, comes in, and completes the catch. The third umpire wants to check, and this is a crucial decision in the context of the game. After a lot of replays, he is satisfied that it is a fair catch. Brevis goes for a fiery 31 off 16. South Africa still needs 7 runs to win.

Superb bowling! Bangs this onto the pitch, on middle, skids through, Dewald Brevis has no room to work with and misses out on his cut.

Matt Henry (2-0-16-0) to bowl the last over. Can he defend 6 runs here?

Change of pace, good length and outside off, George Linde has a wild swing at it but only connects with thin air.

Short of a length and on middle, Dewald Brevis pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

SIX! Up, up and away! Jacob Duffy misses the yorker again and bowls a full toss, on middle, Dewald Brevis gets right underneath it and dispatches it a long way over the long on fence for a biggie. Looks like the ball has been lost, but just as the briefcase comes out, someone from the crowd has thrown the ball into the ground.

Brave! Goes for the slower bouncer, outside off, Dewald Brevis tries to cut it away but misses.

Slower one, full and on middle, Dewald Brevis drags it towards long on where Daryl Mitchell comes forward to collect it. Just as he is about to throw, he loses control of the ball and allows the second run. 14 needed in 10 now!

SIX! Incredible shot! Jacob Duffy goes for the wide yorker but serves a low full toss around off, Dewald Brevis tries to take on the shorter boundary down the ground. His bottom hand comes off the bat, but he still manages to get enough power on it to send it over the long on fence for a biggie.

Jacob Duffy (3-0-21-1) to bowl the penultimate over

A full toss, on off, Dewald Brevis tries to hit it a bit too hard and mistimes it towards long off for one. 22 needed in 12 now!

Right in the blockhole, on off, George Linde jams it out towards short covers where Michael Bracewell fumbles and allows one.

FOUR! George Linde gets into the act now! Back of a length and around off, George Linde punches it with sweet timing through extra covers for a boundary.

Nails the yorker, on middle, angling in, Dewald Brevis just about manages to dig it out as the ball stays on the pitch. The batters steal a run.

SIX! BOOM! Much-needed for South Africa! Fuller delivery and around off, Dewald Brevis uses the width on offer, extends his arms, and carves it over the deep extra cover fence for a biggie.

A slower bouncer, on middle, but a bit too high Dewald Brevis tries to swat it down the ground but misses. Wided

A low full toss, on middle and leg, George Linde drills it to long on for a single.

Fuller and on leg, George Linde glances it to short fine for one. 37 needed in 18!

Back of a length and on off, Dewald Brevis goes for the pull but miscues it in the air towards the vacant mid-wicket region. They cross.

Excellent work in the deep! Pitched up and on leg, Dewald Brevis whips it away wide of deep mid-wicket. Daryl Mitchell covers a lot of ground to his right, dives to stop and releases the throw quickly to keep it down to a two.

Fuller and on middle, angling in, Dewald Brevis looks to slog it across the line but misses and gets hit on the pads. A stifled appeal for LBW, but turned down.

Back of a length and on off, Dewald Brevis dabs it to point.

On a length and on off, George Linde steers it through point for one.

FOUR! Innovation at its best! Bangs this one into the pitch, on middle, nips anck in a it. Dewald Brevis sways away to get his head out of the way of the ball, gets his bat in good position and ramps it to the third man fence for a boundary.

Back of a length and on off, George Linde punches it through covers for one more

Fuller and on middle, Dewald Brevis drills it to mid on for one.

Bangs in a bouncer, on middle and leg, angling in, Dewald Brevis looks to pull it away but misses. There is a shout for caught behind but the umpire gives it as a wide.

On a length and on off, George Linde guides it through point for a single.

Back of a length and on middle, George Linde pats it on the pitch.

George Linde walks out to bat now.

OUT! TAKEN! TWO IN TWO FOR THE KIWIS! The No.1 T20I bowler strikes now! Fuller in length and on middle, Rubin Hermann just like his skipper, tries to loft it down the ground. He does not get it anywhere near the middle of the bat and hits it from the bottom half of the bat. No timing or power as the ball goes in the air towards long on where Daryl Mitchell takes another good catch. The Kiwis have got an opening now!

Dewald Brevis is the next man in. Also, Jacob Duffy comes back into the attack.

OUT! TAKEN! Adam Milne strikes! He goes full again and on middle, angling in, Rassie van der Dussen opens his stance and looks to go big down the ground, but fails to get the timing right on this one. It flies towards wide long on where Daryl Mitchell makes no mistake. South Africa three down now!

Fuller and around off Rubin Hermann heaves it away wide of deep square leg who has to cover a lot of ground to his left. Three taken

FOUR! Good shot! Pitched up and on middle and off, Rubin Hermann gets underneath the ball and lofts it wide of long on. Mitchell Santner runs to his right, but the ball bounces a bit awkwardly and goes for a boundary.

Fuller and on middle, Rassie van der Dussen flicks it through square leg for a single.

Uppish but safe! A leg-cutter, back of a length and on off, sticks to the surface a bit. Rassie van der Dussen almost gets deceived by it but checks his shot at the last moment, which saves him. It lobs up off his bat but lands well in front of mid off.

On a length and on middle, Rassie van der Dussen blocks it out.

Short again and around leg Rubin Hermann flicks it off the back foot towards deep mid-wicket for a couple of more runs.

Flatter, short and on off, Rubin Hermann stabs it out to the off side.

Slows it up, full and on leg, Rassie van der Dussen clips it to short fine for a run.

A bit short and on middle, Rassie van der Dussen tucks it with soft hands thorugh square leg for a brace.

Flighted, full and on middle, Rubin Hermann drives it to long on for a single.

Floated, short and on off, Rubin Hermann pats it to the left of short covers.

Hard length and around leg, Rubin Hermann heaves it to deep square leg for one.

Rubin Hermann comes out to the middle now.

OUT! TAKEN IN THE DEEP! Zakary Foulkes gets a huge wicket here! The short-ball plan has worked for the Kiwis. He bangs this into the pitch and on off. Reeza Hendricks plays the pull shot but for some reason does not go through it fully. Fails to get the power or elevation as the ball flies straight into the hands of Devon Conway at deep square leg. Hendricks departs for a well-made 37 off 31, and South Africa are two down now!

Short again, on middle, Rassie van der Dussen pulls it to deep square leg for one.

FOUR! Fine shot! Short of a length and outside off, Rassie van der Dussen gets on top of the bounce and cuts it nicely through point for a boundary.

Back of a length and on middle, Reeza Hendricks heaves it wide of short fine. The fielder dives to his left but only to parry it to the deep. They cross. All ones on the board. 111/1

On a length and on middle, Rassie van der Dussen nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.

Flatter on the middle. Rassie van der Dussen pulls it toward deep mid-wicket and takes a single.

FOUR! PUT AWAY! Tossed up full, on the leg. Rassie van der Dussen looks to sweep and gets it past the short fine leg fielder for a boundary.

Flatter on the middle and leg. Reeza Hendricks works this through square leg for one.

Shortish and outside off. Reeza Hendricks cuts toward short cover and lands in front of the fielder.

Flatter on the middle and leg. Rassie van der Dussen tucks it toward deep mid-wicket and a fumble in the deep allows the batters to take triple.

Darted full, outside off. Reeza Hendricks squeezes this to deep cover for one. 100 up for South Africa!

Pitched full, on off. Rassie van der Dussen drives it to short cover. Three dots to end the over.

Tossed up on off. Pushed to short extra cover.

Flatter and slower through the air, around off. Rassie van der Dussen cuts into the covers.

Very full, outside off. Reeza Hendricks squeezes this to deep cover point for one.

Flatter arm ball, on the middle. Reeza Hendricks chops into the off-side.

SIX! GLORIOUS! Tossed up full, just outside off. Reeza Hendricks makes room and goes inside out over deep extra cover fence for half a dozen.

Tossed up on the middle. Rassie van der Dussen turns it to short mid-wicket.

Flatter on off. Rassie van der Dussen nudges it to short mid-wicket.

Rassie van der Dussen walks in at 3.

OUT! STUMPED! Michael Bracewell gets the much-needed wicket. Tosses it on a length and throws it well outside off. Lhuan-dre Pretorius charges down and looks to go over the off-side but misses, and Tim Seifert does the rest behind the stumps. A fine knock from Lhuan-dre Pretorius ends now.

Tosses it full, around off. Reeza Hendricks slogs it toward deep mid-wicket for a single.

Flatter and outside off. Lhuan-dre Pretorius slaps it to deep cover for one.

SIX! FIFTY FOR PRETORIUS! Tossed up on the middle and leg. Lhuan-dre Pretorius charges down and smokes it over the long-on fence for a colossal hit.

Back of a length, on the middle and leg. Reeza Hendricks looks to pull but misses. It comes off the body and rolls toward short fine leg. A dot to end the over.

Back of the length delivery on the off-stump line.  Lhuan-dre Pretorius hangs back and nudges it with soft hands towards the deep mid-wicket region for a run.

FOUR! THAT'S A GIFT! Slower ball on a length, down the leg. Lhuan-dre Pretorius shuffles across and helps it to fine leg for an easy boundary.

Pitched full, on the middle and leg. Reeza Hendricks flicks it toward deep backward square leg for one.

Short of a good length, on the middle. Lhuan-dre Pretorius knocks it toward mid-on for a single.

FOUR! TOP SHOT! On a length, angling across the batter. Lhuan-dre Pretorius cuts it through the backward point region and finds the ropes in a flash.

Adam Milne (1-0-3-0) is back into the attack. The ball is changed as the previous one had some issue with it.

Tosses it full, outside off. Lhuan-dre Pretorius drags the slog toward deep mid-wicket for one.

Slower through the air, outside off. Lhuan-dre Pretorius brings out the reverse sweep but misses this time.

Dropped short, on the middle. Lhuan-dre Pretorius punches it toward wide of long-on for a brace.

Flatter on the middle and leg. Reeza Hendricks knocks it past mid-wicket for one.

Tossed up full, on off. Lhuan-dre Pretorius looks to sweep but gets it off the toe end toward point for one.

Fuller length delivery on the off-stump line. Reeza Hendricks sweeps it towards the deep backward square leg region for a run.

FIVE WIDES! Tosses it full and drifting down the leg. Reeza Hendricks plays and misses. It goes past the keeper and runs down to fine leg for five bonus runs.

Michael Bracewell comes into the attack next.

Flatter arm ball, on the middle and leg. Reeza Hendricks tucks this through mid-wicket and settles for one.

Tossed up on off. Lhuan-dre Pretorius eases it toward long-on for a single.

FIVE WIDES! Bowls it full, sliding down the leg. Lhuan-dre Pretorius plays and misses. Seifert misses it and this runs down to fine leg for five bonus runs.

SIX! BOOM! Lhuan-dre Pretorius breaks the shackles with a biggie! Tosses it full, on off. Lhuan-dre Pretorius sits on his knee and launches it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a massive hit.

Floated full, on off. Reeza Hendricks hits it along the ground to long-off for one.

Flatter on off. Lhuan-dre Pretorius stays back and knocks it to long-on for one.

Tossed up on off. Reeza Hendricks drives it to long-off for one.

Mitchell Santner brings himself into the attack.

Pace off on back of a length, on the middle and leg. Reeza Hendricks pulls it on the bounce to deep mid-wicket for one. South Africa are 46/0 at the end of the Powerplay.

SIX! BANG! Back of a length, just outside off. Reeza Hendricks picks it early and crunches the pull over deep square leg for a massive hit.

Back of a length, angling across the batter. Lhuan-dre Pretorius looks to pull but this comes off the cue end toward mid-off for a streaky single.

LEG BYE! Fuller than a length, on the middle and leg. Reeza Hendricks looks to hack it across the line but misses. It comes off the pad toward cover point for a leg bye.

Slower ball on the full, around off. Lhuan-dre Pretorius shuffles across and drags this toward mid-on for one.

Overpitched, around off. Lhuan-dre Pretorius drills it very hard, back at Henry who gets his foot in the way and makes the stop.

Lands it on a length, on the middle and leg. Lhuan-dre Pretorius turns it round the corner for a single.

Pace off on a length, on off. Reeza Hendricks punches this to mid-off for one.

Keeps it on a length, around the fifth stump. Reeza Hendricks presses forward and knocks it to short cover.

On a length, angling into the middle and leg. Reeza Hendricks looks to tuck but gets the inside edge onto the pad.

Skiddy length ball, around off. Reeza Hendricks defends it back to the bowler.

Short of a good length, around off. Lhuan-dre Pretorius dabs it through cover point region and takes one.

SIX! What a shot! Much fuller and on middle, in the slot as well, Reeza Hendricks is not going to miss out on that and tonks it away elegantly over the long on fence for a biggie.

Tries to follow the batter, serves it full but down the leg side, Reeza Hendricks fails to glance it away. Wided.

Fuller and on off, shaping in, Lhuan-dre Pretorius looks to drive it away but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball rolls behind the stumps. A single taken.

Pitched up and on middle, Lhuan-dre Pretorius drills it towards mid on.

FOUR! Streaky! Short of a length and on middle, Lhuan-dre Pretorius looks to pull it away but gets a top edge that flies over the keeper's head for a boundary.

Another slower delivery, full and on off, keeps very low, Lhuan-dre Pretorius swings but it goes well under his bat.

Slower one, back of a length and on off, Lhuan-dre Pretorius looks to heave it away a bit too hard but misses.

SIX! BANG! Much better! Fuller in length and just around off, Reeza Hendricks presents the full face of the bat and launches it over the long off fence for a biggie.

Swing and a miss! Pitched up and on off, shapes in a bit, Reeza Hendricks has a wild swing at it but fails to connect. Yet to get off the mark.

On a length and on off, Lhuan-dre Pretorius stays back and looks to push it away but gets an inside edge towards short fine for a single.

Short of a length and outside off again, shaping away, Lhuan-dre Pretorius swings but misses. Another wide.

Hits the length hard but way outside off, angling further away, Lhuan-dre Pretorius goes down and winds up for the heave but leaves it alone. Wided.

Full again and on middle and leg, Lhuan-dre Pretorius drills it hard but straight to mid on. He is disappointed he failed to put it away.

FOUR! Zakary Foulkes comes 'over the wicket, full and on the pads, Lhuan-dre Pretorius picks it up nicely and whips it away wide of deep square leg for a boundary.

Good length and on off, Lhuan-dre Pretorius steps across and pats it down the pitch. Too many dot balls already.

BEAUTY! Short of a good length, shapes away and beats Reeza Hendricks all ends up on the defence.

Good length delivery on the off-stump line. Reeza Hendricks hangs back and dabs it towards point.

Fuller length delivery on the off-stump line. Reeza Hendricks defends it towards mid-off.

On a length, around off. Reeza Hendricks defends it into covers.

Pitched full, on middle. Lhuan-dre Pretorius bunts it toward mid-on for one.

Duffy starts with an excellent delivery. Yorker down the leg stump line, Pretorius gets surprised, he tries to clip it on the leg side but gets it on the back shoe and loses his balance and falls. Appeal from the bowler but it was turned down.

Jacob Duffy will share the attack.

Peach! Short of a good length, moves away a touch, and beats the outside edge of Reeza Hendricks.

On a hard length, on off. Punched toward mid-off for one.

Back of a length, angling across. Lhuan-dre Pretorius mistimes the slap into covers.

Full, swings back into the middle. Lhuan-dre Pretorius flicks it toward deep square leg for a couple.

Full-length delivery, moves away, around off. Lhuan-dre Pretorius looks to drive, gets the outside edge along the ground to short third.

FOUR! WHAT A SHOT! On a length, on off. Lhuan-dre Pretorius gets across and punches it through mid-wicket region for a cracking boundary to get off the mark.

A couple to end the innings! Pitched full, at the stumps. Daryl Mitchell lifts it toward the wide long-on region for two runs. New Zealand finish with 180/5.

Full and at the stumps. Mitchell Santner drives it past the bowler, down the ground, and settles for one.

High full toss on the middle and leg. Mitchell Santner hacks it toward deep square leg for a couple.

WIDE! Full, angling down the leg. Mitchell Santner flicks and misses. Wided.

OUT! EXCELLENT CATCH! Kwena Maphaka gets Bracewell. Full and well outside off. Michael Bracewell tries to get underneath and loft over the infield but it comes off the cue end and to the right of extra cover where George Linde takes a sharp catch. New Zealand are five down.

Mitchell Santner walks in next.

TWO WIDES! On a length and angling down the leg. Daryl Mitchell pulls and misses. A half stop by Lhuan-dre Pretorius allows the batter to sneak the extra run with the along with the wide.

A length ball outside off. Michael Bracewell mishits it to long-on for one.

Short of a length well outside the off. Bracewell shuffles across the line and miscues the pull towards deep backward square leg for a couple.

Kwena Maphaka (3-0-24-0) to bowl the final over. South Africa have been excellent in the past few overs. New Zealand will look to breach 185.

Very full on middle. Michael Bracewell drives it hard, and Nandre Burger tries to stop it on his follow-through but parries it towards mid-off. A single taken.

Low full toss on the middle. Michael Bracewell flicks this toward the deep mid-wicket region, and a fumble in the deep allows the double.

Slower and shorter outside off. Daryl Mitchell reaches for it and cuts it to deep cover point for one.

Full, at the stumps. Michael Bracewell digs it out and bunts it to long-on for one.

Low full toss angled down the leg. Michael Bracewell flicks and misses. Brushes the pad on the way to the keeper.

Yorker, on the middle and leg. Daryl Mitchell jams it toward deep mid-on for one.

Michael Bracewell misses out on a freebie! Full toss outside off. Michael Bracewell swings and misses.

Yorker on off. Michael Bracewell squeezes it through covers and scampers for the double.

Low full-toss near the off. The batter shuffles across the line and gets the splice of the bat while trying to intent a ramp. He runs for a single.

Yorker length ball, follows the batter, outside leg stump. Daryl Mitchell makes space and works it toward deep square leg for a couple.

Full, sliding down the leg. Michael Bracewell moves across and tries to scoop but gets it off the toe end to the right of the keeper for a single.

FOUR! CLEVER BATTING! Low full toss, around off. Michael Bracewell moves across and helps it toward fine leg for a cheeky boundary.

Pitched full, on off. Michael Bracewell eases this to long-on for one.

Michael Bracewell walks in at 6.

OUT! CAUGHT! Nandre Burger gets the big fish! Another low full toss on the middle stump line. Rachin Ravindra hacks it high toward the deep mid-wicket region. Fails to get the elevation or the distance and is caught near the ropes by Dewald Brevis. The umpires want to check for a No Ball here. The front foot looks alright, but the back foot is very close to the return crease. After a few replays, the third umpire deems it is a fair delivery. A fine knock from Ravindra ends now as he walks back for 47. New Zealand are four down.

FOUR! FINDS THE GAP! Slower and shorter on off. Rachin Ravindra pulls it toward deep square leg and beats the fielders coming toward it for a cracking shot.

Low full toss on the middle and leg. Rachin Ravindra flicks this toward fine leg for a couple.

Another full toss, around off. Daryl Mitchell swings hard but miscues it on the bounce to deep cover for a single.

Low full toss on middle. Rachin Ravindra hits it to long-on for one.

Full-length delivery around off. Rachin Ravindra drives it hard to deep extra cover for one.

WIDE! Pitched full, outside the tramline. Rachin Ravindra lets it go. Wide signaled.

LEG BYE! Yorker length ball outside the leg stump. Daryl Mitchell makes room, and the bowler follows him. Mitchell misses the flick and it comes off the pad toward square leg for a leg bye.

Low full toss outside off. Rachin Ravindra looks to drive and gets the outside edge to deep third for a single.

Full again, around off. Drilled to mid-off for just a single.

FOUR! CHEEKY AND EFFECTIVE! Full-length delivery, around off. Daryl Mitchell sits back and scoops it over the man at short third for a clever boundary.

Yorker, on the leg stump line. Daryl Mitchell looks to work through the on-side but misses and wears on the pad.

On a length, on off. Daryl Mitchell hits this to long-on for a single. New Zealand are 135/3 with five overs to go.

Short of a good length, on middle. Rachin Ravindra works it through square leg for a single.

Banged in short, on off. Daryl Mitchell miscues the pull toward deep mid-wicket and takes one. Lands on the bounce to the fielder.

Back of a length again, on the middle and leg. Pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single.

WIDE! Back of a length, slanting down the leg. Rachin Ravindra plays and misses. Wided.

Slower and shorter outside off. Daryl Mitchell slaps it to deep point for one.

Back of a length, angled in on off. Rachin Ravindra makes room and dabs it down to deep third for one.

Pace off, back of a length around off. Daryl Mitchell hops and dabs it toward the backward point. End of a fine spell from Lungi Ngidi.

WIDE! On a length and well outside off. Daryl Mitchell looks to cut but misses. Wide signaled by the umpire.

Daryl Mitchell walks in next.

CHAPMAN HOLES OUT! SHARP CATCH IN THE DEEP! Another slower ball on the full, on the middle and leg. Mark Chapman advances down the pitch and miscues it high toward the deep mid-wicket region. Rubin Hermann there keeps his eye on the ball and takes it nicely above his head, close to the ropes. The poor run of form continues for Chapman. New Zealand lose their third.

LEG BYE! Slower bumper, on off. Rachin Ravindra is early into the pull shot and gets a blow on the helmet. A mandatory concussion check for Ravindra, and he is fine. The ball rolls into the on-side and they take a leg bye.

FOUR! EASY PICKINGS! Short of a length and angling down the leg. Rachin Ravindra helps it to fine leg for a boundary.

Pitched full, on off. Mark Chapman strokes it back to the bowler, who gets a boot on the way and ricochets it toward mid-wicket for a single.

Slower ball on a length, on the middle and leg. Rachin Ravindra shimmies down and mistimes the hack toward deep mid-wicket for one.

Shortish and outside off. Rachin Ravindra slaps this to long-off for one.

SIX MORE! UP AND OVER! Floated full, on the middle and leg. Rachin Ravindra sits on his knee and slogs it hard, clears the man at deep square leg for a thumping hit.

Too full, on the leg. Mark Chapman sweeps this to deep backward square leg for a single.

Flighted full, on the midlde. Mark Chapman turns it to short mid-wicket.

Flatter and quicker outside off. Rachin Ravindra cuts this to deep cover point for one.

SIX! CLUBBED! Tossed up full, on middle. Rachin Ravindra shimmies down, gets to the pitch of the ball, and smokes it over the cow corner fence for half a dozen.

Short of a good length on the middle and leg. Rachin Ravindra tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

On a length, on middle. Mark Chapman knocks it toward wide mid-on for one.

Slower ball on the full, on the middle and leg. Ravindra clips it toward square leg and takes one.

LEG BYE! Back of a length on the hip. Tucked off the pad into the leg side for a leg bye.

Mark Chapman walks in at 4.

OUT! TOP EDGE AND GONE! Lungi Ngidi removes the well-set Conway! Back-of-a-length delivery, around the left shoulder. Devon Conway looks to hook it over fine leg but gets the top edge off some extra bounce and miscues toward short fine leg, where Nandre Burger takes a simple catch. New Zealand lose their second.

Pitched full, on the middle and leg. Ravindra flicks this to deep square leg for one.

FOUR! GETS THE PROPER CONNECTION NOW! Good length delivery on the middle. Devon Conway moves across and ramps it over the keeper for a clever boundary. 100 up for New Zealand!

OUCH! Pitched full, outside off. Devon Conway moves across to the scoop but gets it off the cue end onto the side of the helmet, rolls toward the short third region. A part of the helmet comes off, and the physio is out in the middle to get the concussion check done. He looks fine, though, and will continue.

FOUR! SUPERB TIMING! Fuller than a good length, on the middle. Devon Conway shimmies down and steers it through the backward point region for a nicely played boundary.

On a length, around off. Rachin Ravindra dabs it down to deep third for a single.

FOUR! LOVELY SHOT! Pitched full, on the middle and leg. Rachin Ravindra flicks it wristily toward the wide of long on region for a cracking boundary.

In the air and lands safe! Full and outside off. Rachin Ravindra goes hard for the drive but ends up slicing aerially toward the deep backward point region for a couple.

Nandre Burger (1-0-11-0) is back into the attack.

Another fuller one, on leg, Rachin Ravindra fails to work it away as the ball goes off his pads towards mid-wicket. A leg bye taken.

Pitched up and on middle, angling in, Rachin Ravindra misses his flick and gets hit on the pads.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Back of a length but angling down the leg side, there to be put away. Rachin Ravindra does not miss out and just helps it on its way to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Change of pace, on a length and on off, Devon Conway runs it down to third man for another run.

Full again and on middle and leg, Rachin Ravindra tucks it through mid-wicket for a run.

Fuller and on off, Devon Conway drives it to mid off for a single.

Another shorter one, on off, Devon Conway punches it to sweeper covers for one.

Short and around off, Rachin Ravindra steers it through point for a run.

Rachin Ravindra walks out to bat at number 3.

OUT! ABSOLUTE STUNNER! South Africa is known for their fielding and the skipper has produced something special here to get the breakthrough for his side. Senuran Muthusamy flights it up, full and outside off, Tim Seifert uses his feet to loft it over covers, but has to reach out for it a bit and loses his bottom hand. Ends up hitting it much flatter, and Rassie van der Dussen at short covers leaps up to his left and takes a brilliant catch with both hands. Seifert goes for 30 off 28, and New Zealand are 75/1!

Close! Flatter, short and around off, Tim Seifert looks to cut it away but gets a bottom edge that just goes past the off pole.

Floated, full and around off, Devon Conway drills it towards sweeper covers for a single.

SIX! Going, going, gone! Tossed up, full and on middle and leg, Devon Conway skips down the track to get closer to the pitch of the ball and smokes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Pitched up and on leg, Devon Conway clips it through square leg for one more. 13 runs off the over!

Fuller and on off, Tim Seifert pushes it towards covers for one.

On a length and on leg, Devon Conway pats it towards mid on for a single.

FOUR! Fantastic shot! Short of a length and outside off again, Devon Conway gets the chance to free his arms and crunches it through point for a boundary.

Back of a length and around off, Devon Conway uses his feet and punches it wide of deep point for a brace. This is now the highest opening stand in this Tri Series.

FOUR! Gets greeted with a boundary! Fuller and well outside off, Devon Conway accepts the width on offer and lifts it beautfully over extra covers for a boundary.

Corbin Bosch replaces Kwena Maphaka

Short and on leg, Devon Conway nudges it through mid-wicket for one.

Stumping chance...missed! Slows it up, full and on middle and leg, turns away, Devon Conway backs away to tuck it but gets beaten on the flight. He loses his balance too, but Lhuan-dre Pretorius fails to collect it cleanly and the chance goes begging.

Tossed up, full and on off, Tim Seifert scythes it to long off for one.

Flighted, full and on leg, Devon Conway drills it to long on for a single.

Floated, short and on middle and off, Devon Conway moves back and stabs it to short covers.

Fires in a yorker, on off, Devon Conway digs it out to the off side.

Senuran Muthusamy comes into the attack now.

Pitched up and on middle, Devon Conway knocks it towards mid on. New Zealand are 52 for no loss at the end of the Powerplay!

Hard length and around off, Tim Seifert drags it towards mid on and sets off for the run. The fielder fails to pick it up cleanly or else there could have been a chance of a run out.

Bangs in a bouncer, on middle and leg, Tim Seifert looks to hook it away but fails to connect.

Back of a length and on off, Devon Conway waits for it and steers it wide of short third. Lungi Ngidi moves to his right and dives to make a great stop. saves three for his team. Also, 50 up for New Zealand!

Short of a length and outside off, Tim Seifert cuts it to deep poiint for a single.

SIX! That is some shot! Fuller one and around off, Tim Seifert gets across early to get inside the line of the ball. He plays the no-look scoop as the ball sails over the fine leg fence for a biggie.

Quicker, full and on leg, Tim Seifert knocks it towards mid on and scampers across for one.

FOUR! Straight as an arrow! This is another short delivery, on middle, Tim Seifert picks up the length early, moves back and swats it right over the bowler's head for another boundary.

Flatter, short and on off, Tim Seifert stabs it out towards short covers.

FOUR! Nicely played! Drags his length back and around off, Tim Seifert uses the depth of the crease to back away and slaps it over extra covers for a boundary.

Fires one full and on leg, Tim Seifert looks to go for the lofted shot but gets an inside edge towards square leg.

Floated, full and around off, Tim Seifert heaves it towards mid-wicket.

Time for some spin now as George Linde comes into the attack.

Pitched up and on middle and leg, Devon Conway misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. A slight appeal for LBW, but turned down.

FOUR! Gets it away! Short again and outside off, Devon Conway slashes hard at it and gets a thick outside edge. The fielder at short third thinks he is in the game but this flies well over him for a boundary.

In the air..safe! Slower one, full and on off, Tim Seifert goes after it but loses his bottom hand and mistimes it in the air. The fielder at deep point runs forward but the ball lands just in front of him. They cross.

Excellent bowling! Short of a length and on middle, takes off viciously. Tim Seifert looks to cut but gets beaten all ends up.

Back of a length and around off, Devon Conway cuts it through point for a run.

Fuller and outside off, Tim Seifert opens the face of his bat and squeezes it out to deep point for a single.

FOUR! Up and over! Goes a bit too full and outside off, slower too, Devon Conway gets the chance to free his arms and smacks it over extra covers for a boundary.

Takes pace off again, pitched up and on middle, Tim Seifert uses his feet and drags it wide of mid on for another run.

Extra bounce! Lungi Ngidi bangs this one into the pitch and puts in the extra effort on this one, around off, takes off a bit. Tim Seifert slashes at it but gets beaten by the bounce.

A slower one now, full and on off, Tim Seifert goes through the drive early and gets it from the toe-end of the bat towards short mid-wicket.

Lungi Ngidi sees the batter back away and lands this on a hard length, on middle, angling in. Devon Conway looks to go over covers but gets an inside edge onto his thigh pads as the ball rolls to the off side. They cross.

Fuller and angling into the pads, Tim Seifert clips it through square leg for a single.

Hits the length hard, on off, Tim Seifert rides the bounce and pats it wide of mid off for one. 11 runs off the over!

Nandre Burger is struggling with his line a bit here! He goes on a length but down the leg side again, Tim Seifert fails to glance it away. Third wide of the over.

Full again and on off, Tim Seifert pushes it towards covers.

Overpitched and on off, Devon Conway drills it to sweeper covers for another run.

Beaten! Goes fuller and around off, shaping away, Devon Conway gets drawn forward into the drive but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Hard length and outside off, Tim Seifert guides it off the outer half of the bat through point for a run.

Touch slower and full but down the leg, Tim Seifert misses his flick. Wided.

Back of a length and around off, Devon Conway uses his feet and punches it through cover-point for a single.

FIVE WIDES! Not the ideal start! Nandre Burger loses his line completely and begins with a hard-length delivery, but way down the leg side. It moves further in. Devon Conway is nowhere near the ball and the keeper also had no chance of stopping that as the ball races to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Nandre Burger to share the attack.

FOUR! First one of the final! Just short of a length and outside off, Tim Seifert gets on top of the bounce and punches it with sweet timing through covers for a boundary. 8 runs off the first over!

Good length and on midlde, angling in, Devon Conway looks to play at it but misses and gets hit on the back pad as the ball rolls towards point. Another leg bye taken.

Back of a length and angling into the body of the batter, Tim Seifert fails to glance it away as the ball goes off his thigh pads towards short fine. There is a bit of hesitation but the batters take the leg bye.

Hits the length hard, on off, nips back in, Tim Seifert covers the line of the ball and blocks it out.

Pitched up and on off, Devon Conway drives it towards mid off for a run and gets off the mark.

Lungi Ngidi starts with a fuller delivery, on off, Tim Seifert pushes it towards covers for a single. New Zealand are underway in the final!

Done with the pre-match formalities! We can see the South African players in a huddle before they spread out to take their respective field positions. Tim Seifert and Devon Conway are the two openers for New Zealand. Lungi Ngidi has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

The teams and match officials have lined up for the national anthems. We start with the anthem of New Zealand, followed by that of South Africa. Live action is coming shortly.

George Linde is up for a chat. He says that so far, he has batted well in the series and is happy to chip in with the ball and feels confident. Shares that they always find a way to come out better when under pressure. Closes by sharing that they have got the best team for the condition and is looking for to the final.

Pitch Report - Ed Rainsford is at the pitchside. He says that this particular pitch has had ten days of rest, and it looks like a good one, the cracks are evident as they had to manage the water content. Adds that it looks like a belter, has a mosaic look to it, and there's some live grass too, which should aid true bounce and allow the ball to come nicely onto the bat. Closes by sharing that it is a belter of a track and tailor-made for a high-quality final.

Mitchell Santner, the skipper of New Zealand, says that it looks like a good track, and they have to see what it does with the new ball and take it from there. Adds that it looks like one of the best wickets in the tournament. Shares that they have played well and but today is the final and they have to bank on the experiences of playing on this kind of pitch. Closes by adding that they have four changes with Tim Robinson, Bevon Jacobs, Ish Sodhi, and Will O'Rourke missing out.

Rassie van der Dussen, the skipper of South Africa, wins the toss and opts to bowl. He says that bowling first looks like a good option as the pitch is dry and the wicket won't change much. Adds that they are going with three quicks and two spinners. Shares that they haven't put in a complete performance and looks to play well through the 40 overs as the trophy is up for grabs.

South Africa (Playing XI) - Reeza Hendricks, Lhuan-dre Pretorius(WK), Rassie van der Dussen(C), Rubin Hermann, Dewald Brevis, George Linde, Corbin Bosch (in for Andile Simelane), Senuran Muthusamy, Nandre Burger (in for Gerald Coetzee), Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi (in for Nqabayomzi Peter).

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Tim Seifert(WK), Devon Conway (in for Tim Robinson), Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell (in for Bevon Jacobs), Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(C), Zakary Foulkes, Adam Milne (in for Ish Sodhi), Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy (in for Will O'Rourke).

Toss Update - South Africa have won the toss and opted to BOWL.

There have been some bright spots in South Africa’s campaign. Rubin Hermann has impressed on his debut series, while Dewald Brevis and skipper Rassie van der Dussen have chipped in with valuable contributions. With the ball, Lungi Ngidi, Senuran Muthusamy, and George Linde have been amongst the wickets. However, the team will need to fire collectively and rise above their group-stage setbacks if they are to challenge New Zealand and claim the Tri-Series title. This promises to be a captivating showdown, where tactics, temperament, and individual brilliance could decide the champion. With momentum firmly with New Zealand and South Africa hungry for redemption, the 2025 Zimbabwe T20I Tri-Series final is set to be a thrilling finale.

The Black Caps have not only registered dominant wins over both South Africa and Zimbabwe twice each, but have also looked composed and clinical in all departments. The batting lineup, powered by the likes of Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Tim Seifert, and Tim Robinson, has been in top form. Meanwhile, the bowling attack, led by Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, and Ish Sodhi, has consistently taken wickets and applied pressure. New Zealand may look to recall a few of their first-choice players after rotating the squad in their last game against Zimbabwe. Their strategy so far has been built around restricting opponents with disciplined bowling and then chasing down targets with calculated aggression. They will be eager to maintain their unbeaten run and cap off a dominant campaign with the trophy. 

Hello and welcome to our coverage of the Final in the Zimbabwe T20I Tri-Series 2025. Today’s highly anticipated clash features South Africa taking on New Zealand at the iconic Harare Sports Club. New Zealand have been the standout performer of the tournament, cruising through the group stage unbeaten. South Africa, on the other hand, have had a more turbulent journey. They enter the final with two wins, both against Zimbabwe, and two losses, both at the hands of New Zealand. The Proteas know they’ll need a markedly improved performance to overcome the Black Caps in the final. 

…MATCHDAY…

The 2025 Zimbabwe Tri-Nation Series culminates in a highly anticipated final between two cricketing powerhouses, New Zealand and South Africa. New Zealand has been the dominant force in this tri-series, showcasing a flawless record in the group stages. They have convincingly defeated both South Africa and hosts Zimbabwe twice, demonstrating their strong form and adaptability to the Zimbabwean conditions. Their most recent victory over South Africa, a seven-wicket win where they chased down 134 with 25 balls to spare, highlighted their batting depth and efficient bowling. Tim Seifert's unbeaten 66 in that match was a standout performance, building on earlier contributions from players like Devon Conway and Ish Sodhi, who took four wickets against Zimbabwe in an earlier encounter. The Black Caps' all-round performance has instilled confidence as they head into the final. South Africa, while securing their spot in the final, has had a more mixed run. They bounced back from their initial loss to New Zealand with a crucial win against Zimbabwe, effectively eliminating the hosts from contention. Their batting has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly with Rubin Hermann's maiden international half-century and Rassie van der Dussen's consistent contributions. However, their top order has at times struggled to set imposing totals, and their bowling, while capable, will need to be at its sharpest to contain the in-form New Zealand batting lineup. New Zealand holds a clear psychological advantage, having defeated South Africa in both their previous encounters in the series. The Black Caps' bowlers have managed to restrict the Proteas effectively, and their batsmen have found ways to score freely against the South African attack. This history will undoubtedly be on the minds of both teams as they step onto the field for the biggest match of the tournament. This final promises to be a captivating contest, with both teams vying for supremacy in a crucial lead-up to future international assignments. Expect a hard-fought battle where individual brilliance and tactical acumen will play a significant role in determining the champion of the 2025 Zimbabwe Tri-Series.