New Zealand continued their dominant run in the Zimbabwe T20I Tri-Series with a commanding 60-run victory over hosts Zimbabwe in Match 6 at the Harare Sports Club on July 24. With this win, the Black Caps secured their fourth consecutive win in the series and further established their credentials heading into the tournament final.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, New Zealand posted an imposing total of 190 for 6 in their 20 overs—the highest total of the tri-series so far. Openers Tim Seifert and Rachin Ravindra laid a strong foundation with a blistering 108-run partnership for the second wicket. Seifert, in terrific form throughout the series, top-scored with a fluent 75 off just 45 balls, laced with nine boundaries and a six. Ravindra played a composed yet aggressive knock of 63 off 39 deliveries, effectively setting the tone for a big score.
Middle-order contributions came from Michael Bracewell, who smashed a quickfire 26 off 16 balls, accelerating the innings in the final overs. Zimbabwe’s bowling struggled to contain the flow of runs, with none of the bowlers able to stem the tide against the rampant Kiwi batting lineup.
In response, Zimbabwe’s chase got off to a shaky start and never recovered. Facing a steep target, their top-order crumbled under the pressure of disciplined and sharp Kiwi bowling. New Zealand’s bowling attack was led by Ish Sodhi, who delivered a match-winning spell, claiming 4 wickets for just 12 runs in his 4 overs. He was instrumental in breaking Zimbabwe’s backbone during the powerplay overs, making it nearly impossible for the hosts to mount any form of resistance.
Pacer Matt Henry provided the early breakthrough and returned figures of 2 for 34, while Will O’Rourke and Mitchell Santner kept the pressure on with tight lines and clever variations. Zimbabwe were eventually bowled out for 130 in 18.5 overs, falling well short of the target and suffering their fourth defeat in as many games.
The standout performance from Sodhi earned him the Player of the Match award. Post-match, he highlighted the team’s preparation and adaptability to the Harare pitch, emphasizing the value of early wickets and controlled spin in the middle overs.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner lauded the team’s all-round effort, especially the seamless transition made by players coming in through squad rotations. He emphasized the importance of momentum as the Kiwis now look ahead to the final against South Africa, scheduled for July 26.
For Zimbabwe, the tournament has been a tough outing. Despite glimpses of potential, particularly from individual batters in earlier matches, their inability to stitch together consistent performances has been their undoing. With the group stage behind them, Zimbabwe will now reflect on key areas for improvement—particularly their handling of spin and ability to construct partnerships under pressure.
As the tri-series nears its conclusion, New Zealand remain the clear favorites—undefeated, confident, and well-balanced across departments. Their clinical performance against Zimbabwe was another testament to their form and depth heading into the all-important final.