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Tri Series’ Sixth Match: New Zealand Vs Zimbabwe
Yesterday, on 24 July 2025, a Twenty20 International (T20I) match between New Zealand and Zimbabwe took place at the Harare Sports Club in Harare.
This match was the sixth fixture of the 2025 Zimbabwe T20I Tri‑Series, which involved New Zealand, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
New Zealand Won The Toss:
The match was played at Harare Sports Club (Zimbabwe). New Zealand won the toss and decided to bat first.
On a pitch that was expected to be tricky for batting, many captains earlier choosing to bowl first in this series.
New Zealand posted a total of 190 runs for the loss of six wickets in their full 20 overs.
New Zealand’s Inning:
The inning was anchored by a powerful stand of 108 runs for the second wicket between Rachin Ravindra, who scored 63 off 39 balls, and Tim Seifert, who made 75 off 45 balls. After early wickets fell, this partnership set the tone for the innings.
Later, Michael Bracewell chipped in with a quick cameo of 26 off 16 balls to provide finishing momentum.
Zimbabwe’s Inning:
In response, Zimbabwe struggled with their chase and were bowled out for 130 runs in 18.5 overs, losing by 60 runs. Zimbabwe’s chief contribution came from Tony Munyonga, who made 40 off 30 balls, and Dion Myers, scoring 22 off 18 balls.
But the rest of the batting fell away as the New Zealand bowlers executed well.
Match Top Scorer:
The star of the match was New Zealand spinner Ish Sodhi, who claimed 4 wickets for just 12 runs in 4 overs, including three wickets in the powerplay overs, striking early to dismantle the Zimbabwe top order and finishing with a career‑best figure in the format.
He thereby became just the second New Zealand bowler to reach 150 T20I wickets, after Tim Southee.
Matt Henry also supported with 2 wickets for 34 runs in 3 overs to help finish the job. New Zealand’s victory maintained their perfect record in the round‑robin phase and secured their place in the final of the tri‑series against South Africa, scheduled for 26 July 2025 at the same venue.
Captains’ comments after the match are as follows:
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said that the batters did an excellent job on what he described as a difficult wicket. He pointed out that many players stepped up at different times in the series, making his selection decisions harder before the final.
He also noted that Ish Sodhi had a new role bowling in the powerplay and that his wickets put New Zealand in a good position early in the chase.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza shared his thoughts from the dressing room. He said that the pitch tends to get easier in the second innings, but Zimbabwe made the same batting mistakes again and dug holes for themselves.
He lamented dropping crucial wickets and emphasized that even in a match he termed a “dead rubber,” he would remind his players it is never truly dead for Zimbabwe.
He also offered that experienced players would return in the next series, and he looked forward to that.
Complete Match Summary:
The match began under clear skies at Harare Sports Club on 24 July 2025. New Zealand won the toss and surprised many by choosing to bat first. The surface looked slow, but batsmen who got set could still score well.
Tim Robinson fell early in the New Zealand innings, but then Rachin Ravindra and Tim Seifert built a solid second-wicket partnership worth 108 runs.
Ravindra played fluently and ran hard between the wickets, finishing on 63 from 39 balls with some brisk boundaries. Seifert anchored the innings with well‑timed shots, reaching 75 in 45 balls. The pair rotated strike and punished anything loose.
Once the top partnership ended, New Zealand lost a couple of wickets. But Michael Bracewell added a quick late burst, hitting 26 in 16 balls to take the score to 190/6. At that point, this was the highest total of the series.
New Zealand batters felt confident they had set a strong target.
In reply, Zimbabwe saw a promising start. The openers, including Dion Myers at the top for the first time in his T20I career, offered intent.
Myers hit a couple of boundaries early, but leg‑spinner Ish Sodhi came into bowl during the third over and struck with his second delivery.
He wrapped up three wickets in two overs during the powerplay by executing his variations in the right areas. Zimbabwe lost early wickets and slumped to 44 for 5 by the eighth over, struggling to build any momentum.
Tony Munyonga and Tashinga Musekiwa then tried to raise some resistance with a sixth-wicket partnership worth around 51 runs, which added some respectability. Munyonga reached 40 off 30 balls with a few crisp shots.
But New Zealand bowlers kept the discipline. Sodhi returned later to claim his fourth wicket, while Matt Henry chipped in with two late scalps. Zimbabwe were all out for 130 in 18.5 overs, losing by 60 runs.
New Zealand celebrated another strong performance. Sodhi was rightly named player of the match for his four for twelve. He said he enjoyed that new powerplay role and hoped wickets would keep coming.
Captain Santner praised his batters and noted the depth and flexibility of the squad as they head into the final against South Africa.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza reflected that poor shot selection and losing key wickets cheaply cost them the match, and he stressed that every game matters even if the series outcome is already decided.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Qn 1. What was the final result of the match yesterday?
Ans: New Zealand beat Zimbabwe by 60 runs in the T20I match at Harare Sports Club on 24 July 2025.
Qn 2. Who scored the most runs for New Zealand?
Ans. Tim Seifert, with a score of 75 off 45 balls, was the top scorer for New Zealand.
Qn 3. Who was the player of the match?
Ans. Ish Sodhi, who took 4 wickets for 12 runs in his four overs, earned player of the match honours.
Qn 4. How many wickets did Ish Sodhi take?
Ans. Four wickets, and his figures were 4/12 in 4 overs.
Qn 5. What milestone did Sodhi achieve?
Ans. He reached 150 T20I wickets, becoming the second New Zealand bowler after Tim Southee to do so.
Qn 6. Who contributed the most for Zimbabwe in batting?
Ans. Tony Munyonga, with 40 runs off 30 balls, and Dion Myers, with 22 off 18, were the only Zimbabweans to pass twenty.
Qn 7. Where was the match played?
Ans. At Harare Sports Club in Harare, Zimbabwe, on 24 July 2025.
Qn 8. What was the series context?
Ans. This match was part of the 2025 Zimbabwe T20I Tri‑Series, involving New Zealand, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, played between 14 and 26 July 2025.
Qn 9. What did the New Zealand captain say after the match?
Ans. Mitchell Santner said the batters did well on a tricky wicket, many players stood up at different times, and Sodhi’s powerplay bowling made a key impact.
Qn 10. What did the Zimbabwe captain say after the match?
Ans. Sikandar Raza said the batting mistakes, dropped wickets, and poor decision-making cost them. He emphasized that every game matters, even if it seems a dead rubber, and looked forward to stronger performances in the upcoming series.
Conclusion:
In simple terms, New Zealand delivered a commanding performance in Harare yesterday to defeat Zimbabwe by 60 runs. A solid batting display led by Seifert and Ravindra set up a big total of 190.
Zimbabwe never recovered in reply after early damage by Sodhi and were dismissed for 130. Sodhi’s powerplay bowling, reaching 150 T20I wickets, was the decisive factor, while the rest of New Zealand’s bowlers also executed well.
Both captains spoke honestly: Mitchell Santner praised the team effort and spinner’s new role, while Sikandar Raza acknowledged Zimbabwe’s poor batting approach and urged respect for every match.
With this win, New Zealand kept their unbeaten record and secured their place in the final, where they will face South Africa on 26 July 2025.