Matt Henry defended seven runs in the final over against South Africa to guide New Zealand to victory in the Harare tri-series final. In doing so, New Zealand became the only team to successfully defend a total at the venue during the tournament. South Africa looked well on course to chase down 181, reaching 92 without loss by the tenth over, but a collapse followed where they lost four wickets for 39 runs.
That slump left South Africa needing 50 runs from the last 29 balls. Dewald Brevis and George Linde then added 43 off 25 deliveries to take them close, but both fell under pressure in the final over as Henry delivered a calm, composed finish.
Brevis, batting on 31 off 14 balls, failed to score off the first ball of the 20th over. On the next delivery, he attempted to pull a short ball and found Michael Bracewell at deep midwicket. Bracewell took the catch just inside the boundary, and Brevis walked back. Corbin Bosch came in and managed two runs after a misfield but couldn’t find the boundary. Linde then faced Henry and hit a catch straight to long-on, taken cleanly by Daryl Mitchell. With four needed off the final ball, Senruan Muthusamy swung too early at a slower ball and missed, sealing the win for New Zealand.
Henry ended the series as the leading wicket-taker with ten wickets in four matches.
Ngidi shines but South Africa fall short
South Africa’s bowling had its moments. Lungi Ngidi stood out with figures of 2 for 24 in four overs and bowled with discipline. However, the team’s overall effort was inconsistent. Their seamers bowled eight wides, and the total number of extras reached 13.
New Zealand were tested for the first time in the series, having cruised in their previous four matches. They started well in the final, with Tim Seifert and Devon Conway putting together a 75-run opening stand. But the middle and lower order could not maintain the momentum. New Zealand scored just three boundaries in the last three overs and ended with five wickets in hand at 180.
South Africa’s fielding brilliance
Despite their defeat, South Africa’s fielding was a highlight. Rassie van der Dussen took a sharp diving catch at extra cover to dismiss Seifert, who had looked in excellent touch on 30 off 27. Conway fell next for 47, caught at short fine leg. Rubin Hermann pulled off a spectacular leaping catch to remove Mark Chapman, and George Linde completed the fielding showcase with a low catch in the covers to dismiss Bracewell.
Ravindra brings flair
Rachin Ravindra added flair and aggression to New Zealand’s innings. He scored 47 runs at a strike rate of 174.07, largely targeting the leg side. He began with a delicate glance for four and followed it up with powerful strokes, including two sixes off Senruan Muthusamy in the same over. He also struck fours off Ngidi and Nandre Burger before toe-ending a shot to Brevis at deep midwicket. Ravindra narrowly missed a second straight fifty in the series.
Pretorius steps up
Lhuan-dre Pretorius, promoted back to the top of the order after a slow start to his T20I career, responded with his maiden half-century. He opened South Africa’s innings with a crisp four and battled early pressure from New Zealand’s pace attack. Despite some shaky moments, he grew into the innings and reached fifty off 33 balls with a six over long-on. His partnership of 92 with Reeza Hendricks gave South Africa a solid platform.
Pretorius was eventually dismissed for 51, caught behind trying to swing big. His knock, though, showed promise and justified his return to the top order.
Duffy proves his worth
Jacob Duffy, ranked the top T20I bowler by the ICC, was tidy and effective early on. His first two overs cost only 13 runs, and he mixed his pace well to trouble the batters. He returned in the 16th over to remove Rubin Hermann, who hit a catch to long-on. Duffy nearly got Brevis out in the same over but was denied when a catch behind was ruled a wide.
Duffy was not given the 18th over, which turned out costly as Zakary Foulkes conceded 15 runs and shifted momentum toward South Africa. When Duffy returned for the 19th, his attempted yorkers missed their mark, and Brevis capitalized with two sixes. Still, New Zealand’s experience proved decisive as they held their nerve at the death.
With this win, New Zealand completed an unbeaten run in the series and lifted the trophy, reaffirming their status as one of the most reliable sides in T20I cricket.
