Match Details

NZ vs SA, Final T20, ZIM Tri Series 2025 live

177-6(20.0)

New Zealand won by 3 runs 🏆

(20.0)180-5

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Commentary

A scintillating encounter we got in hand in this Zimbabwe Tri-series. Plenty of takeaway for both sides as New Zealand beat South Africa in a humdinger. This is Arijit Kundu signing off alongside reverend co-commentator Hitesh Peddurwar and scorer/associate Manish Bishnoi. Hope to relive more of such encounters. Adios!

Mitchell Santner (New Zealand Captain): " The most pleasing aspect today was how the team managed to hang in there under pressure. Scoring 180 was a solid effort, though we felt we were maybe 10-15 runs short. Credit to South Africa , their bowling at the death was outstanding. Throughout this tri-series, we’ve seen how important it is to take early wickets in the powerplay, otherwise it becomes hard to contain teams.

We were fairly happy with our total, but we knew we had to bowl well, and different players stepped up at key moments. As a captain, that’s what you want a group of guys who are clear in their roles and ready to deliver. That makes leading the side much easier.

Talking to Matt Henry in the final over, the idea was still to force the batters to hit to the longer side. Brevis was striking the ball beautifully, and we knew we needed a breakthrough. Once we got it, Henry nailed his execution perfectly."

Matt Henry (Player of the Match & Player of the Series): "Yeah, I think as a group we played some good cricket. A tight game as well. Yeah, we had to drag the length back and adapt to it. They got a good start and we knew that we have to keep things tight and take it to the deep.

The World Cup coming up, and the home series as well. We have to be in good rhythm.

Yeah, nice guys, there are plenty of nice options and we are looking go upwards from here."

Player of the Match and Player of the Series: Matt Henry

Rassie van der Dussen (South Africa Captain): "Really proud of how the team played today. It was a quality performance and we ticked almost every box. In a game that comes down to such fine margins, even a single centimeter can make the difference like that Brevis six that just fell short.

From the start of this tri-series, our focus was on trying new things, experimenting with combinations. But today, we went in with what we felt was our strongest XI. We played a very good game of cricket against an experienced New Zealand side, and for our young players to take it so close, it’s a huge learning opportunity.

Everyone contributed, and it was particularly encouraging to see the younger guys stepping up. With several senior players resting, this was a chance for others to raise their hands and show they belong and they did exactly that. As a group, we’ve taken big strides forward."

Time for the post-match presentation ceremony!

Smallest Margin of Wins by New Zealand in T20Is (by runs):

- 1 run vs India – Chennai, 2012

- 1 run vs Pakistan – Bridgetown, 2010

- 3 runs vs Sri Lanka – Colombo (RPS), 2009

- 3 runs vs Sri Lanka – Mount Maunganui, 2016

- 3 runs vs South Africa – Harare, 2025 (This Match)

Smallest Margin of Defeat for South Africa in T20I (by runs):

- 1 run vs England –Johannesburg, 2009

- 1 run vs India – Colombo (RPS), 2012

- 2 runs vs England – Durban, 2020

- 3 runs vs Pakistan – Lahore, 2021

- 3 runs vs New Zealand – Harare, 2025 (This Match)

8:01 PM IST and 4:31 PM Local Time: After a series of crests and troughs in this battle, New Zealand beat South Africa in the Zimbabwe Tri-series final in Harare. Ten years down the line, the same two sides faced off in a World Cup semi-final, and the outcome was the same. A decade later, in a relatively low-stakes match, these two sides square off and gift the cricketing fraternity with a contest to remember for the ages.

The Kiwis, undeterred till the last moment. Seven runs to defend off the last over against an on-song Dewald Brevis. Matt Henry steps in and rubbishes the underrated tag for a world-class title. A couple of wickets and only three runs conceded. The match swung back to the Kiwis' side after South Africa seemed the best to win in the 19th over.

Earlier, a 92-run opening stand was recorded for the opening stand with Lhuan-dre Pretorious belting a 35-ball fifty. However, South Africa lost wickets in a periodic way during the middle overs phase until Dewald Brevis kept things going from one end. Their middle order collapsed while trying to play aggressively, leaving 37 runs for the last three overs. This is when Brevis and George Linde teed off 15 runs each off the subsequent overs before Matt Henry defended seven runs in the final over to hand New Zealand the victory in Harare.

Earlier, in this high-stakes match, New Zealand batted first and got off to a flying start with top-class knocks from Devon Conway (47 off 31) and Rachin Ravindra (47 off 27), putting the Kiwis in command. Tim Seifert opened the scoring with a solid 30.

They were cruising at 152/3 in 17 overs at one point, but South Africa came up big at the end. The Proteas conceded only three boundaries in the final five overs, relying on disciplined bowling and smart fielding to curb the Kiwis to 180 runs. Lungi Ngidi led the way with a stunning 2 for 24, assisted by Maphaka and Muthusamy.