Zimbabwe T20I Tri-Series 2025, Final: Matt Henry emerges hero in final-ball thriller as New Zealand clinch tri-series

Published - 26 Jul 2025, 21:34 IST | Updated - 26 Jul 2025, 21:51 IST

New Zealand emerged victorious by a narrow three-run margin against South Africa to clinch the final of the Zimbabwe T20I Tri-Series 2025 at the Harare Sports Club. This was the third time the Kiwis prevailed over South Africa in the span of the past couple of weeks after two wins during the round-robin stage.

The Black Caps got off to a solid start in the powerplay, stroking 52 off it. Lungi Ngidi was quite economical with his first two overs, conceding only 13 runs. Tim Seifert opened his team's six-hitting account with a lap over the fine leg fence but his 28-ball struggle resulted in only 30 runs as he was caught by Rassie van der Dussen in the ninth over.

Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra took 15 runs off Nandre Burger's second over to get the team total to 100 at the end of the 11th over before Conway perished to Lungi Ngidi for 47 off 31. Ngidi secured his second wicket as he got Ravindra caught for 47 off 27, ending up with figures of 2/24. New Zealand eventually got to 180/5 at the end of their 20 overs.

Coming to the chase, South Africa started off relatively slower. Lhuan-dre Pretorius scored only 22 runs off 21 balls in the powerplay as there were a couple of boundary-less overs inside the first six. Pretorius' opening partner Reeza Hendricks tried to up the ante as the next three overs provided a much-needed boost to the Rassie van der Dussen-led unit.

However, the tide turned as Michael Bracewell got the perfect revenge over Pretorius (51 off 35) by dismissing him moments after the southpaw clubbed the ball for a six to get to his maiden T20I fifty. Hendricks (37 off 31) bit the dust to fall to Zakary Foulkes in his second over while van der Dussen's fell for an underwhelming 18 (17), leaving his team with 50 to get off 30 balls.

By the time Adam Milne bowled out, the equation reduced to 37 off 18. South Africa eventually required only seven off the final over with Matt Henry entrusted with the responsibility to defend. He bowled a top-notch over, conceding only three runs while picking up two wickets to grant his team a thrilling win.