New Zealand Defeats Zimbabwe by 60 Runs to Remain Unbeaten in the Tri-Series

When the Harare Sports Club lit up with cricket fever on July 24, 2025, the sixth match of the Zimbabwe Twenty20 Tri-Series became a stage for New Zealand to flex their muscles against a struggling Zimbabwe side. New Zealand, brimming with confidence, chose to bat first and smashed their way to 190 for 6, powered by cracking half-centuries from Tim Seifert and Rachin Ravindra. Zimbabwe, faced with chasing 191, buckled under the pressure of New Zealand’s sharp bowling, collapsing to 130 in 18.5 overs, handing the Kiwis a thumping 60-run victory.

New Zealand Manages to Get 190 Runs

New Zealand’s call to bat first on a Harare pitch with early zip and bounce was a gutsy one, especially since teams chasing had been winning most games in the series. Openers Tim Seifert and Tim Robinson came out swinging, but Robinson’s bold start ended fast when he was caught by Tashinga Musekiwa off Richard Ngarava for 10 off 9 balls, including a six, in the third over. With the score at 19 for 1, Seifert took the reins, stitching together a massive 108-run stand with Rachin Ravindra for the second wicket. Seifert’s 75 off 45 balls was a joy to watch, mixing flair and power with 9 fours and 1 six at a strike rate of 166.66. He played with swagger, finding gaps and punishing loose balls, even surviving a dropped catch on 13 by Tony Munyonga off Tinotenda Maposa’s bowling.

Underway with the bat in Harare after a toss win for Mitch Santner!

🔄 Tim Robinson, Bevon Jacobs, Matt Henry and Ish Sodhi come in for Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Adam Milne and Jacob Duffy.

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— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) July 24, 2025

Rachin Ravindra was just as dazzling, scoring 63 off 39 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes at a strike rate of 161.53. His fifty, reached in 32 balls, featured clean cover drives and lofted shots that kept Zimbabwe’s bowlers on edge. The duo pushed New Zealand to 50 runs in 5.3 overs and 100 in 10.6 overs, their second-wicket partnership piling on 100 runs in 63 balls. Zimbabwe’s bowlers were left scrambling, with Trevor Gwandu taking the most punishment, leaking 51 runs in 4 overs at an economy of 12.75. Tinotenda Maposa finally broke through in the 14th over, getting Ravindra caught by Sikandar Raza and Mark Chapman caught by Wellington Masakadza for a duck, leaving New Zealand at 127 for 3.

Seifert’s knock ended in the 17th over when he was caught by Clive Madande off Ngarava for 75, followed by Bevon Jacobs, who fell for a two-ball duck, also to Ngarava. Captain Mitchell Santner chipped in with 7 off 7 balls before being caught by Madande off Ngarava in the 19th over, with the score at 169 for 6. Michael Bracewell’s unbeaten 26 off 16 balls, with 2 fours and 1 six, gave New Zealand a late kick, lifting them to 190 for 6. Extras added 8 runs, with 7 wides and 1 no-ball. Richard Ngarava was Zimbabwe’s best bowler, finishing with a tidy 4 for 34 in 4 overs, but others struggled. Maposa grabbed 2 for 33 in 4 overs, while Gwandu and Wellington Masakadza, who gave away 23 runs in 2 overs at an economy of 11.50, couldn’t stop the flow. New Zealand’s run rate of 9.50 set a tough target on a pitch where 145 to 160 was seen as a solid score, giving their bowlers a great platform to defend.

Runs on the board! A 108-run partnership between Rachin Ravindra (63) and Tim Seifert (75) setting the foundation for our highest total in the Tri-Series so far.

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— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) July 24, 2025

The innings showed off New Zealand’s batting depth and smarts. Seifert and Ravindra’s bold yet clever batting, paired with Bracewell’s late spark, ensured a total that put Zimbabwe in a bind. Even with a few quick wickets, the Kiwis kept the scoreboard ticking, making the most of the batting-friendly conditions to set up a steep chase for the hosts. Their knack for keeping the momentum going despite setbacks was a clear sign of their strength, paving the way for their bowlers to take over.

Zimbabwe Struggles to Make a Mark in the Chase

Chasing 191 was always going to be a tall order for Zimbabwe against New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack. The Harare pitch, now offering a bit of turn, played right into the hands of New Zealand’s spinners, especially Ish Sodhi, who ran riot through the top order. Zimbabwe’s innings got off to a shaky start, with Brian Bennett falling for 1 off 4 balls, caught by Bevon Jacobs off Sodhi in the third over. Dion Myers showed some grit, scoring 22 off 18 balls with 4 fours, but he was bowled by Sodhi in the fifth over. Clive Madande struggled, managing just 2 off 7 balls before Sodhi struck again, leaving Zimbabwe at 28 for 3.

Zimbabwe are 76/5 after 11 overs

(Tony Munyonga 20*, Tashinga Musekiwa 10*), need 115 runs in 54 balls

📝: https://t.co/NaiScANcCF #ExperienceZimbabwe #T20ITriSeries #ZIMvNZ pic.twitter.com/tCB0uYrbST

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) July 24, 2025

Captain Sikandar Raza, known for his big shots, scored a quick 9 off 5 balls with a four but was trapped lbw by Matt Henry in the sixth over. Ryan Burl’s 5 off 5 balls, including a four, ended with a caught-and-bowled dismissal by Michael Bracewell, leaving Zimbabwe in a mess at 44 for 5 after 7.4 overs. Tony Munyonga and Tashinga Musekiwa gave Zimbabwe a glimmer of hope with a 51-run stand for the sixth wicket. Munyonga played a gutsy knock, scoring 40 off 30 balls with 2 fours and 3 sixes, keeping the fight alive for a bit.

Musekiwa added 21 off 21 balls with a four, but their partnership ended when Munyonga was caught by Matt Henry off Sodhi in the 14th over, with the score at 95. Wellington Masakadza managed 2 off 5 balls before being bowled by Zakary Foulkes in the 16th over. Musekiwa fell to Will O’Rourke, caught by Bracewell, in the 17th over, leaving Zimbabwe at 111 for 8. Richard Ngarava smashed a six in his 6 off 4 balls but was bowled by Henry in the 18th over. Trevor Gwandu’s 2 off 5 balls ended with a run-out in the 19th over, as Zimbabwe folded for 130 in 18.5 overs.

A career-best 4-wicket haul from Ish Sodhi (4-12) saw New Zealand claim a 60-run win in the final round-robin match of the Tri-Series.

Scorecard | https://t.co/0hMDEom5eE
Highlights will be available at Three📺
📷 = Zimbabwe Cricket #ZIMvNZ #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/rEgJKl8ixH

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) July 24, 2025

New Zealand’s bowlers were relentless, with Ish Sodhi leading the charge, finishing with a brilliant 4 for 12 in 4 overs at an economy of 3.00, earning him the Player of the Match award. Matt Henry took 2 for 34 in 3 overs, Zakary Foulkes claimed 1 for 14 in 3.5 overs at an economy of 3.65, and Will O’Rourke grabbed 1 for 19 in 3 overs. Michael Bracewell, with 2 overs for 16 runs and 1 wicket, and Mitchell Santner, with 3 overs for 30 runs at an economy of 10.00, chipped in. Extras added 12 runs, with 4 byes, 1 leg bye, 6 wides, and 1 no-ball. Zimbabwe’s collapse, with only three batsmen reaching double figures, laid bare their struggles against a tight bowling unit.

TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game

Tim Seifert’s cracking 75 off 45 balls was the Magic Moment of the Day on July 24, 2025, at Harare Sports Club. His innings, loaded with 9 fours and 1 six at a strike rate of 166.66, set the stage for New Zealand’s hefty 190 for 6. Surviving a dropped catch on 13 by Tony Munyonga off Tinotenda Maposa, Seifert took charge with clean drives and clever shots, showing his T20 flair. His 108-run stand with Rachin Ravindra, including a 33-ball fifty, ripped apart Zimbabwe’s bowling, putting them on the back foot early.

The 108-run partnership is broken by Tinotenda Maposa!

Rachin Ravindra departs for 63.

New Zealand are 127/2

📝: https://t.co/NaiScANcCF #ExperienceZimbabwe #T20ITriSeries #ZIMvNZ pic.twitter.com/it38aYJbsx

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) July 24, 2025

Seifert’s blend of aggression and smart play on a lively pitch made his knock the standout moment, giving New Zealand a total that proved too much for Zimbabwe. His ability to keep the scoreboard moving and dominate the attack set the tone for the Kiwis’ commanding show, making this moment the highlight of the match.

TCNI’s Hero of the Day

Ish Sodhi was named TCNI’s Hero of the Day for his sensational 4 for 12 in 4 overs on July 24, 2025, at Harare Sports Club. His spell, bowled with a stingy economy of 3.00, tore through Zimbabwe’s batting lineup, dismissing Brian Bennett, Dion Myers, Clive Madande, and Tony Munyonga. Sodhi’s wickets left Zimbabwe reeling at 44 for 5 after 7.4 overs, pretty much ending their hopes of chasing 191. His clever mix of googlies and sliders on a pitch offering turn was unplayable, earning him the Player of the Match award.

Ish Sodhi! 😍 Today's career-best 4-12 from Ish Sodhi saw him claim his 150th T20I wicket for New Zealand, becoming just the 2nd BLACKCAP to reach the feat, after Tim Southee (164 T20I wickets). #ZIMvNZ #CricketNation 📷 = @photosportnz pic.twitter.com/dpTJRbFPL6

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) July 24, 2025

Sodhi’s knack for striking at key moments, especially in the powerplay, swung the game firmly in New Zealand’s favour and his control and aggression stood out among a strong bowling unit, securing a 60-run victory. Sodhi’s performance was the game-changer, as he consistently outsmarted Zimbabwe’s batsmen, helping New Zealand keep their perfect record in the series.