In a thrilling encounter on July 16, 2025, at the Harare Sports Club, New Zealand defeated South Africa by 21 runs in the second match of the Zimbabwe T20 Tri-Series.
The duo stitched a record-breaking 103-run partnership for the sixth wicket, turning the tide of the match completely.
South Africa, in reply, started poorly and never quite recovered. , taking three wickets each and ensuring that the Proteas never got any real momentum.
South Africa’s middle ord. The Proteas were bowled out for 152, falling well short of the target.e middle overs, not allowing easy runs.
New Zealand’s Batting:
- Early Trouble: NZ were in deep trouble at 70/5, with top-order batters like Seifert, Chapman, and Allen back in the dugout early.
- Heroic Partnership: Robinson and Jacobs stitched a record sixth-wicket stand of 103 runs, applying calm under pressure — the duo capitalized on SA’s inconsistent lengths and targeted the leg-side boundary smartly.
South Africa’s Bowling:
- Positive Start: Lutho Sipamla and Ottniel Baartman bowled with pace and purpose early on.
- Missed Chances: Dropped catches and misfields at crucial moments let NZ off the hook — a factor that cost SA the match.
NZ’s Bowling Excellence:
- Henry & Duffy: Used the two-paced Harare wicket beautifully — mixing cutters, slower balls, and hard-length deliveries.
- Santner & Sodhi: Controlled the middle overs, forcing risky shots with disciplined lines.
Top-order Collapse: Early loss of wickets left SA reeling at 62/5.
From strategic bowling changes to calm batting under pressure, the Kiwis looked like the more complete side.
Fan reactions were quick and passionate, with many praising Tim Robinson’s maturity and Bevon Jacobs’ poise. Social media buzzed with comments.
Cricket forums and Reddit threads lit up with discussions around New Zealand’s bench strength and how South Africa continues to struggle with inconsistency in the shorter format.
As the tri-series continues, this victory gives New Zealand an early advantage and much-needed momentum.fans, this m
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