Zimbabwe vs New Zealand | 6th T20I | 24 July | Harare Sports Club | 1pm (CAT)
The group stage of the T20I tri-series wraps up in Harare, where hosts Zimbabwe face an in-form New Zealand side that’s already booked their spot in the final against South Africa. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, are out of contention and playing for pride in front of their home fans.
New Zealand Dominance
The Black Caps have never lost a T20I to Zimbabwe and remain unbeaten in this series. Pacers Jacob Duffy and Matt Henry have been standout performers, with Henry leading the wicket charts and Duffy boasting the second-best economy rate. Tim Seifert, fresh off a Player-of-the-Match performance against South Africa, is currently the top-ranked batter in this tournament.
Zimbabwe’s Challenge
For Zimbabwe, the focus will be on growth and individual performances. Brian Bennett has been a bright spark — the leading run-scorer in the tournament so far with 112 runs from three knocks. At just 21, he’s shown maturity despite batting in a struggling top order.
Venue: Harare Sports Club
- Avg 1st innings score: 151
- Teams batting first have won 35 of 63 T20Is
- NZ are unbeaten at this venue
- Highest successful chase: 194/5 (Bangladesh, 2021)
- Weather: Clear skies, low 20s, minimal breeze — ideal for cricket
Form Guide
Zimbabwe: L, L, L, NR, W
New Zealand: W, W, W, W, W
Key Players
- Brian Bennett (ZIM): Leads the run tally despite low team scores. Expect him to anchor the innings again.
- Jacob Duffy (NZ): The No. 1 T20I bowler globally and consistent strike threat. Could be rested, but if he plays, he’ll be crucial.
Prediction:
New Zealand to win. They’ll want to preserve their unbeaten record heading into the final, and their depth and form make them strong favourites. For Zimbabwe, a win would boost morale, but it looks a tall task.