The Zimbabwe vs New Zealand in the 3rd T20I was packed with excitement. It was played on July 18, 2025, at the Harare Sports Club. New Zealand decided to bowl. This decision worked perfectly for them, as their bowlers performed brilliantly. Let’s take a closer look at how the game unfolded.
To kick things off, Zimbabwe had a solid start. Wesley Madhevere and Brian Bennett started strong, putting together a reliable partnership that brought in 37 runs during those vital early overs. Madhevere showcased some impressive shots, finishing with 36 runs off 32 balls. Bennett also looked confident and made 21 runs.
However, things changed quickly. After Bennett got out, the wickets started falling one after another. Despite having wickets in hand, Zimbabwe could not accelerate their innings. As a result, they could only score 120 runs for 7 wickets in 20 overs. This was a below-par total on a good batting pitch.
On the other hand, New Zealand’s bowlers were on point. Matt Henry was the star performer. He picked up 3 wickets for just 26 runs. He broke the opening partnership and kept the pressure on.
Along with him, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Michael Bracewell, and Rachin Ravindra also took one wicket each. Ravindra was particularly impressive, keeping it tight and only conceding 10 runs over 3 overs. Overall, New Zealand bowled with remarkable discipline, never letting Zimbabwe find their rhythm or score freely at any point.
When New Zealand came out to bat, they had to chase only 121 runs. They lost opener Tim Seifert early for just 3 runs. But after that, Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra took control of the game.
They built a strong partnership of 59 runs. Ravindra was on fire, scoring 30 runs off just 19 balls. Conway, on the other hand, played a mature and steady innings. He did not get out on 59 runs off 40 balls.
Later, Daryl Mitchell joined Conway and scored an unbeaten 26 runs. Together, they completed the chase comfortably in just 13.5 overs, with 8 wickets in hand and 37 balls to spare.
There’s no question about it, Devon Conway truly earned the title of Player of the Match. His unbeaten half-century made the chase look very easy. He timed the ball well and played with confidence throughout the innings.
Match Scorecard:
| Team | Score | Top Performers |
| Zimbabwe | 120/7 (20 overs) | Madhevere 36* |
| New Zealand | 122/2 (13.5 overs) | Conway 59* |
| Result | NZ won by 8 wickets | |
With this win, New Zealand stayed unbeaten in the T20I Tri-Series. They now have 2 wins from 2 matches. Their performance in both games has been solid. In the meantime, Zimbabwe is still on the hunt for its first victory in the series. Their recent loss has made it even tougher for them to secure a spot in the final. They will need to win their upcoming games against South Africa and New Zealand to stay in the race.
Looking ahead, Zimbabwe will face South Africa in their next match. New Zealand will also be facing off against South Africa. These games will decide who goes to the final.
In conclusion, the Zimbabwe vs New Zealand 3rd T20I showed New Zealand’s strength and teamwork. From tight bowling to smart batting, they dominated the game. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, will need to work hard to bounce back in the next match.
