South Africa Canter To Tri-Series Final With 7-Wicket Win Over Zimbabwe

News18

20-07-2025

South Africa beat Zimbabwe by seven wickets at Harare Sports Club, securing a spot in the T20I Tri-series final against New Zealand.
South Africa secured a seven-wicket victory against hosts Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday, marking Zimbabwe's third consecutive defeat in the ongoing T20I Tri-series. This win propels the Proteas into the final, where they will compete against New Zealand on July 26.
Half-centuries from Rubin Hermann (63) and Rassie Van der Dussen (52 not out) enabled South Africa to chase down Zimbabwe's total of 144/6 in 17.2 overs, with 16 balls remaining.
Zimbabwe aimed to avoid early wickets as Wessly Madhevere (13) hit consecutive boundaries off Lungi Ngidi before being dismissed by Corbin Bosch. Clive Madande (8) managed a six off Nandre Burger before also falling to Bosch. The wicket-keeper batter has been dismissed for eight runs in all three games of the tri-series.
Skipper Sikander Raza (9) could not make a significant impact, as he was dismissed trying a slog sweep, sending the ball directly to Burger at deep backward square.
From there, Bennett and Ryan Burl (36 not out) initiated a recovery for the hosts, adding 78 runs together. Bennett started the fightback with a six and a four off Nqabayomzi Peter and continued with similar treatment to George Linde, scoring 13 runs off the 13th over.
Bennett reached his fourth T20I half-century in 38 deliveries with a six off Linde, followed by consecutive boundaries off Ndidi before being bowled by the Proteas pacer later in the 16th over.
Despite Bennett's dismissal, Zimbabwe had a chance to achieve a solid total, but Tashinga Musekiwa (0), Tony Munyonga (1), and Tinotenda Maposa (8*) couldn't contribute significantly or rotate strike effectively, leading to Burl missing an opportunity to finish strong.
Bosch impressed with his performance, taking two wickets and conceding only 16 runs in his four-over spell, restricting Zimbabwe to 144/6 in 20 overs.
In response, Zimbabwe began well with Tinotenda Maposa claiming the wickets of Lhuan-dre Pretorius (4) and Reeza Hendricks (6). The hosts had an opportunity to run out Rubin Hermann, but skipper Raza missed the stumps.
Van der Dussen and Hermann rotated the strike effectively, building their partnership. It wasn't until the 10th over that they accelerated, scoring 17 runs from Raza.
Hermann reached his 29-ball half-century with a six off Maposa, effectively taking the game away from Zimbabwe. His innings, featuring three boundaries and four sixes, ended in the 16th over when he was bowled by Richard Ngarava; however, the damage was already done.
Van der Dussen and Dewald Brevis guided the Proteas to victory, with Brevis also scoring a half-century off 40 deliveries, ultimately securing the seven-wicket win.
Brief scores:
Zimbabwe 144/6 in 20 overs (Brian Bennett 61, Ryan Burl 36 not out; Corbin Bosch 2-16) lost to South Africa 145/3 in 17.2 overs (Rubin Hermann 63, Rassie Van der Dussen 52 not out; Tinotenda Maposa 2-38) by seven wickets
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