New Zealand clinched a thrilling victory in the Zimbabwe T20I tri-series final against South Africa on Saturday (July 26).
New Zealand's fielding brilliance steals the show in dramatic final over
Chasing 181, South Africa were well placed, needing eight off eight balls to win the tri-series final. But New Zealand had other plans – much of their comeback owed to their brilliant fielding display.
Jacob Duffy closed off the 19th over cheaply, giving away just one off the last two balls to reduce the equation to seven off the last over, Matt Henry took the ball and began with a dot to the set Dewald Brevis, surprising him with a short ball. For the next three deliveries, Michael Bracewell became the linchpin of New Zealand’s fielding effort.
Bracewell first ended Brevis’ 16-ball cameo of 31 with a juggling act near the deep mid-wicket boundary off the second ball of the over. Pulling another short ball, the batter had nearly cleared the ropes, but Bracewell steadied himself to complete the catch.
Then, off the third ball, Corbin Bosch slapped a short delivery flat towards the same region, but didn't time it nearly as well as Brevis. Bracewell charged in, dove, and spilt a tough chance, but crucially limited Bosch to just two runs.
Bosch then chipped the fourth ball - this time a fuller one - towards mid-wicket again, but it fell way in front of Bracewell’s reach. He swiftly retrieved it to restrict South Africa to a single.
The equation having gone from seven off six to four off two, focus finally shifted from Bracewell.
George Linde smashed Henry toward long-on, connecting sweetly. Daryl Mitchell sprinted to his right, diving full-stretch to snatch a low catch with both hands to leave South Africa needing four off the final delivery.
Henry then bowled a slower one into the surface, and Senuran Muthusamy was unable to make any contact, giving New Zealand a three-run victory. Henry picked up 2-19 off his three overs, finishing as the leading wicket-taker (10) in the series.
Matt Henry Last over pic.twitter.com/LCXdrNIqH6
— H U S Nain (@H11USNAIN) July 26, 2025
New Zealand sweep tri-series without losing a game
New Zealand entered the tri-series final having won all four of their matches. Earlier in the series, they had defeated South Africa twice – first by 21 runs, then by seven wickets.
The final triumph was anchored by Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, who both contributed crucial 47-run knocks. Tim Seifert, the tournament's leading run-scorer (196 runs), added a brisk 30 off 28 balls to put 180-5 on the boards.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius, back to opening the batting after a failed middle-order experiment, started South Africa's chase with a 35-ball 51 with fellow opener Reeza Hendricks also contributing a crucial 31-ball 37. However, the middle order barring Brevis faltered as South Africa failed to get over the line.
Final, New Zealand vs South Africa
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