Last Updated:July 26, 2025, 22:54 IST
Matt Henry’s two wickets in the final over led New Zealand to a three-run victory over South Africa in the Zimbabwe T20 tri-series final.
New Zealand pose with the tri-series trophy. (@BLACKCAPS/X)
Matt Henry took two wickets in the final over, leading New Zealand to a three-run victory over South Africa in the final of the Zimbabwe T20 international tri-series at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
Chasing New Zealand’s total of 180 for five, South Africa were close to winning when Dewald Brevis scored 15 runs, including two sixes, off the penultimate over bowled by Zakary Foulkes.
South Africa needed seven runs off the last over.
It appeared that Brevis might have hit another six off the second ball, but Michael Bracewell, positioned at deep midwicket, held the high hit and calmly tossed the ball up before stepping over the rope and then stepping back to complete the catch.
Three runs were scored off the next two balls before Daryl Mitchell took a diving catch at long-on to dismiss George Linde. Henry then finished the match with a dot ball.
Fast bowler Henry was named both player of the match and player of the tournament after finishing as the leading wicket-taker with ten wickets.
“South Africa got off to a flier,” Henry remarked about South Africa’s opening stand of 92 between Lhuan-dre Pretorius (51) and Reeza Hendricks (37).
“It’s a credit to our team for staying in the fight, knowing wickets can change things.”
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner also commended his players for their resilience on what he described as the best pitch for batting in the tournament.
“Guys stepped up on different occasions throughout this tri-series,” said Santner.
“There were a lot of challenges with the ball today but the guys were ready and really clear on how they wanted to operate.”
South African captain Rassie van der Dussen expressed pride in how a young team, missing several key players, had competed.
“A centimetre more and the result would have been different,” he said.
Tim Seifert (30) and Devon Conway (47) put on 75 runs for New Zealand’s first wicket, and Rachin Ravindra contributed a hard-hit 47 off 27 balls before South Africa’s tactic of bowling low full tosses kept the total in check towards the end of the innings.
South Africa also lost momentum after their fast start before Brevis hit 31 off 16 balls, including three sixes – which nearly became four.
A lengthy review by the television umpire was required to determine if Bracewell had stepped on the boundary rope while still holding the ball.
(With AFP Inputs)
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