New Zealand Clinches Tri-Series League Stage, Set to Clash with South Africa in Final

HARARE: New Zealand maintained their unblemished record in the tri-series league stage, securing a resounding 60-run victory against Zimbabwe. The win, propelled by rapid half-centuries from Tim Seifert and Rachin Ravindra, coupled with Ish Sodhi’s remarkable four-wicket haul, sets the stage for a final showdown against South Africa on Saturday at the Harare Sports Club.

Opting to bat first, New Zealand’s captain Mitchell Santner saw his team amass a formidable 190/6 in their allotted 20 overs.

However, the innings commenced with an early setback as Richard Ngarava dismissed Tim Robinson (10) in the third over, with the score at 19.

Subsequently, Ravindra joined Seifert, and together they forged a dominant 108-run partnership from 68 balls, with both batsmen reaching their half-centuries.

The pivotal partnership was disrupted in the 14th over by Tinotenda Maposa, who also dismissed Mark Chapman for a duck.

Ravindra’s impressive innings yielded 63 runs off 39 deliveries, including seven boundaries and two sixes.

Seifert then contributed to a brief 26-run stand for the fourth wicket with Michael Bracewell before being dismissed by Ngarava in the 17th over.

He emerged as New Zealand’s leading scorer with 75 runs from 45 balls, punctuated by 10 boundaries, including a six.

New Zealand faced another setback in the same over as Ngarava dismissed Bevon Jacobs for a duck.

The left-arm pacer concluded his spell with impressive figures of 4/34 in four overs.

Meanwhile, Michael Bracewell provided a solid finish for New Zealand, remaining unbeaten with 26 runs off 16 balls, which included two fours and a six.

Aside from Ngarava, Maposa claimed two wickets for 33 runs in his four overs.

In pursuit of the imposing 191-run target, Zimbabwe’s batting lineup faltered, managing only 130 runs in 18.5 overs, resulting in a 60-run defeat.

Tony Munyonga offered some resistance with a 40-run innings from 30 balls, while Dion Myers (22) and Tashinga Musekiwa (21) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures.

Ish Sodhi stood out as New Zealand’s premier bowler, securing four wickets for a mere 12 runs in his four overs, followed by Matt Henry with two wickets, while Will O’Rourke, Zakary Foulkes, and Bracewell each took one.

The 60-run victory solidified New Zealand’s unblemished league-stage performance, securing the top spot with eight points from four matches, ahead of second-placed South Africa, who they will face in the final on Saturday at the same venue.