New Zealand v South Africa - T20 tri-series final scorecard

The Twenty20 tri-series final in Harare culminated in a thrilling encounter, as New Zealand secured a hard-fought victory over South Africa, clinching the coveted trophy after a high-octane chase. The Harare Sports Club provided a vibrant backdrop for the final showdown, with both teams vying for early-season bragging rights and crucial momentum heading into a packed international schedule. The Proteas, having won the toss, elected to bat first on a pitch that promised good value for shots but also offered assistance to the bowlers if they hit their lines.

South Africa’s innings got off to a blistering start, powered by the aggressive Quinton de Kock, who wasted no time in finding the boundaries. His rapid 48 off just 26 balls laid a solid foundation, ensuring the scoreboard ticked over at an impressive rate in the powerplay. However, New Zealand's spin duo, led by the wily Ish Sodhi, applied the brakes effectively in the middle overs, picking up crucial wickets and stifling the flow of runs. Rassie van der Dussen anchored the innings with a composed 65, navigating the challenging phase and building vital partnerships. Despite a late surge from David Miller, who smashed a quickfire 30, South Africa finished their allotted 20 overs at a competitive 178 for 6, a total that felt slightly below par given their explosive start but still formidable enough to defend.

New Zealand’s chase began with characteristic intent from Finn Allen, whose fearless approach saw him dispatching the Proteas' fast bowlers to all parts of the ground. His quick 39 provided the early impetus, but South Africa's pace spearhead, Kagiso Rabada, struck twice in quick succession, removing both openers and shifting the momentum. The Blackcaps found themselves at 75 for 3 after nine overs, with the required run rate steadily climbing. It was then that Glenn Phillips stepped up, displaying remarkable composure under pressure. His partnership with Daryl Mitchell was the cornerstone of the chase, as they meticulously rotated the strike and punished any loose deliveries, turning the tide back in New Zealand's favour. Phillips’ brilliant unbeaten 72 off 45 balls was a masterclass in T20 batting, blending power with precision.

As the match entered its final overs, the tension was palpable. New Zealand required 25 runs from the last two overs, with Phillips and Mitchell at the crease. A crucial over from Anrich Nortje, which conceded 15 runs, including a six over mid-wicket from Phillips, brought the equation down to a manageable 10 runs off the final over. With the crowd on its feet, Phillips sealed the victory with a powerful boundary off the fourth delivery of the last over, sending the Blackcaps dugout into raptures. New Zealand reached 181 for 5 with two balls to spare, securing a memorable five-wicket win and the tri-series trophy. The victory underscored New Zealand's depth and resilience in the T20 format, showcasing their ability to chase down challenging totals under immense pressure. For South Africa, it was a valuable learning experience, highlighting areas for improvement in their death bowling and middle-order consolidation.