HARARE – Matt Henry produced a masterclass in death bowling, defending seven runs in a nerve-wracking final over, as New Zealand edged past South Africa by three runs to clinch the T20I Tri-Series title at Harare Sports Club on Saturday. Set a competitive target of 181, South Africa looked in control during the early stages of their chase, thanks to a solid 92-run opening partnership between Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Reeza Hendricks. Pretorius played a composed knock of 51 off 35 balls, hitting five boundaries and two sixes, while Hendricks struck four towering sixes in his 31-ball 37.
The breakthrough came in the 10th over when Michael Bracewell removed Pretorius. Zakary Foulkes then dismissed Hendricks, and two quick wickets saw South Africa slip from 116/1 to 131/4, leaving them needing 50 off the final 29 balls.
Dewald Brevis,the explosive right-hander, reignited South Africa’s hopes with a blistering 31 off 16 deliveries, hammering one four and three sixes. With seven required from the final over, the match was delicately poised.However, veteran seamer Matt Henry turned the tide.
He removed Brevis on the second delivery and conceded just three runs in the next two balls before dismissing George Linde (10) on the fifth delivery. With four required off the last ball, Henry outfoxed Senuran Muthusamy with a clever slower delivery to seal a dramatic three-run win.
Henry’s exceptional spell of 2 for 19 in four overs earned him the Player of the Match award. He was well supported by Jacob Duffy, Adam Milne, Zakary Foulkes, and Bracewell, all of whom claimed a wicket apiece. Earlier, New Zealand posted a formidable total of 180/5 after being put into bat. Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra were the standout performers with the bat, both scoring 47 and anchoring the innings with well-paced strokes. Tim Seifert chipped in with a quickfire 30 off 28, while Daryl Mitchell (16) and Bracewell (15*) added late flourishes to propel their side to a defendable score.
For South Africa, Lungi Ngidi impressed with figures of 2 for 24. Nandre Burger, Kwena Maphaka, and Muthusamy picked up one wicket each but couldn’t prevent their side from falling just short in the thrilling finale.
Scores in Brief
NEW ZEALAND 180-5 (Ravindra 47, Conway 47, Ngidi 2-24) beat SOUTH AFRICA 177-6 (Pretorius 51, Hendricks 37, Henry 2-19) by 3 runs.
