New Zealand set their close to record T20I win against Zimbabwe

New Zealand are in flying form in the T20I tri-series in Zimbabwe as they thrashed the hosts and secured their second-fastest T20I win against any home side in the third game of the tri-series.

While New Zealand won their first match of the tri-series by 21 runs against South Africa, the Blackcaps skipper Mitchell Santner chose to field first against Zimbabwe at Harare on Friday (July 18). Zimbabwe were restricted to 120/7 in 20 overs, and New Zealand chased down the target in 13.5 overs after losing only two wickets. Winning the match by eight wickets with 37 balls remaining, New Zealand recorded their second-fastest T20I win against any home side, while their record is winning by 10 wickets with 39 balls remaining against Zimbabwe during the 2011 Harare T20I.

With this win, New Zealand are leading the points table comfortably with four points, while South Africa are in second place with two points. Meanwhile, the hosts Zimbabwe are yet to open their points account.

Matt Henry destroyed Zimbabwe batting line-up

New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry, who picked up three wickets in the match against South Africa, once again got three wickets on the Friday match against the hosts Zimbabwe. He finished the innings with the bowling figures of 4-0-26-3. Chevrons' openers Wessly Madhevere and Brian Bennett provided a stable start, but after their 37-run partnership was broken in the sixth over, the other batters struggled in the entire innings. Only the openers, Madhevere (36) and Bennett (21), managed to reach the 15-run mark in that innings.

Devon Conway led comfortable chase

Although the Blackcaps opener Tim Seifert (3) was dismissed in the second over, Devon Conway controlled the chasing with Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell to secure a comfortable win. Conway scored 59 not out off 40 balls with four fours and two sixes, while Ravindra scored 30 off 19 balls, and Mitchell scored 26 not out off 19 balls.