From a rough start, New Zealand managed a solid win in their first outing in the T20I tri-series in Zimbabwe, as they defeated South Africa by 21 runs to earn two points.

After South Africa chose to field first, New Zealand scored 173/5 in 20 overs. In reply, Proteas were all out for 152 runs, as the Blackcaps recorded their second successful defending against South Africa in T20I cricket.

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Tim Robinson and Bevan Jacobs set a record partnership after early falls

Although the New Zealand opener Tim Seifert had a good start, once he was dismissed for 22 runs off 16 balls (four fours) in the third over, the Blackcaps batting faced heat from the Proteas bowling line-up. New Zealand were down to 70/5 before the completion of the 10th over, as all four other batters failed to reach double-digit scores.

However, Tim Robinson and the T20I debutant Bevon Jacobs controlled the second half of the innings strongly, as they set up the second-highest sixth-wicket partnership in T20I history with 103 runs for the unbroken sixth wicket. The record partnership for the sixth wicket is also with New Zealand's name, as Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell set up the 105-run partnership against Sri Lanka during the 2024 Mount Maunganui T20I. 

Robinson recorded his second T20I half-century in 42 balls and scored 75 not out off 57 balls with six fours and three sixes. Meanwhile, the T20I debutant Jacobs scored 44 not out off 30 balls with one four and three sixes. Among South African bowlers, only Kwena Mphaka managed more than one wicket (2/38) in that innings. 

South Africa were never strong at chasing

In reply, South Africa were battling at 50/2 at the end of the powerplay, and soon down to 62/5 in the ninth over. Dewald Brevis once again shone with his bat, while George Linde also produced a fightback. With the help of one four and three sixes, Brevis scored 35 off 18 balls. In the meantime, Linde scored 30 off 20 balls with one four and two sixes. Finally, Gerald Coetzee's 17 runs weren't enough for the Proteas. 

Among the New Zealand bowlers, Matt Henry (3/34) and Jacob Duffy (3/20) both picked up two wickets each. Also, Ish Sodhi took two wickets (2/34) and captain Mitchell Santner had a wicket (1/35).

The Dubai Capitals have officially confirmed their participation in the much-awaited 2025 ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL), which is set to be held from 10 to 18 July at Guyana National Stadium in Providence. Comprising 11 engaging T20 encounters, the GSL will unite five international franchises for a high-octane tournament in the midst of the Caribbean.

Entering into the competition as the current International League T20 (ILT20) champions, the Dubai Capitals bring strong momentum to the GSL. Earlier this year, they won their first ILT20 title with a commanding performance in the final against the Desert Vipers, capitalizing on their runner-up position in 2024.

The Dubai Capitals are owned by GMR Sports, the sports division of the GMR Group, which is a significant global contender in sports and infrastructure. GMR Sports has teams established in India, the UAE, USA, and the UK, and continues to grow franchise cricket around the world. The Dubai Capitals competing in the GSL as an investment in elite sporting events and a move to further the global reach of cricket.

Strong Backing and Global Presence

The addition of the Dubai Capitals brings further star power and competitive edge to the tournament. Sir Clive Lloyd, Chairman of the Guyana Global Super League, shared his excitement: “We’re thrilled to welcome the Dubai Capitals to Guyana for this year’s tournament. As ILT20 champions, they bring a wealth of talent and experience that will elevate the competition. We’re sure both the team and their supporters will enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and warm hospitality that Guyana is known for.”

See Also: GSL 2025: Central Stags announce their squad for upcoming season

Satyam Trivedi, CEO of GMR Sports, added, “We’re excited to see the Dubai Capitals take the field on another major international stage. Our mission at GMR Sports has always been to nurture talent and foster cross-cultural connections through cricket. The GSL is a fantastic platform to do just that, and we’re proud to be part of it.”

Alongside Dubai Capitals, other participating franchises in the 2025 GSL are the Central Stags (New Zealand), Guyana Amazon Warriors (West Indies), Hobart Hurricanes XI (Australia), and Rangpur Riders (Bangladesh).

The Dubai Capitals 2025 GSL team consists of:
Sediqullah Atal, Rovman Powell, Kadeem Alleyne, Jordan Ethan Zahir Johnson, Dominic Conneil Drakes, Bevon Jacobs, Zeeshan Naseer, Alishan Sharafu, Aryaman Varma, Kaleem Sana Rehman, Said Shah, and Farhan Khan.

The Antigua & Barbuda Falcons have announced a power-packed lineup for the 2025 Caribbean Premier League (CPL), gearing up for their inaugural season in the league. With the aim of making a big impression to start with, the franchise has blended experienced internationals along with talented young players through savvy signings and the draft held on 18 June. Cricket lovers worldwide tuned in to watch the new team take shape during the televised draft show.

Leading the charge for the Falcons is a robust overseas contingent featuring Bevon Jacobs (New Zealand), Naveen ul Haq and Allah Ghazanfar (Afghanistan), Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh), and Imad Wasim (Pakistan). These foreign superstars are likely to bring firepower and depth to the batting and bowling lineups. The CPL 2025 tournament will begin on 14 August and extend through to 21 September, with games staged in different Caribbean countries and concluding with the final event in Guyana.

Adding to the tournament’s developmental goals, Falcons also selected budding local talent in the last three rounds of the draft, which were allocated for players from the West Indies Breakout League. With this regulation requiring each game to have at least one such player, the Falcons are well-positioned to present burgeoning Caribbean players along with international veterans.

See Also: CPL 2025: Trinbago Knight Riders announce their squad for upcoming season

Antigua & Barbuda Falcons Squad for CPL 2025

The Antigua & Barbuda Falcons 2025 team comprises Imad Wasim, Shakib Al Hasan, Fabian Allen, Naveen ul Haq, Obed McCoy, Justin Greaves, Bevon Jacobs, Jayden Seales, Allah Ghazanfar, Rahkeem Cornwall, Odean Smith, Jewel Andrew, Shamar Springer, Amir Jangoo, Karima Gore, Kevin Wickham, and Joshua James.

🚨 CPL Update

Antigua & Barbuda Falcons have announced their squad for CPL 2025. They've signed following overseas players :

Bevon Jacobs 🇳🇿
Naveen ul Haq 🇦🇫
Allah Ghazanfar 🇦🇫
Shakib Al Hasan 🇧🇩
Imad Wasim 🇵🇰#CPL2025 pic.twitter.com/dX18Deikn8

— T20 Franchise Rosters (Men) (@t20tracker) June 18, 2025

Indian captain Rohit Sharma has been reported injured during the last game against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Mumbai Indians played their last against Lucknow Super Giants where LSG batting first scored 204 runs. In reply, MI was too close to chase the target and Surya Kumar's 62 runs were not enough to pull the target as Tilak Verma added enough pressure to the game for other upcoming batsmen. 
Rohit Sharma's campaign didn't start with a good start he was out early against Chennai Super Kings where he scored 0. In the second match against GT he scored just 8 runs, In the third game against Kolkata he played a ball game where he scored 13 runs in 12 balls. It gives a feeling either Rohit Sharma is really out of form or out of runs, because a few days ago in the Champions Trophy final the same man played an innings of 76 runs and helped Indio clinch their third Champions Trophy 

Read More: IPL 2025: Rajasthan Royals Playing 11 vs Punjab Kings
Mumbai Indians Position On Worst Course
Rohit Sharma injured his knee during the net sessions before the Lucknow match and stated that he would be on the doctor's advice to get monitored. Team coach Mahela Jayawardene said tho got hit on the knee just in the IT band, he tried to bat yesterday and could not put any weight on it. Again, he came and did a fitness test early today to try and it was discomfort for him to put weight on that, so he felt it was 100% for him to play this game. That's why we thought we would give him a few more days to try and get through that. Unfortunately, what happened in the nets.

It's been clear that Rohit Sharma will take time to recover himself. He has mentioned early about his weight gains though he is been taking measures but gives a temporary solution. Now it's high time to think about Mumbai Indians with whom they can fit the opening slot they have a variety of options but the challenge is who will be fit in the squad which has one position left. 
3 Possible Contenders Who Can Replace Rohit Sharma
1 Raj Angad Bawa
 Raj Angad Bawa is a dynamic left-hand batsman who can be used as an opener his skill set talks him about a lot. In the under-19 World Cup 2022, his role was imperial for the Indian team. He scored 150-plus runs against Uganda, as a young player the opening slot would be suitable for him to adopt the fast-paced nature of the game. Being a young cricketer he can give his long service to the Mumbai franchise which can help in the development of the player. 
2. Shrijit Krishnan
 Srijith Krishnan is also a left-hand explosive batsman who can give an impressive start to the team. His recent Ranji Trophy number speaks a lot about his calibre. He has scored a brilliant century against Jharkhand and a half-century in Ranji Final. He scored a huge amount of runs in the Karnataka T20 league where he was known to common people. He can be adjacent to the spot for being. 
Bevon Jacobs
 Bevon Jacobs is a New Zealand player who plays the role of the right-hand batsman, who has a huge amount of domestic circuit experience and T20 experience, In the absence of Rohit Sharma he can be tried as an opener who has great numbers batting as up the order which can provide stability to their game. 

5. Kwena Maphaka (Rajasthan Royals)

Kwena Maphaka is getting a fresh start in the IPL2025 after being picked by Rajasthan Royals for INR 1.5 crore. Last season, he was with Mumbai Indians but didn’t have a great season, playing only two matches and taking just one wicket while conceding 89 runs. His economy rate of 14.83 was high, which might be why he didn’t get more chances in the IPL 2024.

After that, Maphaka has played very well in SA20, where he plays for Paarl Royals. His best deliveries are the ones he pitches on a back-of-a-length, making life difficult for batters in SA20. With his hard work and the right guidance, he has the talent to make a mark in the IPL. This move to Rajasthan Royals gives him a fresh opportunity to prove himself again.

4. Bevon Jacobs (Mumbai Indians)

Bevon Jacobs, the only overseas player on this list, is a hard-hitting batter from South Africa with some experience in New Zealand’s domestic cricket. Before the auction, he had played just six T20 matches, but Mumbai Indians saw his potential and signed him for ₹20 lakh.

Since then, he has played 20 T20 games, scoring 423 runs at an average of 32.53 and a strike rate of over 148. With two fifties and a top score of 90*, he is a powerful hitter that MI will be excited to use in the upcoming season.

3. C Andre Siddarth (Chennai Super Kings)

C Andre Siddarth comes from a cricketing family and is the nephew of Tamil Nadu’s experienced player S Sharath. He hasn’t played a T20 match yet, but his performances in first-class cricket have already made people take notice.

At just 18, he was one of Tamil Nadu’s standout players in the Ranji Trophy, scoring 612 runs in 12 innings at an average of 68.00, with a century and five fifties. Chennai Super Kings have a history of developing young talent, and Siddarth will be hoping to follow that path in IPL 2025.

ALSO READ: Shardul Thakur Likely to Replace Mohsin Khan in LSG for IPL 2025

2. Robin Minz (Mumbai Indians)

Robin Minz was supposed to make his IPL debut in 2024 with Gujarat Titans, but a road accident ruled him out of the season. Even though he couldn’t play, his talent was clear, and Mumbai Indians picked him up for ₹65 lakh more than twice his base price of ₹30 lakh.

The wicketkeeper-batter from Jharkhand is known for his power-hitting, with a strike rate of 181 in T20s, though he has only played a few matchesin first-class . He has already impressed in domestic cricket, and MI’s belief in him shows they see him as a potential game-changer this IPL season.

1.Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Rajasthan Royals)

Biggest surprises of the IPL 2025 auction was Rajasthan Royals picking up 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi for ₹1.1 crore. Born in 2011, he is now the youngest player in IPL history.

Even at such a young age, the left-handed batter has already made a strong impression in youth cricket in the U-19 Tournament. He smashed a 58-ball century for India U-19 against Australia and he was the top scorer in the ACC U-19 Asia Cup, scoring 176 runs in five matches. He even made his first-class debut for Bihar when he was just 12 years old. Now, all eyes will be on him as Rajasthan Royals give him a chance to shine on the big stage like IPL.