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. 

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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. 

ZIM vs NZ Match Preview

New Zealand began strong with a 21-run victory over South Africa. They will now face the hosts in the third match of the tri-series at the Harare Sports Club in Harare. Zimbabwe, on the contrary, will be hoping for an impressive comeback with the bat. Skipper Sikandar Raza was impressive with the bat, but others around him failed to live up to the occasion as Zimbabwe scored 141 runs batting first against South Africa. Wessly Madhevere, a batting all-rounder, has struggled at the top level and will be expected to provide a stronger start for the hosts.

ZIM vs NZ Match Details

Zimbabwe vs New Zealand – 3rd Match, Zimbabwe T20I Tri-Series, 2025

Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare

Date & Time: 18th July 2025 at 04:30 PM IST 

Live Streaming: FanCode

ZIM vs NZ Venue Stats 

ZIM vs NZ Pitch Report

It is an ideal bowling pitch. It is a haven for both batters and bowlers because it provides balance throughout all innings.

ZIM vs NZ Weather Report

The weather in Derby is expected to remain cloudy on match day, with conditions ranging from 9 to 22 degrees Celsius 

ZIM vs NZ Last Five Matches

ZIM vs NZ Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

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ZIM vs NZ Probable Playing XIs:

New Zealand Probable Playing XIs

Tim Seifert (wk), Devon Conway, Tim Robinson, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Hay, Bevon Jacobs, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy

Zimbabwe Probable Playing XIs

Brian Bennett, Wessly Madhevere, Clive Madande (wk), Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Tashinga Musekiwa, Tony Munyonga, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu

Topmost Picks for ZIM vs NZ Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – Zimbabwe

• Sikandar Raza – Sikandar Raza played a captain's knock at number four, scoring 54 off 38 balls in their recent game against South Africa.
• Blessing Muzarabani – Blessing Muzarabani took 3 wickets and ten runs in the first game. He now has eight wickets in his previous 3 T20Is at an economy rate of 5.6.

Top Picks – New Zealand

• Tim Seifert – Tim Seifert earned 249 runs in a 5 match series versus Pakistan at a strike rate of over 200.
• Will O'Rourke –  Will O'Rourke has 21 wickets in the last nine T20Is at an economy rate of six.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for ZIM vs NZ Dream11 Team:

Tim Seifert, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Reeza Hendricks, Rachin Ravindra(C), Rassie van der Dussen, George Linde(VC), Corbin Bosch, Mitchell Bracewell, Will O'Rourke, Matt Henry, Nandre Burger

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert

Vice-captain – George Linde, Rassie van der Dussen 

Wicketkeeper – Tim Seifert

ZIM vs NZ Probable Winners:

New Zealand leads the contest. They made a deliberate decision to give their less skilled rivals a chance in this tournament, and they delivered a game-winning performance. Zimbabwe's main strength will be its bowling attack. However, they lack dependable batting players, which is where they fall short in this contest. Considering the team combination, New Zealand is expected to win this match.

Zimbabwe announced a 16-man squad for the upcoming T20I tri-nation series involving New Zealand and South Africa starting on July 14 and concluding on July 26, 2025. The matches of the tournament will be arranged at Harare Sports Club. Experienced all-rounder Sikandar Raza was assigned to lead the team in the series.

The Zimbabwe cricket squad selected is maintaining a balance between experience and emerging players, with multiple cricketers ready to mark their presence after recovering from injury. In a press release, the governing body of Zimbabwe cricket informed, "Left-arm pacer Richard Ngarava, who had been sidelined with a lower-back injury, is back to bolster the bowling attack alongside fellow seamer Blessing Muzarabani. Young all-rounder Brian Bennett, who missed part of the recent Test series against South Africa in Bulawayo due to a concussion, has also been cleared and is available for action."

 The team management also recalled some of their exciting talents who did a great job during their series against Ireland. Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, and Tashinga Musekiwa have made a comeback in the national side. Wicketkeeper-batter Tafadzwa Tsiga, left-arm paceman Newman Nyamhuri, and leg-spinner Vincent Masekesa are the three uncapped players who found their place in the team. The tournament will be played in a round robin format; every team will face each other twice before getting to the final match of the tournament.

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Zimbabwe will open their campaign on 14 July against South Africa, before facing New Zealand on 18 July. They are set to play South Africa again on 20 July before their last group fixture against New Zealand on 24 July. The final will be played on 26 July.

Zimbabwe squad for T20I Tri-Series: 

Sikandar Raza (Captain), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tinotenda Maposa, Wellington Masakadza, Vincent Masekesa, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Tafadzwa Tsiga. 

New Zealand have announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. Fast bowler Matt Fisher, who has used his raw pace to pick up 51 first-class wickets in 25 innings at an average of 24.11, has earned his maiden call-up for the series. Their former captain, Kane Williamson, however, remains unavailable for the series. 

Williamson will feature on the Hundred for the London Spirit, having signed a deal with Middlesex. The off-spin bowling all-rounder, Michael Bracewell, who is currently in the USA for the MLC 2025, will also not make his trip to the country. For him, it’s the same issue, given that he signed a deal with the Southern Brave.

Fast bowlers Kyle Jamieson and Ben Sears will also not be part of the Zimbabwe series. The former took a personal break, awaiting the birth of his first child, while Sears is on his route to recover from a side injury, which will require another one to rehab.

New Zealand announce inexperienced squad for Zimbabwe trip

With both the red-ball clashes not being part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle, the Kiwi coach, Rob Walter, respected the decision of both Williamson and Bracewell. He also reckoned that it would be a great chance for the young players to take the next step in their red-ball career.

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Jacob Duffy is another uncapped player in the squad alongside Fisher. He is currently the number one-ranked T20I bowler. Will O’Rourke, Matt Henry, and Nathan Smith will complete the seam attack as they look to start a successful era after Tim Southee and Trent Boult. Ajaz Patel, who missed a huge chunk of his career, will link up with Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips in the spin attack.

Davon Conway, after getting dropped from the T20I tri-series, has returned to the longest format. Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Conway, and Phillips will join the squad after the end of the MLC 2025. The first Test of the series will be played on July 31, just five days after the end of the T20I tri-nation series.

New Zealand Test squad for the Zimbabwe series

Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Will Young.