ZIM vs SA Match Preview

As neighbours, any sporting contest between South Africa and Zimbabwe is noteworthy, and this one will be no exception, as the hosts, Zimbabwe, must win in order to maintain their hopes of progressing in this tri-series. So far in the battle between Zimbabwe, South Africa, and New Zealand, the Black Caps have been the most impressive, sitting atop the table after three games. Not that anyone expected much else; based on the relative strength of all three teams in this series, New Zealand is widely expected to win.

ZIM vs SA Match Details

Zimbabwe vs South Africa – 4th Match, Zimbabwe T20I Tri-Series, 2025

Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare

Date & Time: 20th July 2025 at 04:30 PM IST 

Live Streaming: FanCode

ZIM vs SA Venue Stats 

ZIM vs SA 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 SA 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 SA Last Five Matches

ZIM vs SA Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

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

Also Read: PPL 2025: VMK vs RWT Dream11 Prediction 33rd Match

ZIM vs SA Probable Playing XIs:

South Africa Probable Playing XIs

Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Reeza Hendricks, Rubin Hermann, Senuran Muthusamy, Rassie van der Dussen (c), Dewald Brevis, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Kwena Maphaka, Senuran Muthusamy

Zimbabwe Probable Playing XIs

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

Topmost Picks for ZIM vs SA 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.
• Richard Ngarava – Richard Ngarava took three wickets in this competition and was the best bowler for the hosts in one of two games.

Top Picks – South Africa

• Dewald Brevis – Dewald Brevis is the tournament's leading run-scorer, having scored at least 19 runs in both of his outings.
• Matt Henry –  Matt Henry has 21 wickets in the last nine T20Is at an economy rate of six.

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

Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Reeza Hendricks, Brian Bennett, Rubin Hermann, Sikandar Raza(VC), Ryan Burl, George Linde(C), Wessly Madhevere, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Richard Ngarava

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – George Linde, Reeza Hendricks

Vice-captain – Wessly Madhevere, Sikandar Raza 

Wicketkeeper – Lhuan-dre Pretorius

ZIM vs SA Probable Winners:

This appears to be another one-sided game in Harare, and we are not anticipating Zimbabwe causing South Africa numerous issues. Our prediction is that Zimbabwe will suffer another defeat. Considering the team combination, South Africa is expected to win this match.

Zimbabwe T20I captain Sikandar Raza created history in T20I cricket during the home T20I tri-series opener against South Africa, where he scored a fighting half-century in the interesting match.

After South Africa chose to field first, Zimbabwe had a slow start. Captain Sikandar Raza came to bat at no.4 after Clive Madande was dismissed in the eighth over of the innings. Raza fought hard and scored 54 not out off 38 balls with three fours and two sixes, as Zimbabwe managed to score 141/6 in 20 overs. During that fighting innings, he had a 66-run partnership with Ryan Burl for the fourth wicket.

With that knock, the Zimbabwean skipper Sikandar Raza completed his 1000 T20I runs as a captain. With 39 wickets and 1033 runs as a T20I captain, Raza became the first T20I captain among the ICC Full Members and third overall T20I captain to record 1000 runs and 25 wickets. Namibian captain Gerhard Erasmus and PNG captain Assad Vala first two names in this list.

See Also: Major setback for New Zealand ahead of T20I Tri-Nation series

T20I captains with 1000 runs and 25 wickets

Sikandar Raza set another T20I record

It was also another historic day for the skipper Sikandar Raza, as playing his 39th T20I match as a Zimbabwe captain, he set a new record for most T20I matches as a captain for Zimbabwe. Craig Ervine was the previous record holder in this list with 38 T20I matches, and last captained the Chevrons T20I side in 2023.  

South Africa won comfortably after tough start

In reply, South Africa lost their first three batters in the powerplay, as they were struggling at 38/3 at the end of the powerplay. However, international cricket debutant Rubin Hermann (45) and T20I comeback Dewald Brevis (41) secured a comfortable win for the Proteas, as they chased down the target in 15.5 overs after losing by five wickets.  

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.

Read More: WATCH: BCCI latest video on Lord's ahead of ENG vs IND 3rd Test

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. 

South Africa’s stand-in Test skipper for the second Zimbabwe Test, Wiaan Mulder, declared on 367 not out at lunch on the second day of the fixture, despite being so close to Brian Lara’s world record of 400*. It was already the highest individual red-ball score by a Protea batter, going past Hashim Amla’s 311, which he got against England in 2012 at the Kennington Oval.

Mulder decided against chasing Brian Lara's record and opted to declare the first innings at 626/5. At the end of the day’s play, he disclosed that the decision came after a small meeting with the head coach, Shukri Conrad, as he was happy to let the legendary West Indies southpaw keep the big score in history. Mulder finished with the fifth-highest individual Test score in the history of the game.

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“You never know what is destined for me, but Brian Lara keeping that record (of the highest score in Tests) is exactly the way it should be. I thought we got enough from the new ball, and secondly, Brian Lara is a legend. He got 400 against England - for someone of that stature, to keep that record is pretty special.” The 27-year-old addressed Shaun Pollock. 

Watch: Wiaan Mulder declared a decision to avoid Brian Lara’s record

Given the amount of time left in the encounter, Mulder could have easily planned the record. However, more than that, it’s a great relief for the Proteas, who displayed trust in the batter to shoulder the responsibility at number three. After a couple of failures in the opening Test of the series and the WTC 2023-25 final against Australia at Lord’s, his return has impressed their coach.

“Wiaan’s innings was nothing short of extraordinary. Being the captain, then batting at No.3 where he had to absorb early pressure and face the new-ball, which he did with immense composure and control - it was unbelievable. It’s the kind of performance that anchors a team and sets the tone for the entire match. We’re incredibly proud of what he’s achieved today.” Conrad expressed at the end of the day's play.

"Let the legends keep the really big scores." ❤️

🇿🇦 Wiaan Mulder speaks to Shaun Pollock after his historic knock 👏#ZIMvSA | #SSCricket pic.twitter.com/VqySlzOzHY

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) July 7, 2025

Zimbabwe were average in their first innings with the bat, getting bundled out for just 170, making the follow-on after the captain of the Rainbow Nations set the platform. The current WTC champions lead the series by 1-0 and could seal the deal by the end of the third day’s play.