Cricket

New Zealand down Zimbabwe despite Ngarava, Munyonga resistance

Published

2 months ago

July 29, 2025

New Zealand – 190-6 in 20 overs (Tim Seifert 75, Rachin Ravindra 63, Michael Bracewell 26*; Richard Ngarava 4/34, Tinotenda Maposa 2/33)

Zimbabwe – 130 all out in 18.5 overs (Tony Munyonga 40, Dion Myers 22, Tashinga Musekiwa 21; Ish Sodhi 4/12, Matt Henry 2/34, Zakary Foulkes 1/14)

New Zealand won by 60 runs

A spirited 40 from Tony Munyonga and a superb four-wicket haul by Richard Ngarava were not enough to save Zimbabwe from slumping to their fourth consecutive defeat in the T20I tri-series, as they succumbed to a 60-run loss against New Zealand at Harare Sports Club on Thursday.

For the first time in the tournament, Zimbabwe were asked to bowl first after the visitors won the toss.

Despite an early life, New Zealand opener Tim Robinson departed for 10 in the third over, slicing a drive off Ngarava to Tashinga Musekiwa at deep third man with the score on 19.

What followed was a dominant batting display by Rachin Ravindra and Tim Seifert, who capitalised on some sloppy Zimbabwean fielding – most notably when Seifert was dropped on 13.

The pair put on a punishing 108-run stand for the second wicket.

Ravindra brought up his half-century off 32 balls, with Seifert following shortly after from 33 deliveries.

The partnership was broken in the 14th over when Ravindra, having struck two sixes and seven fours in his 63 off 39 balls, lofted a catch to Sikandar Raza at long-on off Tinotenda Maposa.

Two balls later, Mark Chapman fell for a duck, caught at long-on by Wellington Masakadza to leave New Zealand on 127 for three.

Seifert continued the onslaught, eventually falling for a blistering 75 off 45 balls, edging Ngarava to the keeper.

Ngarava struck again two balls later, removing Bevon Jacobs for a duck, and returned in the final over of his spell to dismiss Mitchell Santner.

Finishing with figures of four for 34 in his four overs, Ngarava was Zimbabwe’s standout bowler in an otherwise difficult innings.

Although Zimbabwe managed to rein in the scoring briefly, the final over, bowled by Trevor Gwandu, proved costly.

Michael Bracewell smashed 21 runs off it, including a six and two fours, propelling New Zealand to 190 for six.

Bracewell remained unbeaten on 26.

Zimbabwe began their chase brightly, with Dion Myers, promoted to open for the first time, striking three boundaries in Matt Henry’s opening over to race to 14.

However, leg-spinner Ish Sodhi triggered a top-order collapse.

Sodhi removed Brian Bennett for one in his first over and struck twice in his next, bowling Clive Madande (2) with a ripping googly before castling Myers for 22.

At 28 for three after five overs, Zimbabwe were in disarray.

Raza briefly counter-attacked, hitting Henry for a boundary, but was trapped lbw for nine by the same bowler.

Ryan Burl (5) holed out to Bracewell, and Zimbabwe slumped to 44 for five.

Munyonga fought back with a flurry of big hits, including a towering six off Bracewell and two more off Santner.

But attempting a fourth maximum off Sodhi, he was caught at long-off for 40 off 30 balls in a valiant effort to revive the innings.

Musekiwa added a useful 21, but no other batter reached double figures.

Zimbabwe were eventually bowled out for 130 in 18.5 overs, falling well short of the target.

Sodhi was the standout bowler for New Zealand, finishing with remarkable figures of four for 12 in his four overs.

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Cricket

Sri Lanka Clinch T20I Series as Zimbabwe Fall Short in High-Scoring Finale

Zimbabwe’s hopes of sealing a home series win were dashed on Sunday night as Sri Lanka powered to an eight-wicket victory in the third and final T20I, securing the series 2–1 at Harare Sports Club.

Published

5 days ago

September 7, 2025

sportbriefzw

HARARE — Zimbabwe’s hopes of sealing a home series win were dashed on Sunday night as Sri Lanka powered to an eight-wicket victory in the third and final T20I, securing the series 2–1 at Harare Sports Club.

After being sent in to bat, Zimbabwe posted a competitive total of 191 for 8 in their 20 overs, with solid contributions from the top order. The hosts looked poised to defend the score, but Sri Lanka’s batting unit had other plans.

Leading the charge was Kamil Mishara, who delivered a match-winning performance and was named Player of the Match. Mishara’s fluent strokeplay anchored Sri Lanka’s chase, as they reached 193 for 2 in just 17.4 overs, comfortably surpassing the target with 14 balls to spare.

Despite the loss, Zimbabwe showed flashes of brilliance throughout the series, including a strong batting display in the final match. However, their bowling attack struggled to contain Sri Lanka’s aggressive approach in the decider.

The result means Sri Lanka take home the series trophy, while Zimbabwe will look to build on the positives ahead of future international fixtures. The series offered valuable experience for Zimbabwe’s younger players.

Cricket

Ndhlovu Shines as Zimbabwe Women Clinch Africa Qualifier Crown

Kelis Ndhlovu struck a scintillating unbeaten 70 to power Zimbabwe Women to a commanding nine-wicket victory over Namibia Women in the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier in Windhoek on Saturday.

Published

5 days ago

September 7, 2025

sportbriefzw

Namibia Women – 115-7 in 20 overs (Kayleen Green 48, Yasmeen Khan 23, Mekelaye Mwatile 18; Beloved Biza 2/12, Josephine Nkomo 2/13, Nyasha Gwanzura 1/19)

Zimbabwe Women – 116-1 in 16.3 overs (Kelis Ndhlovu 70*, Modester Mupachikwa 37, Loreen Tshuma 4*; Saima Tuhadeleni 1/18)

Zimbabwe Women won by nine wickets

The 19-year-old opener dominated proceedings with a fluent 52-ball knock, peppered with 11 fours and a six, as Zimbabwe comfortably chased down Namibia’s 115 for seven with 21 balls to spare.

The result sealed the regional title for Zimbabwe, who, along with Namibia, had already booked their tickets to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2026 in Nepal by reaching the final.

After winning the toss and electing to field, Zimbabwe had to work hard early on as Namibia’s openers made a steady start.

The breakthrough came in the eighth over when Nyasha Gwanzura bowled Sune Wittmann for 11, ending a 27-run opening stand.

Kayleen Green kept the scoreboard ticking with a composed innings of 48 off 47 balls, decorated with five boundaries and two sixes.

She put on 38 in just five overs with Yasmeen Khan before falling to Loreen Tshuma, returning a catch to the bowler with Namibia well-placed at 65 for two.

Khan (23) and Mekelaye Mwatile added a further 33 runs, but Zimbabwe’s bowlers hit back strongly in the closing stages.

Khan was run out in the 16th over, sparking a collapse.

Beloved Biza then removed Wilka Mwatile for two, while Josephine Nkomo struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Mekelaye Mwatile (18) and Jurriene Diergaardt (1).

Biza returned to claim her second wicket when Mezerly Gorases was caught by Chiedza Dhururu for one, as Namibia stumbled to 115 for seven in their 20 overs.

Biza and Nkomo finished with two wickets apiece, while Tshuma and Gwanzura chipped in with one each.

Zimbabwe’s reply was nothing short of emphatic.

Ndhlovu and Modester Mupachikwa all but sealed the contest with a commanding opening partnership worth 112 runs in 16.1 overs.

Mupachikwa played the perfect supporting role with a patient 37 from 45 balls, striking five fours before she was bowled by Saima Tuhadeleni when attempting to finish the match.

There was little left for Namibia to celebrate, as Tshuma promptly struck a boundary to complete the chase at 116 for one in 16.3 overs.

Ndhlovu walked off unbeaten, her innings underlining her growing stature as one of Zimbabwe’s brightest young stars.

With the title in the bag and a ticket to the global qualifier secured, Zimbabwe will take confidence from their dominant showing in Windhoek where they won all their five matches convincingly.

Cricket

Unbeaten Zimbabwe Women Secure Spot in Global Qualifier for 2026 T20 World Cup

Published

1 week ago

September 4, 2025

sportbriefzw

Zimbabwe’s women’s cricket team has taken a major step toward the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, booking their place in the Global Qualifier after a commanding run through the Africa regional competition. Their latest triumph—a five-wicket victory over Uganda in the semi-final—sealed their qualification and extended their unbeaten streak in the tournament.

The win not only confirmed Zimbabwe’s spot in the final of the Africa Qualifier Division 1 but also guaranteed their participation in the next stage of the World Cup pathway. Their consistent performances have showcased a team growing in confidence and ambition, determined to return to the global stage.

Joining Zimbabwe in the Global Qualifier will be Namibia, who defeated Tanzania by eight wickets in the second semi-final. Namibia handed Tanzania their first loss of the tournament in a dominant display, setting up a final clash with Zimbabwe.

The Global Qualifier will feature ten teams vying for four coveted spots at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England. Alongside Zimbabwe and Namibia, the lineup includes:

Netherlands and Ireland (Europe Qualifier)
United States (Americas Qualifier)
Nepal and Thailand (Asia Qualifier)
Scotland and Bangladesh, who earned automatic qualification based on their participation in the 2024 edition
One team from the East-Asia Pacific Qualifier, yet to be decided