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New Zealand down Zimbabwe despite Ngarava, Munyonga resistance

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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

Chigumbura confident as U19 tri-series gets underway

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Zimbabwe’s preparations for the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 will shift into high gear this week, as the country hosts a youth one-day international (ODI) triangular series featuring visiting sides from South Africa and Bangladesh.  

The hosts will get the ball rolling when they face South Africa Under-19s in the tournament opener at Sunrise Sports Club this Friday.

The following day, the two visiting teams will square off at the same venue.

The rest of the tri-series action then moves to Harare Sports Club, starting with a clash between Zimbabwe Under-19s and Bangladesh Under-19s on Monday.

The remainder of the schedule will see each team playing the others multiple times, culminating in a final between the top two sides on 10 August.

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has named a 23-player squad for the series – a deliberate move to broaden the selection pool and provide valuable game time to more players in preparation for next year’s Under-19 World Cup, which Zimbabwe will co-host with Namibia.

Head Coach Elton Chigumbura said the tournament offers a vital opportunity to test combinations, assess individual progress and instil a winning mentality in the squad.

“This tri-series gives us a perfect platform to assess our depth and talent in competitive conditions,” Chigumbura said.

“By naming a larger squad, we are ensuring that more players are exposed to high-level cricket as we shape our World Cup squad.”

Chigumbura said while development remains a key focus, the team is targeting more than just participation.

“We are not just looking to be competitive – we are going all out to win this tri-series,” he said. 

“We have prepared well, and the boys are hungry to prove themselves against quality opposition.

“This is about building a winning culture and momentum as we head toward the World Cup.”

Admission to all matches is free, and every game will be streamed live across ZC digital platforms.

ZIMBABWE UNDER-19 SQUAD FOR THE TRI-SERIES: 

Rowyn Konson, Kirby Madharamete, Michael Blignaut, Kian Blignaut, Dhruv Patel, Simbarashe Mudzengerere, Tatenda Chimugoro, Marshall Mashava, Panashe Mazai, Ryan Moyo, Brandon Ndiweni, Takudzwa Makoni, Jayden Matsikenyeri, Kupakwashe Muradzi, Samuel Muyambo, Nathaniel Hlabangana, Tinotenda Nzua, Leeroy Chiwaula, Brandon Senzere, Benny Zuze, Ambitious Muduma, Tatenda Banda, Naweji Mutumwa.

UNDER-19 TRI-SERIES MATCH SCHEDULE – JULY-AUGUST 2025:

DAYMATCHVENUESTART
25 JulyZimbabwe U19 v South Africa U19Sunrise Sports Club0915
26 JulySouth Africa U19 v Bangladesh U19Sunrise Sports Club0915
28 JulyZimbabwe U19 v Bangladesh U19Harare Sports Club0915
29 JulyZimbabwe U19 v South Africa U19Harare Sports Club0915
31 JulyBangladesh U19 v South Africa U19Harare Sports Club0915
1 AugustZimbabwe U19 v Bangladesh U19Harare Sports Club0915
4 AugustZimbabwe U19 v South Africa U19Harare Sports Club0915
6 AugustSouth Africa U19 v Bangladesh U19Harare Sports Club0915
8 AugustZimbabwe U19 v Bangladesh U19Harare Sports Club0915
10 AugustFINAL – Number 1 v Number 2Harare Sports Club0915

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