A clinical South Africa produced a dominant all-round performance to beat Zimbabwe by 48 runs in the final and clinch the T20I tri-series title at the Namibia Cricket Ground here on Sunday.
Powered by a quickfire half-century from Jordan Hermann and a 23-ball 32 from Dewald Brevis, South Africa posted a formidable 205/5 in 20 overs after opting to bat first. In response, Zimbabwe’s top order crumbled under pressure before they were bowled out for 157 in 18 overs.
Despite missing opener Lhuan-dre Pretorius due to a niggle, South Africa made a strong start. Hermann raced to a 24-ball fifty, striking eight fours and a six, while sharing an 84-run opening partnership with Connor Esterhuizen, who contributed 32.
Brevis kept the scoring rate high in the middle
overs, hitting two fours and two sixes, while Rubin Hermann added a brisk 27 off 16 balls, including three fours and a six. Their 47-run fifth-wicket stand helped the Proteas cross the 200-run mark.
For Zimbabwe, right-arm pacer Brad Evans (2-36) and left-arm quick Newman Nyamhuri (2-51) were the pick of the bowlers.
Chasing 206, Zimbabwe endured a disastrous start as Ben Curran was dismissed for a first-ball duck by Eathan Bosch. Duan Jansen and Bosch then struck in quick succession to reduce Zimbabwe to four down inside the powerplay.
Captain Sikandar Raza received an early reprieve when a caught-behind dismissal off Bosch was overturned because of a no-ball. However, South Africa captain Bjorn Fortuin soon ended his resistance, claiming his wicket to leave Zimbabwe’s chase in disarray.
Evans sparked a spirited late fightback, smashing his maiden T20I fifty while adding 52 for the ninth wicket with Kundai Matigimu. Kwena Maphaka eventually broke the partnership, with Zimbabwe’s innings folding in the 18th over.
Jansen finished as the leading seamer with 3-38, while Bosch claimed 2-22 as South Africa defeated Zimbabwe for the third time in the last eight days.
The tri-series served as an important warm-up event for 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup co-hosts South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. South Africa will next play a three-match bilateral ODI series against hosts Namibia, with Fortuin continuing as captain.
(With IANS Inputs)
