New Zealand Edge South Africa in Tense Tri-Series Final

AFP/APP

Harare: Matt Henry held his nerve in a dramatic final over to help New Zealand clinch a narrow three-run win over South Africa in the final of the Zimbabwe T20 International Tri-Series at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.

Chasing a target of 181, South Africa appeared poised for victory when Dewald Brevis smashed 15 runs off Zakary Foulkes in the penultimate over, including two towering sixes. Needing just seven runs from the final over, the Proteas were favourites.

However, Henry turned the tide. Brevis looked to repeat his heroics but was brilliantly caught on the boundary by Michael Bracewell, who leapt at deep midwicket, tossed the ball in the air as he crossed the rope, then returned to complete a composed relay catch.

Three runs came off the next two deliveries before George Linde was dismissed courtesy of a diving catch by Daryl Mitchell at long-on. Henry sealed the win with a final dot ball, sparking New Zealand celebrations.

Henry, who was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament, finished as the leading wicket-taker with 10 scalps.

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“South Africa got off to a flier,” Henry said, referring to the opening stand of 92 between Lhuan-dre Pretorius (51) and Reeza Hendricks (37). “Credit to our team for staying in the fight—knowing that wickets can change things.”

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner praised his side’s resilience on what he described as the best batting pitch of the tournament.

“Guys stepped up on different occasions throughout this tri-series,” Santner said. “There were a lot of challenges with the ball today, but the team was clear on their plans and stuck to them.”

South African skipper Rassie van der Dussen lauded his young side, who were missing several senior players.

“A centimetre more and the result could have been different,” he reflected, referring to the tight boundary call on Brevis’ dismissal, which required a lengthy TV review to confirm Bracewell had not touched the rope.

Earlier, New Zealand had posted 180 for five, thanks to a 75-run opening stand between Tim Seifert (30) and Devon Conway (47), with Rachin Ravindra also chipping in with a quickfire 47 off 27 balls. South Africa clawed back in the final overs with a disciplined strategy of low full tosses.

After a fast start in reply, South Africa lost momentum before Brevis reignited their hopes with a blistering 31 off 16 deliveries, including three sixes—nearly four.

But in the end, it was Henry’s composure and New Zealand’s sharp fielding that made the difference.