Sodhi’s Spin Masterclass Seals the Win
Ish Sodhi delivered a stunning spell of leg-spin bowling, taking a career-best 4 for 12 to dismantle Zimbabwe and power New Zealand to a convincing 60-run victory in the final round-robin match of the T20I tri-series in Harare. His efforts ensured New Zealand finished on top of the table heading into the final.
Seifert and Ravindra Light Up the PowerPlay
After choosing to bat first, New Zealand lost opener Tim Robinson early, but that did little to slow them down. Tim Seifert and Rachin Ravindra Jeetbuzz formed a brilliant second-wicket partnership, smashing 108 runs together and setting the foundation for a strong total. By the end of the PowerPlay, New Zealand had raced to 57/1 on a slightly sluggish pitch.
Ravindra was the early aggressor, finding the boundary regularly and reaching his half-century in just 32 balls. He was given a reprieve on 46, which he made the most of, while Seifert soon caught up with his own fifty, coming off 33 deliveries. Their partnership ensured New Zealand crossed 100 in style.
Middle-Order Wobble Checked by Bracewell
Zimbabwe found a way back into the contest briefly when Tinotenda Maposa removed Ravindra and Mark Chapman in the same over. Seifert fought back with a flurry of boundaries, including a towering six off Sikandar Raza and three consecutive fours off Richard Ngarava. But Ngarava had the last laugh, dismissing Seifert for 75 and removing Bevon Jacobs on the very next ball.
Despite the mini-collapse, Michael Bracewell’s late Jeetwin cameo of 26 not out from just 16 balls, featuring two boundaries and a six, gave New Zealand the finishing boost they needed. Ngarava ended with the best bowling figures for Zimbabwe, picking up 4 for 34.
Zimbabwe Stumble Early in the Chase
In response, Zimbabwe’s innings unraveled quickly. Sodhi was introduced during the PowerPlay and struck thrice in his second over, breaking the back of the chase early. Matt Henry joined the party by trapping the dangerous Sikandar Raza leg-before, and Zimbabwe found themselves in deep trouble at 38/4 by the end of six overs.
No Real Recovery for the Hosts
Though Tony Munyonga and Tashinga Musekiwa stitched together a 51-run stand in the middle overs, Zimbabwe never looked in control. Munyonga fought hard with a brisk 40 off 30 balls, but once Sodhi returned to break that partnership, the rest of the batting folded without resistance.
New Zealand’s clinical performance with both bat and ball ensured not just a dominant win but also clear momentum going into the final. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, will have a lot to reflect on after another underwhelming display.
