After a brutal test series defeat against South Africa, Zimbabwe locks horns again with the Proteas in the T20 triangular competition with New Zealand. The Harare Sports Club will be the host of each match of the T20 triangular; a home ground wherein Zimbabwe have lost seven of their last ten T20 International matches.
The Proteas lead the Chevrons 2-6 in the head-to-head record in T20 Internationals. It’s been over 4760 days that Zimbabwe defeated South Africa in T20s. The previous win too was a part of a triangular that involved Bangladesh. Zimbabwe defeated South Africa twice in the tournament to be crowned the champions back then. But since then, it has been a struggle for the men in red who can find some solace with their T20 series win against Ireland in February earlier this year.
Teams
Zimbabwe will be led by Sikandar Raza who returns to the team after managing to reach a score of 30 only once in the eight innings he batted and ended with an economy of more than 10 at the 2025 Major League Cricket. Raza’s squad features Vincent Masekesa, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Newman Nyamhuri as the uncapped players. Furthermore, Richard Ngarava returns to the side to boost a bowling attack comprising Blessing Muzarabani, Wellington Masakadza, and Trevor Gwandu.
36-year-old Rassie van der Dussen is still seeking his first win as a captain. In his fourth match as the captain, he will be the first T20 International skipper for Corbin Bosch, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Rubin Hermann, and Senuran Muthusamy. Lungi Ngidi will spearhead a very strong bowling attack alongside Kwena Maphaka and comeback men Gerald Coetzee, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger. Moreover, this series will also be seen as testing grounds for all-rounders George Linde and Andile Simelane for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Even in the absence of Anrich Nortje, the Proteas seen overwhelmingly strong for the Chevrons. In the Zimbabwean camp, the omission of Brad Evans, Antum Naqvi, and Tadiwanashe Marumani has already been met with intense scrutiny. Raza and Muzarabani, along with Brian Bennett and Ryan Burla will have to step up consistently to have a chance against the Proteas.
