• Devon Conway's unbeaten 59 guided New Zealand to a dominant eight-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the T20I Tri-Series.

  • Zimbabwe's batting struggles continued as they posted a below par 120 for 7 and failed to challenge a dominant New Zealand side.

Fans erupt as Devon Conway’s explosive knock leads New Zealand to a comfortable win over Zimbabwe in the T20I Tri-Series
Fans erupt as Devon Conway's explosive knock leads New Zealand to a comfortable win over Zimbabwe in the T20I Tri-Series (Image source: X)

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A dominant New Zealand side powered by Devon Conway’s sublime unbeaten half-century thrashed Zimbabwe by 8 wickets in the third match of the Zimbabwe T20 Tri-Series at the Harare Sports Club. As Zimbabwe struggled to put together a defendable total, Conway’s smooth stroke play lit up the chase, sealing the game with a whopping 37 balls to spare.

It was a one-sided affair from the outset. After winning the toss, Zimbabwe opted to bat first but were immediately put on the back foot by New Zealand’s potent bowling attack. Matt Henry led the charge with clinical precision, picking up 3 wickets for just 26 runs, while tidy spells from Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra further strangled any momentum the hosts attempted to build. Wessly Madhevere’s 36 and Brian Bennett’s 21 were the only highlights in an otherwise underwhelming total of 120/7 in their 20 overs.

Devon Conway plays a blistering knock against Zimbabwe

If there were any nerves chasing on a sluggish Harare surface, Conway certainly didn’t show them. After Tim Seifert fell early, Conway took control, expertly navigating Zimbabwe’s bowling with a blend of elegance and authority. He brought up his half-century in just 34 balls, peppering the field with 4 boundaries and 2 elegant sixes.

His 59* off 40 was a batting blueprint — calm under pressure, rotating the strike cleverly, and dispatching loose deliveries without breaking a sweat. Whether it was the pull off Tinotenda Maposa or the chip over cover off Sikandar Raza, Conway looked in imperious touch. His partnerships were equally vital — a 59-run stand with Ravindra, who contributed a fluent 30 off 19, and an unbroken 58-run blitz alongside Daryl Mitchell saw New Zealand cross the finish line with 6.1 overs to spare.

New Zealand breeze through as Zimbabwe falter again

New Zealand’s bowlers laid the foundation early on. Zimbabwe’s innings never truly took off, with regular wickets halting any potential partnerships. Madhevere tried his best to anchor the innings, but without substantial support and with tight overs from Santner (1/18 in 4), Ravindra (1/10 in 3), and Bracewell (1/15 in 2), Zimbabwe could only limp to 120/7.

In reply, despite the early loss of Seifert, the Kiwis looked untroubled. Ravindra once again showcased his blossoming all-round credentials, while Mitchell closed out the chase with a confident 26* off 19 balls.

With this emphatic win, New Zealand cemented their favouritism in the tri-series and sent a strong message to the other teams. For Zimbabwe, it’s back to the drawing board as they search for both consistency and spark before their next outing.

As fans roared for Conway’s heroics and the Kiwi juggernaut, Harare witnessed yet another reminder of why New Zealand remains one of T20 cricket’s most efficient machines.

Also WATCH: Zimbabwean batter Wessly Madhevere falls to unlucky hit-wicket dismissal against South Africa in T20I tri-series opener

Here’s how fans reacted:

Also READ: Fans react after Dewald Brevis’ fighting knock goes in vain as New Zealand beat South Africa in Zimbabwe T20I tri-series

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About the Author:
AKASH THAPA
Akash Thapa is a dedicated cricket journalist with three years of experience in the media industry. A BA (JMC) graduate from VIPS, GGSIPU, and a postgraduate in MAJMC from the University of Lucknow, Akash combines his academic credentials with a deep-rooted passion for cricket.His background as a former junior-level wrestler and cricketer enriches his insightful analysis and commentary on the game. Known for his inventive approach to writing and his commitment to capturing the nuances of cricket, Akash is a true aficionado of the sport.Connect with Akash on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram.