The Black Caps batted first at Harare Sports Club in what was the third meeting between the two sides in the tournament.

This time, the Black Caps were at near full strength, with some of their biggest names back in action.

Tom Seifert. Photo: Zimbabwe Cricket

They posted 180/5 in their allotted 20 overs, with Johannesburg-born Devon Conway scoring 47, while star batter Rachin Ravindra matched that with an explosive 47 off just 27 deliveries. Wicketkeeper Tom Seifert also chipped in with a quickfire 30 at the top of the innings.

Lungi Ngidi was the pick of the South African bowlers, returning impressive figures of 2/24 in his four overs. Nandré Burger, Kwena Maphaka, and Senuran Muthusamy each picked up a wicket as well.

In reply, teenager Lhuan-Dré Pretorius smashed 51 off 35 balls before being stumped with South Africa on 92 in 9.4 overs. Fellow opener Reeza Hendricks contributed 37.

Lungi Ngidi. Photo: Zimbabwe Cricket

Heading into the final over, South Africa needed just seven runs to win. Dewald Brevis, looking to seal the deal with a six, was caught on the boundary for a gutsy 31 off 16 balls. Just three balls later, George Linde was brilliantly caught one-handed on the boundary by Daryl Mitchell for ten, as he too went for a big hit.

With South Africa needing four runs off the final delivery to win – or three to force a Super Over – new batter Senuran Muthusamy couldn’t connect, and Matt Henry’s brilliant final over, which included two wickets, sealed victory for the Kiwis.

Henry finished as the standout New Zealand bowler with 3/19 in three overs. Adam Milne took 1/27, while Jacob Duffy, Zakary Foulkes, and Michael Bracewell also got among the wickets for Rob Walter’s side.

Lhuan-Dré Pretorius. Photo: Zimbabwe Cricket

After the narrow defeat, Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad reflected on the brutal nature of T20 cricket.

“T20 cricket is such that it can be quite brutal,” said Conrad.

“I mean, that was a game of millimetres. Going into the last over, you’re backing yourself to get seven runs from six balls, especially with someone like Dewald Brevis at the crease.

“Then he gets a delivery that he’d normally hit out of Harare, finds the toe of the bat, and it doesn’t go for six. George then hits another one sweetly, and it’s an incredible catch from Mitchell.”

“So yeah, ifs and buts at the end of the day – it just wasn’t meant to be. But we played some really good cricket today. We stood toe-to-toe with New Zealand, who’ve been the class side in the tournament, so hats off to them.

“I’m thrilled with the way we played, and there’s so much we can take forward from here. Yes, the result is disappointing, but there are loads of positives and a lot to be proud of.”

The Proteas will now take a short breather before heading Down Under for a three-match T20 International and three-match One-Day International series against Australia, with a full-strength South African squad.

The first T20I between Australia and South Africa is scheduled for 10 August in Darwin.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg