Zimbabwe vs South Africa Final Full Commentary

Live · Sep 06 2026, Sun - 05:30 PM (IST)

Final, - Namibia Cricket Ground

18/0 (2.2)

ZIM

South Africa elected to bat

CRR:7.71

2.2

No run. Swing and a miss! The batter swings hard at that one but does not connect.
2.1

Fires it across the batter, full and outside off, Esterhuizen makes the leave as the ball flirts past the tramline.
0.0

Newman Nyamhuri comes on as the first change, replacing Wessly Madhevere.
1.6

Ripper from Blessing! Extracts bounce by bending his back, short of a length, outside off. Jordan Hermann just about manages to drop his wrist and sway away from the firing line to make the leave.
1.5

Tap and run! Length-delivery, angled into the batter, Connor stays deep inside the crease and tucks it in front of mid-wicket. Calls his partner through for a quick single. Bennett moves forward rapidly and scores a direct hit at the bowling end, but Esterhuizen is home safely by then. The ball deflects towards mid on but it is chased down by Raza from mid off. A tight single, though.
1.4

Back of a length, around off, Connor backs away to make room, and lofts it over extra cover. He does not time the ball well, but it has enough power to clear the in-field and they pick up two runs.
1.3

Slightly fuller than the previous ball, aimed at the stumps. Esterhuizen watchfully blocks it off the back foot.
1.2

Hammers the ball on a length, on top of middle and generates a bit of extra bounce. Connor hangs back and stabs it down the pitch.
1.1

Starts with a very full ball, on off, Jordan carves it toward mid off and they hurry through for a single. The mid off fielder attacks the ball but fails to pick it up cleanly.
0.0

Blessing Muzarabani will steam in from the other end.
0.6

On a fuller length, on the leg stump, Jordan plays against the spin and firmly drives it to widish long on for a single. A very productive opening over for the Proteas as 13 runs come from it.

0.5

FOUR! The third four of the over! Ordinary bowling. Onto the pads, full in length. Jordan gets down on one knee and sweeps it behind square on the leg side for a cracking boundary.
0.4

FOUR! Pins the gap! Dropped short by Wessly on middle, Hermann uses the depth of the crease and hammers it through the mid-wicket gap for a boundary.
0.3

Pushed through from around the stump, full on middle, Jordan takes a big stride in front to block.
0.2

Pitched full on middle, Connor lunges and whips it through wide mid on for a single.
0.1

FOUR! Runs straight away! Full from Madhevere, outside off. Esterhuizen leans on and crunches it through the cover and extra cover gap for a boundary.
0.0

We are all set for the finale to get underway. Sikandar Raza leads his troops out onto the park. With Lhuan-dre Pretorius missing out due to a niggle, Connor Esterhuizen has a new partner in Jordan Hermann. Zimbabwe are starting with the off-breaks of Wessly Madhevere. Connor to face the first ball. Let's play...
0.0

We are just a few minutes away from the first ball of the finale, but before that, both teams are getting lined up for the national anthems. It will be Zimbabwe's first, followed by that of South Africa's.
0.0

PITCH REPORT - The broadcaster informs us that pitch number 4 will be used for this game, with the straight boundaries measuring 65 metres, while the square boundaries are 67 and 68 metres. Says that this is the 3rd match on this surface. Adds that the grass covering has faded with time, leaving the pitch looking increasingly brown. Details that there are very few cracks, but both the pacers and spinners should get some assistance from the surface.
0.0

Quick word from the South African camp - Connor Esterhuizen, when asked how much momentum he is carrying from his previous batting performance, admits that there is naturally a bit of confidence to draw from an innings like that, though he is quick to add that it's a new day and a new game, meaning the side has to start afresh. On whether playing in a final shifts his mindset at all, he says the aim is always to stay positive, while also taking time to assess the conditions out in the middle before making any calls. Speaking on the conditions, he underlines that things have generally favoured the batters so far, with the surface in the previous game proving to be a really good one to bat on. That said, he is mindful that it's a fresh day, and the pitch could well behave differently this time around.
0.0

In conversation with Zimbabwe's opener - Brian Bennett says the conditions are really good but admits it can be tough to defend on this ground with the short boundaries. On the competitive nature of the Tri-Series, he says South Africa have been really good, as have Namibia. Adds that funny things can happen in T20 cricket and it is about what happens on the particular day. On his series on a personal level so far, he says he has been able to get himself in and hopes he can produce a big score today.

0.0

Zimbabwe (Playing XI) - Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Innocent Kaia, Sikandar Raza (C), Ryan Burl, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani (WK), Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri, Kundai Matigimu and Blessing Muzarabani. IN - Newman Nyamhuri. OUT - Wellington Masakadza.
0.0

South Africa (Playing XI) - Connor Esterhuizen (WK), Jordan Hermann, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Rubin Hermann, Eathan Bosch, Duan Jansen, Bjorn Fortuin (C), Prenelan Subrayen, Nqobani Mokoena and Kwena Maphaka. IN - Tony de Zorzi, Prenelan Subrayen and Duan Jansen. OUT - Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane and Nqabayomzi Peter.
0.0

The captain of Zimbabwe - Sikandar Raza says that they would have opted to bowl first, so they are happy to lose the toss. Mentions that their bowlers will be looking to make use of the moisture on the surface. Stresses that they need to make early inroads and put South Africa under pressure. Reflecting on the positives from the previous result, he says reaching the final is a beautiful place to be, adding that it was an honour for the side to have made it this far. He notes that both teams stand an equal chance of lifting the trophy, and that whichever side keeps its composure under pressure deserves the win. Getting the basics right, in his view, would put them in a strong position heading into the final. On the team changes, he informs that Newman Nyamhuri comes in for Wellington Masakadza.
0.0

The captain of South Africa - Bjorn Fortuin says it looks like a dry surface, so they want to put runs on the board and then defend. He hopes they can carry the momentum from their previous win and continue the good work. Informs that they have 3 changes, with a couple of them being forced, as Andile Simelane and Lhuan-dre Pretorius are missing out due to niggles.