NZ look to extend winning streak against Zimbabwe

Practice games are a rarity in modern day cricket, only reserved for World Cups and marquee tours but when New Zealand take on Zimbabwe in the final group game of the tri-series, it's the closest thing they'll get to a practice game. Having long made the final, the only quandary New Zealand face is whether they wish to use this game as an opportunity to experiment or to consolidate their combinations before they face South Africa on Saturday.

So far, Zimbabwe have acted as mere hosts rather than as actual competitors in this tri-series. Battered twice by South Africa and once by New Zealand and their hopes of making it to the final long gone, all Zimbabwe can look to do is prove to their fans, as much as themselves, that they can still compete. In the last encounter between the two sides, Zimbabwe's batters could never get past third gear. The 121-run target they managed to set was chased down inside 14 overs - highlighting a clear gulf in quality across both departments.

New Zealand's primary focus will be to extend their winning streak in the lead-up to the final. Their wins over South Africa have been convincing too, with their first 21-run win being set up by the batters and their last 8-wicket win by the bowlers. New Zealand haven't had an obvious standout performer and that's because contributions have come across the board. Confidence will be running high for them, in complete contrast to Zimbabwe. All factors considered, it's hard to envisage the hosts posing much of a challenge.

When: July 24, 2025; 1pm Local Time (11am GMT, 4.30pm IST)

Where: Harare Sports Club, Harare

What to expect: So far, pitches at the Harare Sports Club haven't heavily favoured either batters or bowlers. Expect more of the same during the game

Team News

Zimbabwe: With this being their final game of the series, Zimbabwe may look to hand their bench players an opportunity. Blessing Muzarabani is also expected to return after missing the previous game due to personal reasons.

Probable XI: Wessly Madhevere, Tafadzwa Tsiga(w), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza(c), Ryan Burl, Tashinga Musekiwa, Tony Munyonga, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri

New Zealand:The visitors would probably look to rotate their players, with a focus on keeping them fresh and match-ready for the final against South Africa

Probable XI: Tim Seifert(w), Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Bevon Jacobs, Mitchell Santner(c), Zakary Foulkes, Adam Milne, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi

What they said:

"Winning the games is great but I think the big thing for us is that everyone's chipping in. . . We've played three games, there's always been someone different winning us the game which I think is a great sign from a squad point of view," said Tim Seifert after New Zealand's victory in their last game over South Africa.