ZIM vs SA Preview | Zimbabwe seek maiden win in series but mighty Proteas stand in way

Over a century since the formation of the ICC, Zimbabwe and South Africa remain its only two full-member African nations and consequently the only international rivalry to emanate for the region. However, the two teams have endured starkly contrasting fortunes over the years, with the Proteas rising through the ranks to establish themselves as modern powerhouses while the Chevrons have barely kept afloat, even taking an extended self-exile in the meantime.

Yet, the ongoing tri-series has brought the two nations back on the same stage, with the two playing outside of ICC events in the shortest format for the first time in seven years. The affair has only gone on to further cement the chasm that exists between the teams, emphasized by the way South Africa cruised to victory when they faced each other in the series opener. This is despite the visitors fielding a second-string squad, missing the likes of Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, and Kagiso Rabada to name a few.

However, while Sunday’s result might once again end up as a foregone conclusion, it still has plenty to offer for both teams. The Proteas have a chance to test their combinations and young guns with the 2026 T20 World Cup in February firmly in view, a process already kickstarted by handing Lhuan Dre-Pretorius a debut and fielding the likes of Kwena Maphaka. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, also seek to get their combinations right ahead of the all-important regional qualifiers at home in September, hoping to avoid last year’s embarrassment where they even failed to make it to the World Cup’s main draw.

Form Guide

Zimbabwe entered the series on the back of a 1-0 win against Ireland in a rain-marred series but it is little indication of their form. The Chevrons have not beaten any side other than the Irish in a bilateral series since 2022, and have already succumbed to two losses in the ongoing tri-series.

The Proteas, meanwhile, have not had much to rejoice in bilateral affairs either. Even though they made the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup and have since beaten Pakistan in a home series, the triumph was their only bilateral series win since August 2022 when they had defeated Ireland. In the tri-series, they won the opener against Zimbabwe comfortably but succumbed to New Zealand by 21 runs.

ZIM:  L L NR W NR

SA:  L W A W W

ZIM vs SA Head-to-Head in T20Is

South Africa have prevailed in all six completed T20Is between the two nations, including earlier in the ongoing tri-series which was their first result-producing meeting in the format in seven years. The Proteas had triumphed comfortably  by five wickets and remain the clear favourites for the upcoming encounter as well.

ZIM 0 - 6 SA

Pitch and Weather

The pitch at Harare Sports Club often produces significant swing and seam movement for the pacers with the new ball, with the dry track making strokemaking difficult. However, once the batters manage to get their eye in, big hits can follow but so can collapses if a spinner or two manage to find their footing.  The stats say the team batting first has won on 29 occasions as opposed to 24 wins for the chasing side and if the series so far is anything to go by, setting a target remains a preference given the ascendancy of slower bowlers as the game progresses.

The weather in Harare is expected to be mostly sunny with some intermittent cloud covering. The temperature is forecasted to hover around the 20 degrees Celsius mark, with no threats of rain. 

Team News

Clive Madande has failed to impress with the bat as Zimbabwe’s incumbent wicket-keeper and is at threat of losing his spot to Tafadzwa Tsiga who is already the preferred choice in Test cricket. 

South Africa made a couple of bowling changes in their last encounter as their experimentation continues with the World Cup next year, and along similar logical lines might look to replace Kwena Maphaka with Nandre Bruger after the quick performed well in the series opener. 

ZIM Probable XI: Wessly Madhavere, Brian Bennett, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Tinotenda Maposa, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Trevor Gwandu

SA Probable XI: Lhuan Dre-Pretorius (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Rubin Hermann, Senuran Muthuswamy, Rassie van der Dussen (c), Dewald Brevis, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger   

Broadcasting Platforms

The fourth match of the Zimbabwe T20I tri-series between the hosts and South Africa will be digitally streamed on the Fancode app and website.

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