Zimbabwe’s bowling all-rounder Brad Evans’ all-round show including a maiden T20I fifty as they faced a 48-run defeat against South Africa in the tri-series final at Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek, on September 6. In the absence of an injured Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Jordan Hermann's maiden T20I fifty and cameos from others helped South Africa post 205/5. In the run chase, Evans rescued Zimbabwe from 81/8 but his unbeaten 56 was not enough. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 157 in 18 overs and lost by 48 runs.
South Africa post daunting total on the board
In the tri-series final, South Africa skipper Bjorn Fortuin won the toss and opted to bat. Jordan and Connor Esterhuizen started well, hitting fours and sixes with ease. After powerplay overs, South Africa were 67 for no loss. In the eighth over, Jordan reached his maiden T20I fifty from 24 balls. In the same over, Newman Nyamhuri broke the opening partnership with Esterhuizen's wicket. He scored 32 runs from 23 balls, including three fours and two sixes. Then, Evans dismissed Jordan as Ryan Burl took a stunning catch. The opener hit eight fours and a six in his 29-ball 53.
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Dewald Brevis hit Wesley Madhavere for a massive six into the parking lot. In the 13th over, Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza got Tony de Zorzi stumped for an 11-ball 17. Brevis and Rubin Hermann kept the tempo up. In the 17th over, Evans broke the partnership with Brevis' wicket. He scored 32 runs from 23 balls. Then, Rubin lost his wicket to Nyamhuri for a 16-ball 27. Duan Jansen's unbeaten 14-ball 23 took South Africa to 205/5.
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Zimbabwe suffer batting collapse
In the first over of the run chase, Eathan Bosch dismissed Ben Curran for a golden duck. Jansen got rid of the other opener, Brian Bennett, in his first over. Bosch continued to strike, getting Innocent Kaia out for a single-digit score. Jansen struck as well, dismissing Madhavere. Raza hit the first six of the run chase. Zimbabwe were 46/4 after powerplay overs. Skipper Fortuin introduced himself into the attack and knocked over Burl. Zimbabwe lost half the side for 52 in the eighth over.
In the next over, Prenelan Subrayen got Tadiwanashe Marumai caught. Fortuin struck again, sending skipper Raza back to the dugout. Fortuin continued to strike, getting Nyamhuri's wicket as well. Zimbabwe were 81/8 in the 12th over.
Evans’ rescue not enough
Evans got Zimbabwe past the 100-run mark but the required run rate was out of the grasp. In the 16th over, Kundai Matigimu hit Subrayen for two consecutive sixes. Kwena Maphaka came back to the attack and dismissed Matigimu. He scored 19 runs from 11 balls. In the 18th over, Blessing Muzarabani hit Jansen for a maximum. Evans struck a six too to reach his maiden T20I half-century. In the same over, Muzarabani lost his wicket as well. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 157 in 18 overs. Evans remained unbeaten for 56 off 31 balls, featuring four fours and as many sixes.