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New Zealand's T20I form has also been quite solid. They have won 4 of their last 5 matches, and their latest match was against Pakistan in which they achieved a stunning victory by 8 wickets. This match was played in Wellington and New Zealand finished the chase in just 10 overs. James Neesham restricted Pakistan to just 128 by taking 5 wickets, and then Tim Seifert made an unbeaten 97 runs in just 30 balls, making the match one-sided. His innings with 8 sixes and 10 fours changed the entire flow of the match. The overall performance of the team was balanced – strong bowling along with attacking batting. This consistency is now making them a strong contender.
New Zealand's T20I form has also been quite solid. They have won 4 of their last 5 matches, and their latest match was against Pakistan in which they achieved a stunning victory by 8 wickets. This match was played in Wellington and New Zealand finished the chase in just 10 overs. James Neesham restricted Pakistan to just 128 by taking 5 wickets, and then Tim Seifert made an unbeaten 97 runs in just 30 balls, making the match one-sided. His innings with 8 sixes and 10 fours changed the entire flow of the match. The overall performance of the team was balanced – strong bowling along with attacking batting. This consistency is now making them a strong contender.
The pitch of Harare is a little fresh and hard at the start of the match. Fast bowlers may get a little moisture from the new ball, so swing or seam may be seen in the first few overs. But as the day progresses and the sun falls, the pitch becomes flat and batting becomes easy.
This ground is hosting the first match, so the wicket will remain fresh. The ball will come well in the first innings and the batsmen will enjoy stroke play. It will be relatively easy to score runs in the powerplay. Spinners may get a little turn in the middle overs, but not much.
Chasing becomes a bit tricky here because the pitch slows down in the second innings. That's why the team that wins the toss often prefers to bat first. A score around 170 is considered competitive, but if the top order holds on then it can go above 200 as well.
A total of 15 matches have been played between South Africa and New Zealand in T20I cricket. Out of these, South Africa has won 11 matches, while New Zealand has won only 4 times. This record clearly shows that South Africa has always had the upper hand in this rivalry. Be it their bowling attack or top-order batting, they have shown their prowess everywhere.
The last T20I match of both the teams took place in 2017 at Eden Park in Auckland, where South Africa achieved a stunning victory by 78 runs. In that match, Hashim Amla scored 62 runs and Imran Tahir broke the batting of New Zealand by taking 5 wickets in just 3.5 overs. New Zealand's team was all out for 107 in just 14.5 overs.
South Africa's record is not limited to home ground only. They have shown by winning matches against New Zealand in their home ground as well. New Zealand also has match-winners, but when it comes to head-to-head, South Africa has shown more dominance so far.
Now when both the teams are going to clash once again, it will be interesting to see whether New Zealand will improve its record or South Africa will again maintain its reign.
Reeza Hendricks, Lhuan-dre Pretorius (wk), Rassie van der Dussen (c), Dewald Brevis, Rubin Hermann, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Andile Simelane, Nqabayomzi Peter, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi
Injury Updates: Wanindu Hasaranga is unavailable
Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Adam Milne, William O'Rourke, Ish Sodhi
Injury Updates: None
Keepers: Tim Seifert, Lhuan-dre Pretorius
Batters: Rassie van der Dussen, Rachin Ravindra, Dewald Brevis
All-rounders: Michael Bracewell, Corbin Bosch, George Linde
Bowlers: Adam Milne, Matt Henry, Lungi Ngidi
Rachin Ravindra
Rassie van der Dussen
George Linde
Tim Seifert
Keepers: Devon Conway, Lhuan-dre Pretorius
Batters: Rassie van der Dussen, Rachin Ravindra, Reeza Hendricks, Daryl Mitchell
All-rounders: Michael Bracewell, George Linde
Bowlers: Adam Milne, Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger
Michael Bracewell
Lhuan-dre Pretorius
Adam Milne
Reeza Hendricks
Disclaimer: CricOpinion provides predictions based on analysis, understanding, and intuition. Refer to records and stats before making decisions. You are not bound to follow these predictions. CricOpinion is not responsible for any losses, damages, or consequences resulting from the use of this information.
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