ZIM vs SA Pitch Report: How Will Surface At Harare Sports Club Play For 1st T20I in Tri-Series?

July 14, 2025: ZIM vs SA – The much-anticipated Tri-Nation T20I Series featuring Zimbabwe, South Africa, and New Zealand begins today at the Harare Sports Club, with hosts Zimbabwe taking on South Africa in the tournament opener. With the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka less than a year away, this series serves as a vital platform for all three nations to assess their squad depth and sharpen strategies.

🏏 Raza Returns to Lead Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe will be led by Sikandar Raza, who returns to national duty after missing the recent Test series due to his commitments in Major League Cricket (MLC). The home team is also counting on key performers like Blessing Muzarabani, Brian Bennett, and Ryan Burl to give them a strong start in the series.

The Zimbabwean squad combines youthful energy and experience, and a good performance in this opener could provide the momentum needed to challenge more established opponents like South Africa and New Zealand.

🇿🇦 South Africa’s Fresh-Faced Squad Under Van der Dussen

South Africa enters the series with a largely new-look side, retaining only four players from their last completed T20I match. Rassie van der Dussen takes the captain’s mantle, with a lineup featuring explosive talents such as Dewald Brevis and Lhuan-dre Pretorius.

On the bowling front, young pacers Gerald Coetzee, Corbin Bosch, and Kwena Maphaka are expected to lead the charge. South Africa’s selectors appear to be testing depth and versatility ahead of the global tournament.

🏟️ Harare Pitch Report & Venue Stats

Harare Sports Club, one of Zimbabwe’s premier cricket venues, is known for competitive T20 contests. With this being the first match of the series, a fresh pitch is expected to offer true bounce and help batters initially. Teams chasing have found success here, though the numbers slightly favor batting first.

• Matches played: 60
• Batting first won: 34
• Bowling first won: 24
• Average 1st innings score: 151
• Highest total: 234/2 (India vs Zimbabwe)
• Highest chase: 194/5 (Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe)

Expect a first-innings score around 170 to be competitive, with teams likely to opt to bowl first after winning the toss.

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🧢 Squads

South Africa:
Lhuan-dre Pretorius (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen (c), Dewald Brevis, George Linde, Senuran Muthusamy, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Nandre Burger, Nqabayomzi Peter, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Simelane, Rubin Hermann, Kwena Maphaka

Zimbabwe:
Brian Bennett, Wessly Madhevere, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Clive Madande (wk), Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Tinotenda Maposa, Newman Nyamhuri, Vincent Masekesa

With both teams eager to make a strong statement, today’s clash promises to set the tone for a thrilling tri-series. All eyes will be on Harare as cricket fans await fireworks with bat and ball.