Brevis’ unbeaten 75 powers South Africa to seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe

Dewald Brevis struck an unbeaten 75 runs to guide South Africa to a seven-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the T20I Tri-Series at the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek on August 29. South Africa successfully chased Zimbabwe’s total of 144 for eight in just 13.4 overs.

After opting to bat first, Zimbabwe began with an aggressive opening partnership between Brian Bennett, who scored 34, and Ben Curran, who made 24, taking the score to 45 without loss in five overs. South African pacer Duan Jansen ended the partnership by removing Curran in the sixth over.

In the middle overs, Prenelan Subrayen and captain Bjorn Fortuin applied pressure, supported by debutant Eathan Bosch, as Zimbabwe lost four wickets for 18 runs, falling from 76 for one to 94 for five. The wickets included Dion Myers (17), Bennett (34), Sikandar Raza (10) and Ryan Burl (4).

Tadiwanashe Marumani provided a late resurgence, striking 30 runs off 13 balls, but Zimbabwe finished at 144 for eight. Jansen was South Africa’s leading bowler with figures of three for 45, while Subrayen took two for 27.

During South Africa’s reply, early wickets fell in the powerplay as the team was 61 for two in six overs, with Lhuan-dre Pretorius scoring 22 and Jordan Hermann 20. However, Brevis dominated the innings, hitting seven fours and six sixes from 32 balls, reaching his half-century in 24 deliveries.

By the 12th over, South Africa were 124 for three, and Brevis completed the chase with a boundary in the 14th over. He finished unbeaten on 75 and was named Player of the Match. Zimbabwe’s bowlers Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri and Brad Evans each took one wicket.

The victory marked a strong comeback for South Africa following their opening loss to Namibia in the tri-series. Zimbabwe are set to play hosts Namibia in the next tri-series match on August 30.