A clinical South Africa put up a dominant all-round display to outclass Zimbabwe by 48 runs in the final and claim the T20I tri-series title at the Namibia Cricket Ground here on Sunday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Riding on a rapid half-century from Jordan Hermann and a 23-ball 32 from Dewald Brevis, South Africa posted a formidable 205\/5 in their 20 overs after electing to bat first. In reply, Zimbabwe's top order collapsed under pressure before being bowled out for 157 in 18 overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite missing opener Lhuan-dre Pretorius due to a niggle, South Africa asserted their authority early. Hermann smashed a 24-ball fifty, laced with eight fours and a six, while sharing an 84-run opening stand with Connor Esterhuizen (32).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Brevis maintained the momentum in the middle overs by hitting two fours and as many sixes, while Rubin Hermann chipped in with 27 off 16 balls, including three fours and a six, to propel the Proteas past the 200-run mark via a 47-run stand for the fifth wicket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
For Zimbabwe, right-arm pacer Brad Evans (2-36) and left-arm fast bowler Newman Nyamhuri (2-51) were standout bowlers. Chasing a daunting target of 206, Zimbabwe suffered a disastrous start when opener Ben Curran was dismissed for a first-ball duck by Eathan Bosch. Duan Jansen and Bosch made swift inroads into the top order by reducing Zimbabwe to four wickets down inside the powerplay.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Skipper Sikandar Raza survived an early reprieve when a caught-behind dismissal off Bosch was overturned due to a no-ball. But Proteas captain Bjorn Fortuin (3-24) quickly ended his resistance to leave the chase in tatters.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Evans produced a spirited late fightback for Zimbabwe, striking his maiden T20I fifty in a 52-run ninth-wicket partnership with Kundai Matigimu. However, Kwena Maphaka broke the stand before Zimbabwe's innings eventually folded in the 18th over.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Skipper Sikandar Raza survived an early reprieve when a caught-behind dismissal off Bosch was overturned due to a no-ball. But Proteas captain Bjorn Fortuin (3-24) quickly ended his resistance to leave the chase in tatters.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Brief Scores: South Africa 205\/5 (Jordan Hermann 53, Connor Esterhuizen 32; Brad Evans 2-36, Newman Nyamhuri 2-51) beat Zimbabwe 157 (Brad Evans 56 not out, Bjorn Fortuin 3-24, Duan Jansen 3-38) by 48 runs<\/p>\r\n\r\n