- July 14, 2025
Who said T20Is are all about high-profile adventures involving the world’s sporting powerhouses? Sometimes, the more understated, quirky tri-series can have the most fascinating sub-plots. As Zimbabwe hosts South Africa and New Zealand for a T20I tri-series beginning on July 14, there are more narratives than just silverware at stake. For all three teams, it’s not even a series; it’s a transitional playground. Regardless of which squad you are on, there are plenty of unspoiled pages yet to be penned about testing new players, resuming careers, and changing leadership.
South Africa’s Fresh Start: New Faces, New Direction
Let’s start with South Africa, which is effectively hitting the reset button. The Proteas haven’t played a T20I this year, and their recent T20 track record is patchy at best— a World Cup final heartbreak against India, a 3-0 drubbing by West Indies, and a home series loss to India. But this tour is different, not just because many regulars like Aiden Markram are resting, but because this squad signals a new direction.
Rassie van der Dussen takes the reins, and it’s not just a placeholder role—he’s tasked with guiding a group that includes SA20 sensation Lhuan-dre Pretorius and fiery quicks like Nandre Burger and Gerald Coetzee. Dewald Brevis, often dubbed the future of South African cricket, now gets his long-awaited shot to prove he’s more than just hype on the international stage.
New Zealand’s Quiet Shift: New Coach, Familiar Faces, and Fresh Hope
New Zealand is also entering this series with a sense of sober evolution. Not having played any international cricket since April and having taken a couple of months off, they’re now back…with Rob Walter. Yes, Rob Walter, the former white-ball coach of South Africa, is now their coach, which adds a fun storyline to the situation as he looks across the field and coaches against his former players.
Devon Conway’s last-minute replacement for the hurt Finn Allen provides something of a second wind for the stylish left-hander, who hasn’t had a great IPL and MLC season. Adam Milne makes for another interesting storyline, especially with Lockie Ferguson rested. Milne’s ankle surgery may have cost him a place in the 2024 T20 World Cup, but he has looked quick in the MLC, and New Zealand will hope his pace alters the attack.
Zimbabwe’s Bounce-Back Bid: Can T20Is Spark a Revival?
This series offers Zimbabwe a welcome escape from the bruises of their tough Test campaign. It means Zimbabwe will pivot from getting sizeable defeats in the Tests against South Africa and move into T20Is, where they have performed better. These matches will serve an important role as Zimbabwe prepares to begin a new chapter as they tee up for the Africa Qualifiers of the T20 World Cup 2026.
There is a lot to like about their side, especially with the return of Richard Ngarava and Brian Bennett. Their middle-order, however, is their Achilles’ heel. There’s a lot of potential in Clive Madande and Ryan Burl, but they have to turn starts into match-winning totals against quality opposition.
The international series for Zimbabwe is more than just a series; this is a way to get their game in the right place in familiar conditions, restore some pride, and most importantly, build momentum into their World Cup qualification process.
What do you find more interesting – South Africa’s experimental squad, New Zealand’s coaching shake-up, or Zimbabwe’s home-ground advantage? But it doesn’t matter. This tri-series will provide cricket and insight into the future.
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