Zimbabwe struggled in their Test cricket debut but soon proved capable in one-day internationals and multi-nation tournaments, regularly beating non-Test playing nations and producing formidable performances against Test countries alike.
Sikandar Raza bowled the final over and Ryan Burl performed an effective leg break delivery that kept South Africa at bay during the thrilling Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard encounter.
| No. | Match & Format | Venue | Date | Zimbabwe Score | South Africa Score | Result | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1st T20I – Tri-Series | Harare | 14 Jul 2025 | 141/6 | 142/5 | South Africa won by 5 wickets | Rubin Hermann |
| 2 | 4th T20I – Tri-Series | Harare | 20 Jul 2025 | 144/6 | 145/3 | South Africa won by 7 wickets | Rassie van der Dussen |
| 3 | 1st T20I | Johannesburg | 12 Oct 2023 | 187/7 | 188/5 | South Africa won by 5 wickets | Tristan Stubbs |
| 4 | 2nd T20I | Johannesburg | 14 Oct 2023 | 142/9 | 143/7 | South Africa won by 3 wickets | Marco Jansen |
| 5 | 3rd T20I | Johannesburg | 15 Oct 2023 | 139/6 | 140/2 | South Africa won by 8 wickets | Heinrich Klaasen |
| 6 | 1st T20I | Harare | 6 Oct 2018 | 164 all out | 218/6 | South Africa won by 54 runs | JP Duminy |
| 7 | 2nd T20I | Harare | 7 Oct 2018 | 124/8 | 125/3 | South Africa won by 7 wickets | David Miller |
| 8 | 3rd T20I | Harare | 10 Oct 2018 | 132/7 | 133/1 | South Africa won by 9 wickets | Faf du Plessis |
| 9 | 1st Test Match | Bulawayo | 28 Jun 2025 | 251 & 208 | 418/9d & 369 | South Africa won by 328 runs | Lhuan-dre Pretorius |
| 10 | ICC T20 World Cup Super 8 | Delhi | 1 Mar 2026 | 153/7 | 154/5 | South Africa won by 5 wickets | Tristan Stubbs |
Zimbabwe vs South Africa
The Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) national cricket team represents Zimbabwe internationally in international cricket as an ICA Full Member, offering both Test and One Day International matches. Formerly known as Rhodesia Cricket Team, after attaining independence it changed to Zimbabwe National Cricket Team with headquarters based out of Harare city.
Zimbabwe’s early years as a Test nation saw them possessing some top-class talent in their ranks, including Heath Streak and his brother Grant Streak (an allrounder at that time), along with Andy Blignaut, Neil Johnson and others who made up an outstanding squad which could compete with most Full Members.
Zimbabwe had fallen down in international rankings during the later half of this century, yet continued to play respectable one-day cricket, even managing to defeat most Test-playing nations such as England at home and New Zealand both home and away in one-day internationals.
Zimbabwe witnessed a new generation of players emerge during the first decade of this century. Names like Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor and Sikandar Raza quickly established themselves and performed admirably both in T20 and ODI formats.
However, ongoing issues within Zimbabwe Cricket forced some players to seek careers elsewhere. Leading up to the 2007 Cricket World Cup, opener Anthony Ireland accepted a contract from Gloucestershire; Vusi Sibanda considered ending his international career abroad as well.
Zimbabwe struggled during the 2010s to maintain their momentum from earlier in this century and their performance at major tournaments suffered as a result.
They were eliminated from the ICC Trophy in 2015 and failed to qualify for either of 2022-2023 ODI World Cups; although they did win some key limited-overs matches such as an exciting one-run win against Bangladesh at 2022 T20 World Cup.
| Team | Player | Role | Batting Style | Bowling Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | Zimbabwe National Cricket Team – Craig Ervine | Captain / Batter | Left-handed | Right-arm medium |
| Zimbabwe | Sean Williams | All-rounder | Left-handed | Left-arm orthodox |
| Zimbabwe | Sikandar Raza | All-rounder | Right-handed | Right-arm off break |
| Zimbabwe | Ryan Burl | All-rounder | Left-handed | Right-arm leg break |
| Zimbabwe | Brian Bennett | Batter | Right-handed | Right-arm off break |
| Zimbabwe | Wessly Madhevere | Batting All-rounder | Right-handed | Right-arm off break |
| Zimbabwe | Clive Madande | Wicketkeeper Batter | Right-handed | — |
| Zimbabwe | Tadiwanashe Marumani | Wicketkeeper Batter | Left-handed | — |
| Zimbabwe | Dion Myers | Batter | Right-handed | Right-arm medium |
| Zimbabwe | Tony Munyonga | Batter | Right-handed | Right-arm medium |
| Zimbabwe | Richard Ngarava | Bowler | Left-handed | Left-arm fast-medium |
| Zimbabwe | Blessing Muzarabani | Bowler | Left-handed | Right-arm fast |
| Zimbabwe | Tanaka Chivanga | Bowler | Right-handed | Right-arm fast |
| Zimbabwe | Wellington Masakadza | Bowling All-rounder | Left-handed | Left-arm orthodox |
| Zimbabwe | Trevor Gwandu | Bowler | Right-handed | Right-arm fast-medium |
| South Africa | South Africa National Cricket Team – Rassie van der Dussen | Captain / Batter | Right-handed | Right-arm medium |
| South Africa | Dewald Brevis | Batter | Right-handed | Right-arm leg break |
| South Africa | Lhuan-dre Pretorius | Batter | Left-handed | — |
| South Africa | David Bedingham | Batter | Right-handed | — |
| South Africa | Tony de Zorzi | Batter | Left-handed | Right-arm off break |
| South Africa | Matthew Breetzke | Batter | Right-handed | — |
| South Africa | Willem Mulder | All-rounder | Right-handed | Right-arm medium-fast |
| South Africa | Corbin Bosch | All-rounder | Right-handed | Right-arm fast-medium |
| South Africa | George Linde | All-rounder | Left-handed | Left-arm orthodox |
| South Africa | Kyle Verreynne | Wicketkeeper Batter | Right-handed | — |
| South Africa | Keshav Maharaj | Bowler | Right-handed | Left-arm orthodox |
| South Africa | Kwena Maphaka | Bowler | Left-handed | Left-arm fast |
| South Africa | Lungi Ngidi | Bowler | Right-handed | Right-arm fast-medium |
| South Africa | Codi Yusuf | Bowler | Right-handed | Right-arm fast |
| South Africa | Anrich Nortje | Bowler | Right-handed | Right-arm fast |
Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh
Zimbabwe has been facing financial turmoil over the last several years. This has had serious repercussions for their cricketing structure, leading to cancellation of multiple tournaments and inability to attract major sponsors (which often threaten boycotts from players). At one point Zimbabwe sought assistance from the International Cricket Council but this assistance proved inadequate in changing their circumstances significantly.
The Zimbabwe Cricket Board (ZCB) is the national governing body for competitive cricket in Zimbabwe and responsible for its day-to-day management and administration. Comprised of associations representing all 10 administrative provinces of Zimbabwe, the board serves as its main seat. Zimbabwe currently enjoys full membership of the International Cricket Council.
Zimbabwe was one of the top cricketing nations during the 1980s and 90s. They joined the International Cricket Council (ICC) as founding members in 1982 and took part in three World Cups before being elevated to Full Membership status in 1992. Zimbabwe has also long been involved with ICC Trophy.
Zimbabwe was stripped of Test status by the International Cricket Council due to their poor record in this format in late 2007. Nonetheless, they continued their Twenty20 dominance alongside full members South Africa and Australia.
Since regaining its Test status, Zimbabwean cricketers have struggled to maintain an effective performance. In 2008, Zimbabwe lost to Sri Lanka 5-0 in an ICC World T20 series and was consequently demoted into Division Two of this tournament.
However, in 2009 the team started off on an excellent note by winning both an ODI and T20 against non-Test playing Kenya before touring South Africa where they took two victories out of three ODIs there.
Zimbabwe hosted Australia for a triangular ODI series and though they dropped their first two matches, Zimbabwe made history when they defeated Australia for an unlikely fourth match victory – this marked the first time they had defeated them since 1983 cricket World Cup tournament held in England!
Zimbabwe vs India
Zimbabwe, formerly Rhodesia, is a cricket-playing nation in southern Africa that was known for many years as Rhodesia. Prior to becoming a Test nation, Zimbabwe participated sporadically in domestic tournaments like Currie Cup from 1904 until 1932 and regularly after 1946 up until independence was achieved in 1980. Zimbabwe became an associate member of ICC in 1981 before finally receiving Test status on 21 July 1992.
Zimbabwe took some time to establish themselves in the one-day arena, but once they did so they proved competitive without being overpowering. They did win some matches against Full Members such as India and Pakistan however.
At the 1987 World Cup, Zimbabwe were unfortunate not to advance out of group stage. Still, they came close to victory when chasing down New Zealand’s total of 239 in 50 overs; this marked the first time ever in ODI cricket that Zimbabwe successfully chased down an innings total. Andy Flower made over 100 not out while his brother Grant also contributed greatly – both scored hundreds not out!
Even so, Zimbabwe were still defeated in the final over by just five runs; nevertheless they persevered towards greater achievements: in 1992 they won their inaugural One-Day International series against Sri Lanka before coming close to reaching quarter-finals at 1993 World Cup, before eventually being ousted by Australia.
With Heath Streak and Andy Flower no longer contributing, Zimbabwe gradually assembled a more stable side over time, comprising of young players such as Travis Friend, Hamilton Masakadza, Dougie Hondo and Craig Wishart who formed a solid multi-disciplinary backbone and helped win several matches occasionally.
As problems grew between Zimbabwe Cricket Board and players in 2007, some left the country to pursue careers abroad: Vusi Sibanda signed with Gloucestershire while Anthony Ireland headed over to England – although ultimately Zimbabwe were victorious against non-Test playing Ireland in 2009.
Zimbabwe vs Pakistan
cricket was an immensely popular pastime in what is now Zimbabwe during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, thanks to Lord Hawke and HDG Leveson Gower who brought touring parties from England into Rhodesia (then known) prior to independence. By the end of 19th century there were multiple clubs spread out across Rhodesia as well as professional players.
Zimbabwe were an outstanding one-day team during this period, regularly defeating all Test-playing nations as well as New Zealand home and away in one-day internationals (ODIs). Furthermore, Zimbabwe reached many multi-national ODI tournament finals.
Unfortunately, due to political instability and increasing politicization of cricket performances deteriorated significantly: Zimbabwe fell from its peak position in ODI cricket and lost much ground against India, Pakistan, and Australia during this decade.
Zimbabwe has struggled in recent years to compete with top ODI teams within their own borders, let alone against South Africa and New Zealand.
Their struggle was further compounded in 2006 when Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) abruptly cancelled Logan Cup, an inaugural first-class competition among Zimbabwe’s provincial teams that had been played since 1912 due to concerns that its standard had declined so severely that continuing could damage Zimbabwe’s international image.
ZC was harshly criticized by observers, leading to heavy defeats during subsequent one-day international series against Bangladesh and West Indies tours, with three Zimbabwe players refusing to play due to unpaid salaries: Graeme Cremer, Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza refused playing during Bangladesh one-day series against them as well.
Zimbabwe’s batsmen displayed remarkable resilience despite a low starting position, producing an exceptional innings that took them into extra time during the thrilling Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard encounter. Vusi Sibanda and Hamilton Masakadza both scored quickfire fiftys before Natsai Mushangwe hit an unexpected six over long-on to give Zimbabwe an unlikely win.
| Match Details | Zimbabwe | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Series | South Africa Tour of Zimbabwe 2025 – 2nd Test | South Africa Tour of Zimbabwe 2025 – 2nd Test |
| Venue | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo |
| Date | 6 July 2025 | 6 July 2025 |
| 1st Innings Score | 170 all out | 626/5 declared |
| 2nd Innings Score | 220 all out (follow-on) | — |
| Top Batter | Sean Williams – 83 | Willem Mulder – 367* |
| Second Best Batter | Craig Ervine – 49 | David Bedingham – 82 |
| Top Bowler | Tanaka Chivanga – 2 wickets | Prenelan Subrayen – 4 wickets |
| Best Bowling Figures | Wellington Masakadza – 1/95 | Prenelan Subrayen – 4/42 |
| Captain | Craig Ervine | Willem Mulder |
| Wicketkeeper | Tafadzwa Tsiga | Kyle Verreynne |
| Match Result | Lost by an innings and 236 runs | Won by an innings and 236 runs |
| Player of the Match | — | Willem Mulder |
| Player of the Series | — | Willem Mulder |
