86/10 (18.3)
CR : 4.65
196/1 (20.0)
CR : 9.80
New Zealand Women won by 110 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Isabella Gaze
85(54)
Over 19
Zimbabwe Women 86/10
Tendai Makusha5(6)
Nomvelo Sibanda4(14)
Jess Kerr2-17(3.3)
NZW won by 110 runs
2:47 PM IST, 10:17 PM LOCAL TIME: When dominance meets discipline, margins grow loud, and Hamilton needed earplugs tonight. New Zealand Women didn’t just win. They staged a masterclass with footnotes. 196/1 in 20 overs. Then they wrapped Zimbabwe for just 86 in 18.3. A thumping 110-run victory. Series pocketed 2-0. One game still to go. Clinical batting. Ruthless bowling. Smiles everywhere in white and black. Zimbabwe tried. They really did. But this was like bringing a water pistol to a fireworks show.
How did the chase begin? Any early drama? Oh yes. Drama arrived before the popcorn finished popping. Jess Kerr struck at 0.3 overs. Gwanzura gone. 1/1. Not ideal. Zimbabwe blinked. New Zealand pounced. The Powerplay ended around 30/2. Required rate climbing faster than a New Year's resolution list. Fielders were chirping. Bowlers were smiling. The scoreboard was ticking. Zimbabwe needed a hero. Instead, they got homework.
Was there resistance? A moment to believe? Briefly. Kelis Ndhlovu tried to anchor with 19 off 29. Dhururu injected tempo with 20 off 13. For a second, you thought, “Okay… maybe?” But wickets kept falling like loose change from a pocket. 35/3. 45/4. 61/5. Nensi Patel was calm and classy - 2/11 in 4 overs. Knight was sharp - 2/25. Mair was miserly - 1/8. Drinks at 49/4 (10 overs). Required rate? Let’s just say it needed WiFi-level speed.
And the final stretch? Any late fireworks? More like a gentle sparkler. Zimbabwe slipped to 79/9 by 16 overs. No partnerships. No miracle. Just steady dismantling. All out for 86. Run rate 4.64. Extras did heavy lifting again. New Zealand fielders were everywhere. Clean catches. Sharp throws. Tight overs. Zimbabwe’s innings felt like trying to climb Everest in flip-flops.
Let’s rewind. Earlier, how did New Zealand build that mountain? With elegance. And mischief. Powerplay brilliance. 55/0 in 6 overs. Fifty up in 5.3 overs. Isabella Gaze was timing it like she had a remote control. Drinks at 64/0 in 7 overs. Gaze reached 50 off 27 balls. Ten boundaries. Pure class. Amelia Kerr played the perfect supporting act. Zimbabwe rotated bowlers like playlists. Nothing was stopping the soundtrack.
Was the partnership the real headline? Oh absolutely. 163-run opening stand. That’s not a partnership. That’s a long-term relationship. Gaze 85 off 54. Kerr 82 off 52. Strike rates above 157. Team crossed 100 in 10.1 overs. Then 150 in 14.1. The only breakthrough came at 16.1 when Kerr departed. But by then? Damage written. Ink dried. Sharp added 22 off 14* for good measure. Total - 196/1. Zimbabwe bowlers were probably checking flight options.
How did the chase begin? Any early drama? Oh yes. Drama arrived before the popcorn finished popping. Jess Kerr struck at 0.3 overs. Gwanzura gone. 1/1. Not ideal. Zimbabwe blinked. New Zealand pounced. The Powerplay ended around 30/2. Required rate climbing faster than a New Year's resolution list. Fielders were chirping. Bowlers were smiling. The scoreboard was ticking. Zimbabwe needed a hero. Instead, they got homework.
Was there resistance? A moment to believe? Briefly. Kelis Ndhlovu tried to anchor with 19 off 29. Dhururu injected tempo with 20 off 13. For a second, you thought, “Okay… maybe?” But wickets kept falling like loose change from a pocket. 35/3. 45/4. 61/5. Nensi Patel was calm and classy - 2/11 in 4 overs. Knight was sharp - 2/25. Mair was miserly - 1/8. Drinks at 49/4 (10 overs). Required rate? Let’s just say it needed WiFi-level speed.
And the final stretch? Any late fireworks? More like a gentle sparkler. Zimbabwe slipped to 79/9 by 16 overs. No partnerships. No miracle. Just steady dismantling. All out for 86. Run rate 4.64. Extras did heavy lifting again. New Zealand fielders were everywhere. Clean catches. Sharp throws. Tight overs. Zimbabwe’s innings felt like trying to climb Everest in flip-flops.
Let’s rewind. Earlier, how did New Zealand build that mountain? With elegance. And mischief. Powerplay brilliance. 55/0 in 6 overs. Fifty up in 5.3 overs. Isabella Gaze was timing it like she had a remote control. Drinks at 64/0 in 7 overs. Gaze reached 50 off 27 balls. Ten boundaries. Pure class. Amelia Kerr played the perfect supporting act. Zimbabwe rotated bowlers like playlists. Nothing was stopping the soundtrack.
Was the partnership the real headline? Oh absolutely. 163-run opening stand. That’s not a partnership. That’s a long-term relationship. Gaze 85 off 54. Kerr 82 off 52. Strike rates above 157. Team crossed 100 in 10.1 overs. Then 150 in 14.1. The only breakthrough came at 16.1 when Kerr departed. But by then? Damage written. Ink dried. Sharp added 22 off 14* for good measure. Total - 196/1. Zimbabwe bowlers were probably checking flight options.
Biggest Wins for New Zealand in WT20Is (By Runs):
132 runs vs Bangladesh, Christchurch, 2022
110 runs vs Zimbabwe, Hamilton, 2026, Tonight*
106 runs vs West Indies, Mount Maunganui, 2018
102 runs vs Sri Lanka, Paarl, 2023
102 runs vs Sri Lanka, Christchurch, 2015
132 runs vs Bangladesh, Christchurch, 2022
110 runs vs Zimbabwe, Hamilton, 2026, Tonight*
106 runs vs West Indies, Mount Maunganui, 2018
102 runs vs Sri Lanka, Paarl, 2023
102 runs vs Sri Lanka, Christchurch, 2015
Biggest Defeats for Zimbabwe in WT20Is (By Runs):
110 runs - New Zealand, Hamilton, 2026, Tonight*
92 runs – New Zealand, Hamilton, 2026
65 runs – Ireland, Dublin, 2025
60 runs – Ireland, Harare, 2024
57 runs – Ireland, Harare, 2024
110 runs - New Zealand, Hamilton, 2026, Tonight*
92 runs – New Zealand, Hamilton, 2026
65 runs – Ireland, Dublin, 2025
60 runs – Ireland, Harare, 2024
57 runs – Ireland, Harare, 2024
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: ISABELLA GAZE
Isabella Gaze (Player of the Match): (On her aggressive approach at the top) “I looked at the way Amelia played in the last game and wanted to bring that same aggression at the top of the order. It came off today, which was really nice.
(On stepping up after playing a supporting role previously) Definitely. When you’ve got someone like Amelia Kerr at the other end, it’s great. She picked up her role again today, which was awesome.
(On opening the batting with Amelia) I think it might have been the first time we’ve opened together. It was great to be out there with her - she’s got so much experience, and there’s a lot to learn from her.
(On the team’s improved fielding performance) Yeah, that was definitely a focus area. I thought we bowled really well, and it was great to see Kayley and Nensi step up and take wickets.
(On playing under lights in Hamilton) I’m really stoked to be here. There are heaps of family in the crowd, and the support has been amazing. My whole family is here, and a lot of the team has strong support too. It’s really special to play in front of them.”
(On stepping up after playing a supporting role previously) Definitely. When you’ve got someone like Amelia Kerr at the other end, it’s great. She picked up her role again today, which was awesome.
(On opening the batting with Amelia) I think it might have been the first time we’ve opened together. It was great to be out there with her - she’s got so much experience, and there’s a lot to learn from her.
(On the team’s improved fielding performance) Yeah, that was definitely a focus area. I thought we bowled really well, and it was great to see Kayley and Nensi step up and take wickets.
(On playing under lights in Hamilton) I’m really stoked to be here. There are heaps of family in the crowd, and the support has been amazing. My whole family is here, and a lot of the team has strong support too. It’s really special to play in front of them.”
Nomvelo Sibanda (Zimbabwe Women Captain): (On the team’s overall performance) “I thought we found it very tough tonight. We didn’t start off well, and there are definitely a lot of areas we need to work on going forward.
(On New Zealand’s dominant start) They played really well and dominated the powerplay. That did put us a bit on the back foot early on. We did create some chances, but unfortunately, we didn’t take them.
(On her contribution with the bat) That’s something to be pleased about, but overall, as a team, I think we went backwards a little bit today. There’s still plenty for us to improve on.
(On looking ahead) We’ll take the lessons from this game and try to come back stronger in the next one.”
(On New Zealand’s dominant start) They played really well and dominated the powerplay. That did put us a bit on the back foot early on. We did create some chances, but unfortunately, we didn’t take them.
(On her contribution with the bat) That’s something to be pleased about, but overall, as a team, I think we went backwards a little bit today. There’s still plenty for us to improve on.
(On looking ahead) We’ll take the lessons from this game and try to come back stronger in the next one.”
Amelia Kerr (New Zealand Women Captain): (On the series win) “Yeah, it’s really nice to get the win. We’ve taken the series, and overall, it was a good team performance.
(On opening the batting in a T20 international) I think it was my first time opening in a T20 international. I probably struggled a little in my first 10 balls - they moved the ball nicely and bowled well, but I stuck at it. Izzy was flying at the other end, which took a lot of pressure off me.
(On playing the support role in the partnership) It was nice. In partnerships, it often flows that way - one player gets going while the other rotates strike and supports. Eventually, I found my rhythm, too.
(On Nensi Patel and Kayley Knight taking their first international wickets) It’s really pleasing for them. They both bowled well, and it’s great to see them get rewarded with wickets, especially after putting in the work.”
(On opening the batting in a T20 international) I think it was my first time opening in a T20 international. I probably struggled a little in my first 10 balls - they moved the ball nicely and bowled well, but I stuck at it. Izzy was flying at the other end, which took a lot of pressure off me.
(On playing the support role in the partnership) It was nice. In partnerships, it often flows that way - one player gets going while the other rotates strike and supports. Eventually, I found my rhythm, too.
(On Nensi Patel and Kayley Knight taking their first international wickets) It’s really pleasing for them. They both bowled well, and it’s great to see them get rewarded with wickets, especially after putting in the work.”
Big statement. Bold font. Underlined. New Zealand were sharp in every department. Batting smooth. Bowling ruthless. Fielding energetic. Zimbabwe will regroup. They’ll reflect. They’ll learn. But tonight? It belonged to the White Ferns. Series sealed. Confidence soaring. One match left - maybe for pride. Or maybe for revenge. Either way… bring popcorn. We’ll see you there.
Until then, I am Dev Rajawat, signing off, along with my co-commentator Deepak Prakash, scorer Bishal Mandal, and statistician Aman. That’s it from our side. Thanks for joining. But cricket doesn’t sleep. Plenty is happening around the world. Switch tabs, follow the fun. Goodbye from this tab! TAKE CARE! BREATHE AND SMILE! CIAO!!!
Until then, I am Dev Rajawat, signing off, along with my co-commentator Deepak Prakash, scorer Bishal Mandal, and statistician Aman. That’s it from our side. Thanks for joining. But cricket doesn’t sleep. Plenty is happening around the world. Switch tabs, follow the fun. Goodbye from this tab! TAKE CARE! BREATHE AND SMILE! CIAO!!!