Matt Henry put on a clinic on death bowling to help New Zealand clinch a three-run win over South Africa in a thrilling T20I Tri-Series final at Harare Sports Club on Saturday afternoon.
New Zealand finished the three-team competition, which included Zimbabwe, unbeaten.
New Zealand were asked to bat first and scored a total of 180-5.
South Africa pulled out all the stops and got close, but couldn't chase down the target before them and were restricted to 177-6.
The Rob Walter-coached side secured victory courtesy of brilliant fielding and Henry's fantastic bowling.
"As a group, we have been playing some really good cricket. To get over the line, in a tight game, really proud of the guys," Henry shared after the match.
Henry was asked to defend seven runs in the final over, and he did so. He took two wickets and conceded a mere three runs in the over.
First, Henry faced down Dewald Brevis, who had batted South Africa into contention. The 22-year-old had turned things around to put South Africa into a winning position with his hitting power.
Henry stopped Brevis in his tracks before he could see South Africa home when he dismissed him with the second ball of the over.
He then got rid of George Linde three balls later.
"I knew it was going to be one of the last two. Great to get the last one, and when it goes your way, it is brilliant," said Henry.
MAIDEN T20 FIFTY FOR PRETORIUS
South Africa's youngsters, Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Brevis, played knocks that came close to securing victory for their country.
Pretorius registered his maiden T20I half-century with a 35-ball 51, while Brevis carved 31 runs from 16 balls.
"We played a pretty good game. They (New Zealand) are a good and experienced team. For the young guys to come this close, they will learn a lot from it. Everyone has contributed, especially the young guys," Rassie van der Dussen, the South Africa captain, explained.
Pretorius reached his maiden T20I half-century in style. The 19-year-old danced down the wicket and launched a Michael Bracewell delivery over the fielder at wide long-on for a six. He reached the milestone in 33 balls.
However, Bracewell had the last laugh when he deceived Pretorius in the air to offer Tim Seifert a stumping opportunity and the wicketkeeper made no mistake.
Besides reaching an individual landmark, Pretorius also combined with Reeza Hendricks to register South Africa's highest opening stand against New Zealand in T20Is.
Their partnership was worth 92 runs. Hendricks, who did a fine job of ensuring that South Africa did not fall behind the asking rate when Pretorius was struggling with his timing, scored 37 off 30.
The wheels came off for South Africa in the 13th over; they lost three wickets for 15 runs as New Zealand applied the squeeze.
Two of the three wickets fell in two balls, both batters caught at long-on.
Things only turned around for them after Brevis came in to bat.Henry, who was recognised as both the Player of the Match and Player of the Series, finished the match with two wickets for 19 runs.
He finished with the most wickets in the Tri-Series with 10 scalps.
Jacob Duffy, Zakary Foulkes, Adam Milne, and Michael Bracewell bagged a wicket each.
"We were reasonably happy (with our score), but knew we needed to bowl well. Guys stepped up at different occasions.
As a captain and as a squad, that is outstanding. The guys were ready and clear on how to operate (on a pitch like that), and that makes it easier (as captain)," said Mitch Santner, the New Zealand captain.
RAVINDRA, CONWAY LEAD THE WAY
New Zealand's victory was set up by brilliant knocks from Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway.
Both Ravindra and Conway came within three runs of half-centuries.
Ravindra, who scored an outstanding 63 in his last outing, looked good for a second consecutive half century and the fourth of his career However, he was dismissed for a well-played 27-ball 47.
New Zealand were on 75-1 when the 25-year-old walked out to bat. His strike rate of 174 helped New Zealand maintain a high tempo.
He shared a 26-run second-wicket partnership with Conway, who was fresh off a 75-run opening stand with Tim Seifert.
Conway's 47 runs came off 31 deliveries and was the key to New Zealand's productive opening partnership.
The left-hander struck six fours and a single six in an entertaining outing.
The opener lost his wicket when he tried to help a Lungi Ngidi delivery to the boundary, but he miscued it and was caught by Nandre Burger at fine leg.
Ngidi was South Africa's most successful bowler with two wickets for 24 runs for an economy of six runs an over in his four overs.
He was supported by Nandre Burger, Kwena Maphaka, and Senuran Muthusamy, who took a wicket each.
NEW ZEALAND: Tim Seifert (wk), Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryll Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (capt), Zakary Foulkes, Adam Milne, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy.
SOUTH AFRICA: Reeza Hendricks, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Rassie van der Dussen, Rubin Hermann, Dewald Brevis, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Senuran Muthusamy, Nandre Burger, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi.
