Namibia bounced back from their series defeat to claim a consolation 28-run victory over Zimbabwe in the third T20I at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. The visitors posted a competitive 204/7 before restricting Zimbabwe to 176/8 in a thrilling encounter that prevented a clean sweep.
The Zimbabwe vs Namibia result ended the series 2-1 in favor of the hosts, but Gerhard Erasmus’s men showed tremendous character to avoid a whitewash on September 18, 2025.
Match Details
The final T20I of the Namibia tour of Zimbabwe took place at the picturesque Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. After losing the toss, Zimbabwe was asked to field first as Namibia looked to salvage some pride from the tour.
Key Moments
Powerplay Fireworks
Namibia got off to a flying start in the powerplay, racing to 68/1 in the first six overs. Ruben Trumpelmann and Zane Green provided the early momentum with aggressive strokeplay against Zimbabwe’s new-ball attack.
Middle Overs Consolidation
The visitors maintained their scoring rate through the middle overs, with crucial partnerships building the foundation for their eventual total. Green’s elegant half-century anchored the innings while the lower order chipped in with valuable runs.
Death Overs Drama
Zimbabwe fought back in the final overs with some tight bowling, but Namibia’s lower order managed to push the total past 200. The final few overs saw some excellent hitting mixed with clever bowling variations.
Scoreboard
| Innings | Team | Runs/Wickets | Overs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Namibia | 204/7 | 20.0 |
| 2nd | Zimbabwe | 176/8 | 20.0 |
Run Rate Chart – Last 10 Overs
| Over | Runs | Wickets | Key Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11-15 | 52/2 | 2 | Green dismissed, Erasmus finds form |
| 16-20 | 48/3 | 3 | Late hitting from Trumpelmann |
Top Performers
Namibia:
- Zane Green — 67 (42), 8×4, 2×6
- Ruben Trumpelmann — 46* (28), 4×4, 2×6
- Gerhard Erasmus — 38 (24), 5×4
Zimbabwe:
- Brian Bennett — 52 (35), 6×4, 1×6
- Sikandar Raza — 41 (29), 3×4, 2×6
- Sean Williams — 35 (22), 4×4
Player Reactions
“We’re delighted to finish the tour on a high note,” said Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus after the Zimbabwe vs Namibia result. “The boys showed great character today, and this win will give us confidence moving forward.”
Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza praised his team’s series victory: “While we’re disappointed not to get the clean sweep, winning the series was our main objective. Credit to Namibia for playing excellent cricket today.”
Match Summary
| Team | Runs | Wickets | Overs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Namibia | 204 | 7 | 20.0 | Won by 28 runs |
| Zimbabwe | 176 | 8 | 20.0 | Lost |
What’s Next
This Zimbabwe vs Namibia result concludes the three-match T20I series, with Zimbabwe claiming the series 2-1. Both teams will now turn their attention to upcoming international commitments, with Zimbabwe looking to build on this series victory while Namibia takes confidence from their final match performance.
The match summary shows that despite the series defeat, Namibia’s fighting spirit in the final encounter will serve them well in future tours.
Conclusion
Namibia’s 28-run victory provided the perfect end to an entertaining series. While Zimbabwe claimed the overall honors, the visitors proved they can compete at this level with the right application and execution