Wessly Madhevere’s entry into the opening match of the Zimbabwe Tri-Series against South Africa ended in some bizarre fashion. In his 77th T20I outing, he confidently attempted a flick off his pads but lost his balance. Stepping back too far, his back foot drifted into the crease just as he inadvertently hit his stumps. The result? A heartbreaking return to the pavilion after scoring just one run from nine balls.

Madhevere never quite settled into the innings. He struggled to pick up the nuances in the pitch’s movement, especially against Lungi Ngidi. And while the dismissal was odd, Ngidi certainly enjoyed the moment—a tidy wicket that rewarded his early efforts. Zimbabwe, invited to bat first, never really ignited their innings and eked out a modest 141 for 6 in their full quota of 20 overs.

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Captain Sikandar Raza was the standout performer, unbeaten on 54 off 38 balls, racing along with three fours and two towering sixes. But the rest of the batting lineup couldn’t capitalise. On the other side, Ngidi ran through four disciplined overs, conceding just 15 runs and grabbing that unique wicket of Madhevere.

You don’t see that every day 👀

Madhevere was just trying to fend it off… but lost his balance and accidentally stepped on his stumps 😅#ZIMvSA pic.twitter.com/ni7YCgHFzx

— FanCode (@FanCode) July 14, 2025

South Africa stumbled early in their chase, losing three wickets inside the powerplay. However, the match swung firmly in their favour thanks to a scintillating 72-run partnership between debutant Rubin Hermann and Dewald Brevis. The pair compiled those runs in a mere 37 balls, showcasing flair and power under pressure.

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Adding to the chase’s finish, Corbin Bosch chipped in with a breezy 23 not out from 15 balls, while George Linde’s unbeaten contribution of 3\* helped steer South Africa past the line with 25 balls remaining. Despite Linde’s impressive bowling figures of 3 for 10, Brevis walked away with the Player of the Match award, recognised for his dominant power-hitting.

Looking ahead, the Proteas gear up to face New Zealand in their next Tri-Nation Series fixture. After this commanding win, they’ll be eager to stay unbeaten and boost their chances of reaching the finals on the subcontinent’s fast pitches.