The Zimbabwe Women tour of New Zealand 2026 began in emphatic fashion as New Zealand crushed Zimbabwe by 92 runs in the first T20I at Seddon Park. After being put in to bat, the hosts piled up a daunting 202/1 in 20 overs, courtesy of a breathtaking century from Amelia Kerr, before restricting Zimbabwe to 110/4 to seal a comprehensive victory.

Amelia Kerr’s masterclass headlines New Zealand’s batting show

New Zealand Women made full use of the batting-friendly conditions after Zimbabwe opted to bowl first. Openers Isabella Gaze and Georgia Plimmer provided a brisk start, stitching together an aggressive partnership that put the visitors under immediate pressure. Plimmer struck 32 off just 20 balls, laced with six crisp boundaries, ensuring the momentum stayed firmly with the hosts.

Gaze continued the charge with a fluent 66 off 50 deliveries, peppering the field with six fours and rotating strike smartly. However, it was Kerr who stole the spotlight. Walking in at No.3, Kerr produced a stunning unbeaten 101 off just 51 balls, hammering 19 fours in a commanding display of timing and placement. Her innings was a blend of elegance and authority, dismantling Zimbabwe’s bowling attack and propelling New Zealand to a formidable 202/1.

Among the Zimbabwe bowlers, Nyasha Gwanzura was the lone wicket-taker, finishing with 1/37 in her three overs. The rest of the attack struggled to contain the flow of runs, with Christabel Chatonzwa conceding 36 in her four overs and Nomvelo Sibanda giving away 26 in three.

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New Zealand bowlers tighten the screws after early strikes

Chasing a steep target of 203, Zimbabwe Women never quite found the rhythm required for such a massive pursuit. The innings suffered an early jolt as Kelis Ndhlovu and Gwanzura were dismissed without troubling the scorers, putting the visitors on the back foot almost immediately.

Chipo Mugeri Tiripano tried to counterattack with 19 off 19 balls, hitting four boundaries, but regular pressure from the New Zealand bowlers meant partnerships were hard to come by. Beloved Biza stood tall amid the collapse, compiling a fighting 49 off 55 deliveries with five fours. Josephine Nkomo supported her with a patient 25 off 34 balls, yet the required rate kept climbing out of reach.

The New Zealand bowling unit executed their plans clinically. Kerr capped off her all-round brilliance by picking up 2/14 in her four overs, stifling the middle order with sharp variations. Bree Illing and Jess Kerr chipped in with one wicket each, while Nensi Patel and Rosemary Mair maintained control to ensure Zimbabwe were restricted to 110/4 in their 20 overs. The 92-run triumph gives New Zealand Women a commanding 1-0 lead in the series and sends a strong message early in the tour.

New Zealand secure a dominant 92 run victory over Zimbabwe in the 1st T20I ⚡#NZvZIM #AmeliaKerr pic.twitter.com/QLqgTK6Am1

— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) February 25, 2026

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

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