By Sports Desk, March 6, 2025
AUCKLAND, New Zealand — In a nail-biting cricket match on Thursday, March 6, 2025, New Zealand narrowly defeated South Africa by 12 runs at Eden Park. The game, part of a five-match T20 series, kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final ball. Both teams showcased fierce competition, but the hosts held their nerve to secure victory.
Match Summary Table
Detail | New Zealand | South Africa |
---|---|---|
Date | March 6, 2025 | March 6, 2025 |
Venue | Eden Park, Auckland | Eden Park, Auckland |
Result | Won by 12 runs | Lost by 12 runs |
Top Scorer | Finn Allen (78*) | Quinton de Kock (65) |
Best Bowler | Trent Boult (3/28) | Kagiso Rabada (2/30) |
Total Score | 192/5 (20 overs) | 180/7 (20 overs) |
First Innings: New Zealand Sets a Competitive Total
New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat first. Openers Finn Allen and Devon Conway started cautiously. South Africa’s pace attack, led by Kagiso Rabada, kept the run rate under control early. However, Allen shifted gears in the 8th over, smashing two sixes off spinner Keshav Maharaj.
Allen’s unbeaten 78 off 48 balls anchored the innings. Glenn Phillips provided late fireworks with a 22-ball 34. Rabada (2/30) and Anrich Nortje (1/35) were South Africa’s standout bowlers. The Kiwis finished at 192/5, a challenging target on Eden Park’s tricky pitch.
South Africa’s Chase: De Kock Shines, but Fall Short
South Africa’s reply began explosively. Captain Quinton de Kock smashed Trent Boult for 14 runs in the first over. He partnered with Reeza Hendricks (29) for a 63-run stand. However, Boult struck back, dismissing Hendricks in the 7th over.
De Kock continued his assault, reaching 65 off 37 balls. But his dismissal in the 14th over, caught off Ish Sodhi’s leg-spin, shifted momentum. Middle-order batters Aiden Markram (24) and Heinrich Klaasen (18) fought hard, but tight bowling from Lockie Ferguson (2/33) and Boult (3/28) restricted South Africa to 180/7.