New Zealand Women dominated Zimbabwe Women in the second T20 International (T20I) at Seddon Park, Hamilton, on 27 February 2026, winning by 110 runs and taking a 2–0 lead in the three-match series. New Zealand’s batters scored freely in their innings before the bowlers ran through the Zimbabwe batting line-up, highlighting the gulf in experience and execution between the two sides.
After winning the toss, New Zealand chose to bat first on a batting-friendly surface. The home side made the most of the flat pitch and short boundaries, scoring quickly from the outset. Openers Isabella Gaze and Amelia Kerr laid the foundation with a huge partnership. Gaze scored 85 not out off 54 balls at a strike rate of 157.41, including 13 fours, while Kerr made 82 off 52 deliveries at a strike rate of 157.69, also hitting 13 fours and a six. Their 163-run opening stand came off just 14.1 overs, putting Zimbabwe under intense pressure early in the match.
Gaze and Kerr rotated the strike well and punished anything slightly loose. Both batters kept the scoring rate well above 8 runs per over throughout, forcing Zimbabwe’s bowlers to constantly find better lengths and lines. The scoreboard pressure meant Zimbabwe had to work hard for every dot ball, but the partnership rarely allowed any reprieve. After Kerr was dismissed by Gwanzura with the score on 163, New Zealand maintained momentum through the final 5 overs. Izzy Sharp provided useful support, scoring 22 not out off 14 balls at a strike rate of 157.14, helping New Zealand finish with a total of 196 for 1 in 20 overs.
Chasing 197, Zimbabwe’s reply never took off. New Zealand’s bowlers struck early with disciplined lines and lengths that opposed uncomplicated batting. Nensi Patel was the first to make an impact, dismissing Nyasha Gwanzura for a duck in the opening over, leaving Zimbabwe at 0 for 1 in a crucial early blow. Patel finished with figures of 2 for 11 in her 4 overs, boasting an excellent economy rate of 3.50 runs per over. As Zimbabwe tried to rebuild, New Zealand’s young bowlers kept the pressure tight. Kayley Knight bowled with accuracy, taking 2 for 25 in her 4 overs.
Zimbabwe’s top order struggled to score quickly, and the slow start kept the required run rate climbing. Kelis Ndhlovu, one of the more experienced batters in the side, offered some resistance with 19 off 29 balls at a strike rate of 65.52, but she never found the momentum needed to steer a recovery. Chiedza Dhururu provided a brief spark, scoring 20 off 13 balls at a strike rate of 153.85, including three boundaries, but came at a time when too many wickets were falling around her.
New Zealand’s spin attack also played a key role in tightening the batting side. The combination of control and variation ensured Zimbabwe found it difficult to score in the middle overs. Zimbabwe’s middle and lower order could not form any lasting partnerships. The batting line-up faltered, and Zimbabwe were all out for 86 in 18.3 overs, far short of the target and needing 20-plus more runs just to avoid defeat by over 100 runs.
In support of Patel and Knight, the New Zealand bowling group saw contributions from the entire unit, including disciplined overs and wickets from supporting bowlers that maintained pressure through dot balls and forced risky shots. The Zimbabwe innings lacked momentum, as New Zealand rotated bowlers effectively to exploit weaknesses whenever they appeared.
New Zealand’s second victory underlined their superior all-round cricket in this series. The big opening partnership set the tone with the bat, and the bowlers backed it up with a precise performance that allowed very few scoring opportunities. With New Zealand now leading the series 2–0, they will aim to complete a clean sweep in the third and final T20I, reinforcing their dominance.
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