Final result
South Africa Cricket won by 5 wickets
Player of the match: Sikandar Raza
Result · T20 Internationals
Zimbabwe Cricket vs South Africa Cricket
Result · T20 Internationals
Venue par · 185Chase success · 55%POTM · Sikandar Raza
Match preview & overview
South Africa edge past Zimbabwe by 5 wickets in Delhi T20I
South Africa beat Zimbabwe by 5 wickets in the T20I played at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on 1 March 2026. Zimbabwe, who won the toss and chose to bat, posted 153 for 7 from their 20 overs. South Africa's chase was turbulent early on: three wickets fell in the powerplay with only 43 on the board. The middle overs settled it. South Africa accumulated 86 runs for 2 wickets between overs 7 and 16, and the final passage brought 25 more without further loss. Sikandar Raza, representing the losing side, was named Player of the Match.
The result extended South Africa's head-to-head record over Zimbabwe to 39 wins from 40 T20I meetings. Zimbabwe have not beaten South Africa in this format. Recent history had already suggested the gap between the sides remains substantial: South Africa's last five completed fixtures before this one all ended in victory, with two of those wins in 2025 coming by 236 and 328 runs respectively.
For Zimbabwe, the performance still had something to take away. A total of 153 kept them competitive, and Raza's individual display was sufficient to earn the match award. That South Africa required 154 for 5 rather than wrapping it up with overs to spare shows some of the batting had to work for it.
Pitch report & venue insights
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi — 165-match sample
Aggregate conditions from 2004–2026. Numbers that tend to decide matches at this ground — par score, chase success, powerplay averages and toss bias.
165
T20 matches hosted
185
Avg 1st-innings score
165
Avg 2nd-innings score
55%
Chase success rate
46
Avg powerplay runs
61%
Toss-field rate
Key talking points
Moments the match hinged on
Headline angle
South Africa complete a 39th win in 40 T20I meetings
The head-to-head record between these two sides is extraordinarily one-sided. South Africa have now won 39 of 40 T20I fixtures, with one no result and Zimbabwe yet to register a victory. This match did nothing to shift that balance.
Angle 02
Zimbabwe's middle overs kept them competitive
Angle 03
South Africa's middle order steadied a shaky chase
Angle 04
Delhi pitch ran below its own average
Angle 05
Sikandar Raza named Player of the Match
Key players
Players who decided it
Zimbabwe Cricket
Sikandar Raza
Betting & analytical angles
Angles the data surfaced
- Middle-overs batting markets may offer more value than outright result lines in fixtures with lopsided head-to-head records, where the result market can be heavily priced in one direction.
- Player of the Match markets in games involving Zimbabwe could be worth monitoring when Sikandar Raza is selected: he has a consistent record of producing performances even in losing efforts.
- Top batter markets are worth considering at Arun Jaitley Stadium given the venue's historically high average first-innings score of 185, though this match saw scoring fall below that mark.
- Powerplay wickets markets may suit South Africa's bowling attack against Zimbabwe, given how often they have restricted the batting side in recent meetings.
For editorial context only. Not a forecast and not betting advice. 18+ only, please gamble responsibly.
Frequently asked
Questions about Zimbabwe Cricket vs South Africa Cricket
Who won the Zimbabwe vs South Africa T20I in Delhi on 1 March 2026?
South Africa won by 5 wickets. Zimbabwe posted 153 for 7 and South Africa reached 154 for 5, with Sikandar Raza named Player of the Match.
What is the head-to-head record between Zimbabwe and South Africa in T20Is?
South Africa have won 39 of the 40 T20I meetings between the two sides. There has been one no result and Zimbabwe are yet to win a match in the format against South Africa.
Who was Player of the Match in the Zimbabwe vs South Africa T20I?
Sikandar Raza of Zimbabwe was named Player of the Match, a notable result given that his side lost the fixture by 5 wickets.
Where to watch Zimbabwe vs South Africa T20Is in the UK?
T20 international cricket between these sides is typically available on Sky Sports Cricket, with streaming via Sky Go or a NOW TV Sports subscription. Check listings ahead of each fixture for confirmed broadcast details.
What is Arun Jaitley Stadium's average score in T20 matches?
Across 165 matches at the venue in Delhi, the average first-innings score is 185 and the average second-innings score is 165. Teams fielding first have won 56 per cent of completed chases.
What was Zimbabwe's recent form going into the Delhi T20I?
Zimbabwe had won three of their previous five T20I fixtures in 2026, beating Sri Lanka, Australia, and Oman, before losing to West Indies and India. South Africa came in with five consecutive wins from five matches.
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