Zimbabwe vs Kenya 2nd Semi Final 2025: Preview, Analysis, Prediction

The 2nd semi-final between Zimbabwe vs Kenya in the 2025 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final promises a high-stakes encounter.

With a place in the final — and potentially qualification implications for the 2026 T20 World Cup — on the line, both sides will aim to bring their best game.

This clash offers an opportunity to gauge depth, temperament, and resilience under pressure.

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Zimbabwe vs Kenya Details

Date, Time & Venue

• Date: 2 October 2025
• Time: 5:20 PM IST (Indian Standard Time)
• Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe

The Harare Sports Club has been a central venue in Zimbabwean cricket, renowned for its surfaces that offer a fair balance between bat and ball, although spinners can play a significant role later in the innings.

Tournament Context & Stakes

This semi-final is part of the 2025 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final, held in Zimbabwe from 26 September to 4 October 2025.

The tournament serves as a qualification pathway to the 2026 World Cup, with the top two teams from this regional final joining already qualified teams, such as South Africa.

Zimbabwe and Kenya both progressed through the group stage and earlier knockout phases to reach this semi.

The winner not only reaches the final but also boosts chances to become one of Africa’s representatives.

Head-to-Head & Historical Background

Historically, Zimbabwe has held the upper hand over Kenya in T20 matches in recent years. In the last five meetings, Zimbabwe has been victorious in most encounters.

In particular:

• On 24 October 2024, Zimbabwe defeated Kenya by chasing 102.
• On 30 November 2023, Zimbabwe scored 217/4 and beat Kenya in the Africa Qualifier.

These results suggest Zimbabwe enters with both psychological and statistical advantages, though in knockout cricket, upsets are always possible.

For Kenya, its path to this point has required consistency and resilience. They have fewer big-match experiences compared to Zimbabwe, but have shown capability, especially in pressure games during qualifiers.

Zimbabwe vs Kenya: Team Composition & Key Players

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe brings a balanced squad with experienced all-rounders, promising young batters, and reliable bowlers.

Names like Sikandar Raza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, and Tadiwanashe Marumani are expected to play crucial roles.

Spin options and medium pace depth are strengths. Their familiarity with local pitches gives them a slight edge.

Kenya

Kenya’s lineup features a mix of youth and experience. Batsmen like Dhiren Gondaria, Sachin Bhudia, and all-rounders such as Jasraj Kundi are likely to be central.

Their bowling will need to be sharp, especially in the powerplay and death phases, to restrict Zimbabwe’s batting. Also, fielding discipline will matter heavily.

Zimbabwe vs Kenya: Pitch & Conditions

At Harare Sports Club, pitches tend to be moderately paced.

The surface often offers some assistance to seamers early, with gradual grip for spinners as the game progresses, especially in the second half of a T20.

Dew might also play a factor if the ground gets damp in the evening hours.

Teams winning the toss might prefer chasing, but a decision will depend on pitch behavior and weather conditions on the day.

Zimbabwe vs Kenya: Match Analysis & Key Battles

1. Powerplay vs Early Breakthroughs
   If Kenya can strike early, removing top-order Zimbabwe batters, the match might tilt. Zimbabwe’s early aggression can set the tone.
2. Middle Overs Control
   Zimbabwe’s strength often lies in consolidating through overs 6 to 15. Kenya’s bowlers must stifle that flow.
3. Death Over Execution
   Both sides will rely on their death bowlers in overs 16–20. Accuracy, variation, and composure under pressure will separate them.
4. All-round Impact
   Players who can contribute with both bat and ball will be crucial. Zimbabwe’s Raza, for instance, is a potential game-changer.
5. Handling Pressure
   In a knockout game, temperament and handling nerves matter. Kenya’s challenge will be to stay calm under Zimbabwe’s onslaught.

Zimbabwe vs Kenya: Prediction

Given historical dominance, home advantage, and deeper experience in pressure games, Zimbabwe looks like the favorite heading into this semi-final.

However, Kenya cannot be dismissed — a side with a disciplined bowling attack and good lower-order hitters can upset the script.

My prediction: Zimbabwe to win, though Kenya might push them hard. Expect a total in the range of 160–180 to be par; chasing that may be slightly more comfortable if conditions are stable.

Probable Playing Elevens (11)

Zimbabwe (11):

1. Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk)
2. Dion Myers
3. Brian Bennett
4. Sikandar Raza (c)
5. Ryan Burl
6. Tony Munyonga
7. Tinotenda Maposa
8. Blessing Muzarabani
9. Richard Ngarava
10. Wellington Masakadza
11. Trevor Gwandu

Kenya (11):

1. Dhiren Gondaria
2. Neil Mugabe
3. Sachin Bhudia
4. Jasraj Kundi
5. Pushkar Sharma
6. Sukhdeep Singh (wk)
7. Rakep Patel
8. Vraj Patel
9. Lucas Ndandason
10. Peter Langat
11. Francis Mutua

These lineups may vary depending on toss decision, pitch reading, or last-minute changes.

FAQ’s