Tim Robinson and Bevon Jacobs created history in Harare |courtesy- @BlackCaps - X
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Tim Robison made a half-century
- Bevon Jacobs was making his debut for New Zealand
- New Zealand beat South Africa in their opening game of the tri-series
Tim Robinson and Bevon Jacobs broke a seven-year-old world record of MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya as they inspired New Zealand to a 21-run victory against South Africa at the Harare Sports Club in Harare in their first match of the ongoing Zimbabwe T20I series on Wednesday (July 16).
After the Proteas won the toss and chose to bowl first, the Black Caps' top order had a outing to forget as they were reduced to 70-5 in the 10th over of the game. At this point, Tim Robinson, who walked out to bat at number three was joined by debutant Bevon Jacobs at the crease.
The duo changed the course of the game with a 103-run partnership in 63 balls as the Black Caps posted a total of 173 on the board on a trick surface with both players remaining unbeaten on the crease. Robinson played a knock of 75 in 57 balls while Jacobs made a 30-ball 44.
Tim Robinson, Bevan Jacobs Break MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya's Partnership
Jacobs and Robinson's sixth-wicket partnership of 103 runs has made them the first players in the world to put a centry parrntership against the Proteas for the fifth wicket or lower against South Africa. They broke a long-standing world record of Indian cricket stars MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya.
Highest partnership in T20Is Against South Africa (5th Wicket Or Lower)
| Player |
Runs |
Partnership For Wicket |
Venue |
Year |
| Tim Robinson, Bevon Jacobs |
103 |
6th |
Harare |
2025 |
| MS Dhoni Hardik Pandya |
98 |
5th |
Centurion |
2018 |
| Tim David, Mitchell Marsh |
97 |
5th |
Durban |
2023 |
| AG Gous, Harmeet Singh |
91 |
6th |
North Sound |
2024 |
| Goerge Dockrell, Lucan Tucker |
86 |
6th |
Bristol |
2022 |
Overall, this was just the eight 100+ partnership for the sixth wicket or below in T20I cricket history and the second by a New Zealand pair after a 105-run stand by Michael Bracewell and Daryl Mitchell for 105 runs (6th wicket partnership) against Sri Lanka last year in Mount Maunganui.
Meanwhile, Jacob's knock of 44 is the fourth-highest by a player while batting at number seven or below against South Africa. It is the fifth highest by a career debutant score by a debutant while coming out to bat after the loss of the fifth wicket and the second-highest against a full member nation and third-most by a player from a Test playing country player.
