The rivalry between Namibia and Zimbabwe has grown stronger in recent years, with both teams regularly competing in T20 internationals. From their first meeting in 2002 (ODI) to the latest T20I series in Bulawayo, September 2025, the contests have been filled with competitive cricket, close finishes, and dominant wins. Here’s a complete look at the head-to-head records, stats, series results, and top player performances.
Namibia vs Zimbabwe Head-to-Head in T20Is
Zimbabwe and Namibia have played 12 T20 matches so far. Namibia has had the upper hand overall, but Zimbabwe has shown strength, especially at home.
| Team | Matches | Won | Lost | No Result | Tied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Namibia | 12 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Zimbabwe | 12 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
Namibia still leads overall (7 wins), but Zimbabwe has now closed the gap with back-to-back wins at home.
Home & Away Performance
| Team | Home Wins | Away Wins | Neutral Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Namibia | 2 | 3 | 0 |
- Zimbabwe remains unbeaten at home after two wins in Bulawayo (Sep 15 & 16, 2025).
- Namibia’s adaptability has earned them away victories, especially in Windhoek.
Largest Winning Margins
By Runs
- Zimbabwe – 86 runs vs Namibia, Harare (2003 ODI)
- Zimbabwe – 33 runs vs Namibia, Bulawayo (Sep 15, 2025 T20I)
- Namibia – 32 runs vs Zimbabwe, Bulawayo (2022 T20I)
By Wickets
- Namibia – 8 wickets (twice, 2022 & 2023)
- Zimbabwe – 8 wickets (Bulawayo, 2022)
By Balls Remaining
- Namibia – 38 balls to spare (Windhoek, Oct 2023)
- Zimbabwe – 17 balls to spare (Bulawayo, 2022)
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Recent Match Results
| Date | Winner | Margin | Ground | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 16, 2025 | Zimbabwe | 5 wickets | Bulawayo | T20I |
| Sep 15, 2025 | Zimbabwe | 33 runs | Bulawayo | T20I |
| Nov 22, 2023 | Namibia | 7 wickets | Windhoek | T20I |
| Oct 30, 2023 | Namibia | 8 runs | Windhoek | T20I |
| Oct 29, 2023 | Namibia | 7 wickets | Windhoek | T20I |
| Oct 27, 2023 | Zimbabwe | 6 wickets | Windhoek | T20I |
| Oct 25, 2023 | Zimbabwe | 5 wickets | Windhoek | T20I |
The last seven matches show a see-saw battle, with Zimbabwe winning three out of the last four games to regain momentum.
Top Batting Performers
| Player | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikolaas Davin (NAM) | 292 | 89 | 58.40 | 156.99 |
| Sikandar Raza (ZIM) | 272 | 82* | 30.22 | 134.00 |
| Wesley Madhevere (ZIM) | 230 | 73* | 34.00 | 134.50 |
| Michael van Lingen (NAM) | 222 | 67 | 34.75 | 137.89 |
| Gerhard Erasmus (NAM) | 215 | 63 | 28.71 | 127.00 |
Nikolaas Davin has been Namibia’s batting star, while Sikandar Raza remains Zimbabwe’s backbone in the middle order.
Top Bowling Performers
| Player | Wickets | Best Bowling | Economy | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerhard Erasmus (NAM) | 13 | 3/15 | 5.22 | 14.77 |
| Bernard Scholtz (NAM) | 12 | 3/11 | 5.98 | 15.00 |
| Tendai Chatara (ZIM) | 11 | 3/7 | 6.25 | 16.30 |
| Jan Frylinck (NAM) | 11 | 2/19 | 6.10 | 17.00 |
| Sikandar Raza (ZIM) | 10 | 4/24 | 6.45 | 15.60 |
Namibia’s Erasmus & Scholtz remain their most consistent wicket-takers, while Raza & Chatara are key weapons for Zimbabwe.
Namibia Tour of Zimbabwe 2025 – Current Outlook
- The series began on September 15, 2025 in Bulawayo, with Zimbabwe winning by 33 runs.
- In the 2nd T20I (Sep 16, 2025), Zimbabwe chased down 170 to win by 5 wickets, sealing the series.
- The final match will be played on September 18, 2025 at the same venue.
Zimbabwe will aim for a 3-0 clean sweep at home, while Namibia will fight to avoid a whitewash.
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Conclusion
The Namibia vs Zimbabwe T20 rivalry has quickly grown into a closely followed contest, with Namibia still holding the overall edge. However, Zimbabwe has shown resurgence with two straight wins in Bulawayo, proving their strength at home. With both experienced all-rounders and promising young talents, this rivalry is only set to get fiercer in the coming years.
