ZIM vs SA, 1st T20I: Rubin Hermann shines on debut; South Africa secure five-wicket victory over Zimbabwe

South African newcomer Rubin Hermann made a memorable T20 debut, guiding the Proteas to a five-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the tri-series opener on Monday.Hermann scored an impressive 45 runs from 37 balls, helping his team recover from early setbacks as South Africa reached 142-5 in 15.5 overs in their first T20 match of the year.Dewald Brevis displayed exceptional batting skills, hitting five sixes in his quick-fire 41 runs off 17 balls during the chase.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Zimbabwe managed to score 141-6, with captain Sikandar Raza remaining unbeaten at 54. George Linde took 3-10 after South African captain Rassie van der Dussen chose to field first.Fast bowlers Lungi Ngidi and Nandre Burger, who returned after a 10-month absence due to a lower-back stress fracture, delivered strong opening spells.

Raza and Ryan Burl contributed to Zimbabwe's late innings acceleration.South Africa's next match in the tri-series is scheduled against New Zealand on Wednesday.Richard Ngarava made early breakthroughs, dismissing debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Reeza Hendricks during the powerplay. Hendricks lost his middle stump while attempting an ambitious drive.The Proteas found themselves struggling at 3-38 in the sixth over after van der Dussen, who hit two sixes, was caught at mid-on off Trevor Gwandu.

Hermann and Brevis stabilised the innings with a 72-run partnership. Brevis dominated one over from Burl, scoring 25 runs including three sixes and a boundary.Brevis's innings ended in the 12th over when he was caught by Bennett while trying to hit Gwandu over extra cover. Hermann's wicket fell to Ngarava with just 12 runs needed for victory.Zimbabwe's batters struggled against the pace of Ngidi and Burger early in their innings.

Brian Bennett's patience wore thin, leading to his dismissal at deep mid-wicket off Linde's bowling in the 11th over.Raza and Burl attempted to increase the scoring rate in the final overs. Burl's innings of 29 from 20 balls ended when Hermann caught him at long off in the 18th over.Linde claimed two wickets in consecutive deliveries in the final over. Although Wellington Masakadza survived the hat-trick ball, Linde completed his spell without conceding any boundaries in his three overs.