Published on: Aug 6, 2025 5:39 pm IST|Updated on: Aug 7, 2025 10:00 am IST
New Zealand have kicked off the Test series against Zimbabwe on a brighter note by winning the first game quite comfortably by 9 wickets. The Blackcaps looked clinical in all aspects of the game and managed to keep their undefeated record intact against Zimbabwe in Test match cricket.
With a 1-0 lead in the ongoing series, New Zealand will enter the second and final Test of the series with utmost confidence at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The two teams will be going on a collision course for one final time in this series on the 7th of August in Bulawayo. New Zealand ticked all the boxes in the first Test, and despite some injury concerns ahead of this game, they will enter this contest as the favorites.
The hosts Zimbabwe, meanwhile, would be looking to avoid yet another clean sweep in a Test series at home. They lost 0-2 (2-match Test series) to South Africa last month and are on the verge of yet another series clean sweep. With veteran batter Brendon Taylor expected to return in this Test, their batting unit will get a massive boost, but it remains interesting to see if Zimbabwe will be able to avoid a loss in this game.
Let’s delve deeper into this post for the ZIM vs NZ Dream11 prediction.
Also Read: ZIM vs NZ Today’s Match Prediction & Cricket Betting Tips: New Zealand Tour of Zimbabwe, 2nd Test, August 7
Date: 7th August 2025 Time: 01:30 PM IST Venue: Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Matches Played: 18 NZ won: 12 ZIM won: 0 Draw: 6 Tied: 0
New Zealand and Zimbabwe have collided 18 times in Test cricket. New Zealand have dominated this battle with 12 wins to their name, whereas Zimbabwe has failed to win a single fixture in this battle. Six games between these two sides have ended in a draw.
The pitch at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo for the 2nd Test between Zimbabwe and New Zealand is expected to offer a balanced contest between bat and ball. Early in the match, fast bowlers are likely to benefit from seam movement and bounce off the deck, making the new ball crucial for breakthroughs. As the game progresses, the surface tends to slow down, bringing spinners into play with increasing grip and turn from Day 3 onward.
Batting will be most favorable in the first two days, with teams aiming to post a strong first-innings total. However, run-scoring becomes more challenging later due to pitch wear and variable bounce. Historically, this venue has seen bowlers dominate, especially in the second innings, making batting first a strategic advantage.
Overall, expect a surface that rewards disciplined bowling and patient batting, with spin likely to play a decisive role in the latter stages of the Test.
Here are some key Test match stats of Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo:
ZIM vs NZ Team News and Expected Playing XI
ZIM Expected Playing XI: Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine (C), Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa Tsiga (WK), Newman Nyamhuri, Vincent Masekesa/Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Tanaka Chivanga
NZ Expected Playing XI: Devon Conway, Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (WK), Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Matthew Fisher, Ben Lister
As per the betting odds provided by most of the bettors, the visitors, New Zealand, are tipped as the favorites to win this match and complete a series whitewash.
The clash between Zimbabwe and New Zealand will take place on Thursday, August 7, at 01:30 PM (IST). Online live streaming will take place on the FanCode app. No TV streaming is available for this series in India.
Wicket-keepers: Devon Conway Batters: Daryl Mitchell, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Brendan Taylor All-Rounders: Sikandar Raza, Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra Bowlers: Matt Henry, Blessing Muzarabani, Jacob Duffy
C/VC Options- Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Mitchell Santner, Sean Williams