ZIM vs IRE Match Preview- Only Test, Ireland tour of Zimbabwe 2025

Zimbabwe will be hosting Ireland for a one-off Test this week. The game is scheduled to be played from Thursday (February 6) at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

The ZIM vs IRE upcoming Test will be Zimbabwe's first Test assignment since the two-match Test series at home against Afghanistan a few weeks ago. Zimbabwe lost the series 1-0 and will be desperate to get back to winning ways.

Ireland, on the other hand, will be playing a Test for the first time since July last year. Incidentally, their last Test was against Zimbabwe. It was the first-ever Test between the two sides and Ireland had won it by 4 wickets. With both the teams now gearing up for the upcoming Test, here is the match preview.

ZIM vs IRE Match Preview- Only Test, Ireland tour of Zimbabwe 2025:

ZIM vs IRE, Only Test Date and Venue:

The upcoming ZIM vs IRE Test will be played on Thursday (February 6) at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The match will be played from 01:30 PM (IST).

Squads:

Zimbabwe:

Ben Curran, Craig Ervine (c), Nick Welch, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Sean Williams, Vincent Msakesa, Joylord Gumbie (wk), Nyasha Mayavo (wk), Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri, Richard Ngarava, Trevor Gwandu, Victor Nyauchi

Ireland:

Andrew Balbirnie (c), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gavin Hoey, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, PJ Moor, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Morgan Topping, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young

ZIM vs IRE key battles:

Andrew Balbirnie vs Blessing:

With Ireland playing a Test in Zimbabwe for the very first time, the onus will be on captain Andrew Balbirnie to lead the team from the front. The Ireland captain has played 9 Tests so far and has scored 401 runs with the help of four fifties.

He will be keen to give his team a good start with the bat. On the other hand, Zimbabwe will be relying on their experienced pacer Blessing Muzarabani to start their bowling innings on a strong note. So, the battle between Balbirnie and Muzarabani could set the tone for the rest of the innings.

Sean Williams vs Andy McBrine:

The battle between Sean Williams and Andy McBrine could be decisive in deciding the fate of the ZIM vs IRE Test. One of Zimbabwe's most reliable batters, Williams impressed with the bat in the two-match Test series against Afghanistan a few weeks ago.

In four innings, Williams registered scores of 154, 35*, 49 and 16. The 38-year-old will look to do well against Ireland too and the visitors will be relying on their off-spinner Andy McBrine to ensure that they get rid of Williams early.

McBrine dismissed Williams in the first innings of the only Test between the two teams that took place last year and will fancy his chances again.

Craig Ervine vs Mark Adair:

Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine will also look to lead his side from the front in the upcoming Test. The left-handed batsman was in brilliant form against Afghanistan. In four innings, he registered scores of 104, 22*, 75 and 53. He recently impressed with the bat in domestic cricket as well and will be looking to make the most of his form.

With Ervine in good form, Ireland will have their task cut out. They will be hoping that their most successful Test bowler of all time, Mark Adair helps them get rid of the Zimbabwe star cheaply. When Ireland hosted Zimbabwe last year, Adair had dismissed Ervine in the second innings of the one-off Test and will be eyeing more success against him.

ZIM vs IRE Key Players

ZIM - Ben Curran, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine, Brian Bennett, and Blessing Muzarabani will be the key players for Zimbabwe.

IRE - Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, and Andy McBrine will be the key players for Ireland.

ZIM vs IRE Weather And Pitch Report:

The weather report is not very promising for the upcoming Zimbabwe vs Ireland Test. There is a prediction for rain on the final two days of the Test although rain is unlikely to play spoilsport on the first three days. The weather could make it difficult for both teams to force a result in the game.

As far as the pitch is concerned, the batsmen will enjoy the surface in the first couple of days. However, the bowlers especially the spinners could make a bigger impact as the game wears on.

Conclusion:

Zimbabwe and Ireland are all set for the historic Test. Both the teams hardly get a chance to play Tests regularly and will be looking to make the most of the opportunity.