ZIM vs NZ Match Preview- 1st Test, New Zealand Tour of Zimbabwe 2025

Zimbabwe will be up against New Zealand in the first of the two-match Test series. The ZIM vs NZ Match Preview provides today's match details for the first Test match of the series.

ZIM vs NZ Match Preview- 1st Test, New Zealand Tour of Zimbabwe 2025:

Date and Venue:

The ZIM vs NZ match will be played from July 30 to August 3 at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. The game will start at 1:30 PM IST.

Squads:

Zimbabwe

Craig Ervine (c), Brian Bennett, Tanaka Chivanga, Ben Curran, Trevor Gwandu, Roy Kaia, Tanunurwa Makoni, Clive Madande, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri, Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Nicholas Welch, Sean Williams

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

New Zealand

Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Michael Bracewell, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Will Young

ZIM vs NZ Key battles:

Sean Williams vs Jacob Duffy

Sean Williams would like to get a big score in the opening game of the two-match Test series against New Zealand, scheduled to begin from July 30 at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

Williams has been in good form in the longest format of the game, having scored a century in the first Test of Zimbabwe's last Test assignment against South Africa, and would like to carry that form into the first Test against Zimbabwe.

Sean Williams will go head-to-head against Jacob Duffy, who is expected to play the first Test and take the new ball.

Sikandar Raza vs Mitchell Santner

Sikandar Raza, who is making a comeback into the Test side after missing the last series against South Africa, will play a crucial role in the team's middle order, being one of the senior batters in Zimbabwe's squad.

Raza will have to tackle the bowling of Mitchell Santner, who has been in good form in Test cricket and was instrumental in guiding his team to a memorable series win in India

Devon Conway vs Blessing Muzarabani

Devon Conway, who played a few good innings in the recently concluded tri-series involving New Zealand, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, would wish to carry his rich vein of form in the Test series against Zimbabwe as well.

Conway will be up against Blessing Muzarabani, who will look to get rid of the batter early in the match.

Daryl Mitchell vs Wellington Masakadza

Daryl Mitchell, who has been a consistent part of New Zealand's middle order, will look to put on a strong performance in the upcoming match against Zimbabwe.

Mitchell will face the challenge of Wellington Masakadza, who is expected to be one of the two specialist spinners in Zimbabwe's playing XI for the first Test.

ZIM vs NZ Key Players:

ZIM- Sean Williams, Brian Bennett, Craig Ervine, Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu

NZ- Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Will Young, Mitchell Santner, Jacob Duffy

ZIM vs NZ Weather Report:

There are no chances of rain during the game in Bulawayo with a maximum temperature of 19°C and a minimum of 6°C.

Conclusion

Zimbabwe would like to win its first Test match against New Zealand in the history of the game, while New Zealand would hope to continue its domination over Zimbabwe.