ZIM vs NZ 2nd Test Match Prediction: Who Will Win This Match?

Win Probability

Zimbabwe	New Zealand
25%	75%

 

New Zealand to win (1.1)-

• • NZ lead the series by 1-0.
  • Wrapped up the 1st match within 3 days.
  • NZ holds the head-to-head matches by 12.
  • NZ won the Tri-Series Cup and remains undefeated.

Zimbabwe vs New Zealand Betting Odds

New Zealand played an outstanding game in the 1st Test against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club, winning the match convincingly. From the very beginning, they controlled the game with sharp focus and intensity. Their fast bowlers struck early, dismantling Zimbabwe’s top and middle order with precision. Maintaining tight lines and offering no easy runs, the bowlers were backed by alert and energetic fielding.

With the bat, New Zealand remained composed under pressure. Their top order absorbed early challenges, built a strong lead, and solidified their control. Despite Zimbabwe’s bowlers attempting a fightback, they were unable to find rhythm or consistency. In the second innings, Zimbabwe again crumbled, failing to build partnerships or counter New Zealand’s disciplined attack.

Thanks to smart tactics and flawless execution across all departments, New Zealand wrapped up the match in just three days. Their dominant performance not only silenced the home crowd but also boosted confidence among fans and cricket betting sites, who took notice of their all-round superiority and form heading into the rest of the series.

Zimbabwe vs New Zealand Match Preview

Zimbabwe:

• • Brendan Taylor has rejoined the squad after serving a three-and-a-half-year ban from the ICC. The 39-year-old veteran batter is expected to bat at No. 4 and brings a wealth of experience to the team. He has previously played 34 Test matches, boasting a batting average of 36.25 and scoring six Test centuries.
  • Zimbabwe’s top order struggled in both innings, losing 4 wickets within the first 15 overs in the first innings due to Matt Henry’s effective swing. Their poor shot selection and focus also contributed to early wickets in the second innings.
  • The middle order showed a lack of resilience. While Sean Williams (49 off 78) and Tafadzwa Tsiga (30 off 27) tried to stabilise the innings, including Sikandar Raza (12 off 10), Milton Shumba (6 off 4), and Innocent Kaia (9 off 3) failed to contribute meaningfully. Williams showed his class in the second innings, but no partnership crossed 35 runs, and poor strike rotation hurt Zimbabwe badly.
  • Zimbabwe’s bowling struggled against New Zealand, with Blessing Muzarabani (3/61) and Tanaka Chivanga (2/54) showing some promise but lacking overall consistency. After early trouble for the top order, Devon Conway (88) and Daryl Mitchell (80) built partnerships that eased the pressure. Spinners Raza (0/42) and Burl (0/37) were tidy but ineffective, allowing New Zealand to score 307.

New Zealand:

• • Nathan Smith, who took 3 wickets for 20 runs in the first innings of Test 1, has been ruled out of the second Test due to an abdominal strain. He will be replaced by Zak Foulkes, who is receiving his maiden Test call-up. Additionally, Ben Lister has been added as cover after Will O’Rourke experienced back stiffness. It is still uncertain whether regular captain Tom Latham will regain fitness in time for Test 2.
  • New Zealand’s innings was propelled by key partnerships, notably an important 110-run partnership between Devon Conway, who scored 88 off 170 balls, and Daryl Mitchell, who added 80 off 119 balls. They also laid a solid foundation with a 92-run opening partnership with Will Young, helping New Zealand achieve a first-innings lead of 158 runs over Zimbabwe.
  • New Zealand’s fast bowlers, led by Matt Henry (6/39), dominated Zimbabwe, capitalising on the early conditions. Henry’s precise outswingers dismissed Ervine (2) and Kaia (9), while Nathan Smith added 3/20. Zimbabwe collapsed to 149 all out in 60.3 overs, losing 4 wickets in the first 12 overs.
  • New Zealand maintained tight fielding standards. Tom Blundell was especially impressive behind the stumps, taking catches off edges and collecting low balls cleanly. No catches were dropped, reflecting the team’s focus and energy.

Zimbabwe vs New Zealand match details

Match: ZIM vs NZ, 2nd Test, New Zealand tour of Zimbabwe, 2025 Date and Time: Thursday, August 07 – Monday, August 11, 1:30 P.M. 2025 Venue: Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo Mobile- fancode

ZIM vs NZ Head-to-Head Record Test (Overall)

Zimbabwe vs New Zealand Recent form

• • • ZIM – L, L, L, L, L
    • NZ – W, W, L, L, W

Pitch and Weather Conditions

The surface typically begins as a dry, flat track with a light grass cover, offering some seam and swing assistance to fast bowlers with the new ball, especially in cooler conditions. As the match progresses, the pitch typically flattens out, favouring batsmen and allowing set players to score freely. However, by Days 3 to 5, wear and tear on the surface leads to uneven bounce and increased turn, which brings spinners into play, making batting in the later days quite challenging.

Captains who win the toss often choose to bat first, aiming to take advantage of the best batting conditions early on and to avoid dealing with a deteriorating pitch later in the match. The pitch provides a balanced contest, to seam bowlers may find some early rewards, and batting tends to progress smoothly during the middle stages, and spinners become more influential towards the end of the game.

Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo will experience clear, sunny skies all week with no rain. Daytime highs range from 21°C to 28°C, with cool mornings typically between 7 °C and 12°C. Winds will blow at 10 to 25 km/h, occasionally gusting higher. Humidity remains moderate, ranging from 20% to 40% in the afternoon and up to 80% in the morning, which appears to be ideal conditions for cricket.

Dew Chances- Medium

Queens Sports Club, records.

Total Matches	31
Wins by Teams Batting First	8
Wins by Teams Batting Second	13
Average Score in First Innings	324
Highest Team Total	713(165.3) by SL, Test
Lowest Team Total	104/10(49) by ZIM, Test

Zimbabwe VS New Zealand Playing XIs

ZIM: Tanunurwa Makoni, Roy Kaia, Craig Ervine (c), Sean Williams, Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza, Clive Madande (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Tanaka Chivanga, Vincent Masekesa.

NZ: Mitchell Santner (c), Devon Conway, Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, and either Jacob Duffy or Zakary Foulkes.

Zimbabwe vs New Zealand Key Players to Bet On

ZIM vs NZ Betting Tips

• • Toss- ZIM
  • Match-NZ

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