The New Zealand Cricket Team is all ready to play two test matches in Zimbabwe. Can Zimbabwe beat New Zealand in 1st Test match? It is a very big question.
Basically, the first test match starts from 30th July, whereas the last and the 5th day of the match is 3rd August. The Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, is the venue for the first match. Eventually, the capacity of the stadium is somewhere around 12,000. Lastly, the start time of the match is 10 AM (local time), whereas it’s 1:30 PM as per IST.
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Can Zimbabwe beat New Zealand in 1st Test match?
When we look at the New Zealand team, it is fair to say they are a far better team than Zimbabwe. This is surely not how cricket works, as you have to be the best team on the pitch. There is a very big blow for the New Zealand team as their captain, Tom Latham, will miss the match. He has an injury somewhere in his shoulder. Mitchell Santner will be the captain.
As this is the first match for New Zealand of the 2025-2027 World Test Championship Cycle, they need to start with a win. New Zealand will most likely get the better of the Zimbabwe team. We are predicting New Zealand to win the first test match against Zimbabwe.
Playing XI of both teams
New Zealand starting XI:
- Batsmen: Devon Conway, Will Young, and Henry Nicholls
- Wicketkeeper: Tom Blundell
- All-rounders: Mitchell Santner, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Michael Bracewell, and Nathan Smith
- Bowlers: Ajaz Patel, Matt Henry, William O’Rourke, Jacob Duffy, and Matthew Fisher
Zimbabwe starting XI:
- Batsmen: Craig Ervine, Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Nick Welch, Tanunurwa Makoni, and Roy Kaia
- Wicketkeepers: Clive Madande and Tafadzwa Tsiga
- All-rounders: Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza
- Bowlers: Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu, Newman Nyamhuri, and Tanaka Chivanga
What is the head-to-head record between New Zealand and Zimbabwe in test cricket?
Both New Zealand and Zimbabwe have played seventeen times against each other in test cricket. The record is surely that New Zealand has always dominated the Zimbabwe team. Out of the seventeen test games, New Zealand has won eleven of them, whereas six matches ended in a draw. The Zimbabwe team is yet to win its first test against the New Zealand team.
Our Dream 11 Team for the 1st Test between New Zealand and Zimbabwe
Captain: Rachin Ravindra
Vice captain: Mitchell Santner, Henry Nicholls, and Daryl Mitchell
Batsmen: Sean Williams,
All-Rounders: Sikandar Raza and Brian Bennett
Wicketkeeper: Devon Conway
Bowlers: Ajaz Patel, Blessing Muzarabani, and Matt Henry
Where to watch the 1st Test between New Zealand and Zimbabwe?
All the live action of the first test between New Zealand and Zimbabwe is available on the FanCode platform. There is a match pass of Rs 25 available for the fans to watch the match. Basically, the fans can also purchase a monthly or yearly pass, which allows them to watch live action of other matches and sports as well.
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