1st Test Preview: New Zealand vs Zimbabwe 2025: Teams, Pitch & Where to Watch

The opening match of the New Zealand vs Zimbabwe 1st Test 2025 begins on 30 July 2025 at Queen’s Sports Club in Bulawayo. Play runs from 30 July to 3 August, with kickoff at 1:30 PM IST / 8:00 AM GMT / 10:00 AM local time.

This clash marks New Zealand’s return to red-ball cricket after their T20 tri-series success in Harare. Though not part of the World Test Championship, both sides aim to assert dominance early. New Zealand have history in their favour—they won the last Test series in Zimbabwe 2–0 in 2016.

Probable Playing XI & Team Form

New Zealand (probable playing XI)

With Kane Williamson, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, and Kyle Jamieson unavailable, coach Rob Walter has named a mixed squad. Expected XI:

• Will Young
   
• Devon Conway
   
• Rachin Ravindra
   
• Daryl Mitchell
   
• Henry Nicholls
   
• Tom Blundell (wk)
   
• Michael Bracewell
   
• Mitchell Santner (capt)
   
• Matt Henry
   
• Will O'Rourke
   
• Matt Fisher
   

New Zealand come in with strong momentum; their bowling attack, led by Matt Henry, is solid and they have plenty of depth despite missing stars.

Zimbabwe (probable XI)

The home side will rely on experience and recent form. Captain Craig Ervine, middle-order mainstay, and Brian Bennett—who scored a Test century and five-for recently—are vital to Zimbabwe’s challenge. Blessing Muzarabani is expected to be their lead fast-bowling threat.

Team Form & Head-to-Head

New Zealand are heavy favourites. Zimbabwe are yet to beat NZ in Tests, with a record of 12 losses and 6 draws in 18 Tests. Additionally, Zimbabwe’s recent Test form has been poor, including innings defeats to South Africa and Bangladesh; their only 2025 win came against Bangladesh.

Pitch & Conditions – Queen’s Sports Club Report

The Queen’s Sports Club wicket usually starts with seam-friendly conditions—especially early in the match—owing to residual moisture in cool Bulawayo weather. As days progress, it eases out into a batting-friendly surface that later assists spinners through gradual turn and variable bounce.

Where to Watch & Streaming

While the pillar topic covers overall tour streaming, for the 1st Test Preview, note:

• Tapmad live stream remains the go-to for Pakistani viewers. As the official platform for cricket broadcasts, tapmad is expected to carry live coverage of this Test.
   
• Other regions can tune in via their regional broadcasters or cricket streaming services, with full details generally confirmed closer to match day.
   

Summary Table

Aspect	Details
Fixture	1st Test, New Zealand vs Zimbabwe, 30 July – 3 August 2025
Venue	Queen’s Sports Club, Bulawayo
Probable NZ XI	Young, Conway, Ravindra, Mitchell, Nicholls, Blundell, Bracewell, Santner (c), Henry, O’Rourke, Fisher
Key Zimbabwe Players	Craig Ervine, Brian Bennett, Blessing Muzarabani
Pitch Conditions	Seam early; bat-flat mid-game; spin and variable bounce late
Team Form	NZ strong favourites; ZIM winless vs NZ in Tests
Broadcast (Pakistan)	Tapmad live stream expected