ZIM vs NZ 2025: Zimbabwe vs New Zealand, 2nd Test Match Preview
Will O'Rourke and Nathan Smith have been ruled out from this particular game due to respective injuries.
5 Min Read
The second Test between Zimbabwe and New Zealand will take place at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, the same venue at which the series-opening match was played.
The Kiwis emerged triumphant by nine wickets in the first match as Matt Henry's match haul of nine wickets (9/90) led the way for the touring team. Standby skipper Mitchell Santner contributed with a four-wicket haul (4/27 in 17.1 overs) in the second innings. The Kiwis have added Ben Lister and Zakary Foulkes to the setup in place of the injured Will O'Rourke and Nathan Smith, who were ruled out due to back injury and abdominal strain, respectively.
As for Zimbabwe, Brendon Taylor returned to the squad for the second Test after the completion of his three-and-a-half-year ban. He had been suspended by the International Cricket Council for breaching the anti-corruption code. Sean Williams & Co. would aim to put up a better fight after what went down in the first match as the team failed to get to the 200-run mark both times, getting bowled out for 149 and 165, respectively.
Match Details
| Match | Zimbabwe vs New Zealand, Second Test, New Zealand tour of Zimbabwe 2025 |
| Venue | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo |
| Date & Time | August 7 to August 11, 1:30 pm (IST) |
| Live Broadcast and Streaming Details | FanCode (app & website) |
Pitch Report
The surfact at Queens Sports Club showed signs of getting better for the spin bowlers as the first Test progressed. Pacers are also expected to generate movement off the deck with the new ball.
Head-to-Head Record
| Matches Played | 18 |
| Won by Zimbabwe | 0 |
| Won by New Zealand | 12 |
| Drawn | 6 |
| First-ever Fixture | November 1 to November 5, 1992 |
| Most-recent Fixture | July 30 to August 1, 2025 |
Probable Playing XIs
Zimbabwe
Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Brendon Taylor, Craig Ervine (c), Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Trevor Gwandu, Blessing Muzarabani, Tanaka Chivanga
New Zealand
Will Young, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Matt Henry, Zakary Foulkes, Matthew Fisher, Ben Lister
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