ZIM vs IRE Match Preview: Zimbabwe Look to Bounce Back Against Ireland

Match Details

Match: ZIM vs IRE, Only Test

Date: February 6, 2025

Time: 08:00 GMT

Venue: Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

Live streaming: FanCode

Live broadcast: The match won't be telecast live in India

Head-to-Head Record

Zimbabwe and Ireland have played only one Test so far, which the latter won by 4 wickets in 2024. This will be a crucial match for both teams, with Zimbabwe looking to bounce back from their previous defeat.

Pitch Report & Conditions

The Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo is expected to be a neutral venue, with neither batsmen nor bowlers having a significant advantage. The fast bowlers could make an impact with the new ball, especially on the opening morning. As the game wears on, spinners are expected to play a bigger role. The average first innings score at the venue is 312 runs.

Chasing teams have struggled to achieve big targets at the venue, with the highest successful chase being 184 by India against Zimbabwe in 2001. The weather forecast is not promising, with rain predicted on the final two days of the Test.

Probable XIs

Zimbabwe:

Joylord Gumbie (wk), Ben Curran, Nick Welch, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Brian Bennett, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri, Vincent Msakesa

Ireland:

Andrew Balbirnie (c), Peter Moor, Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Paul Stirling, Lorcan Tucker, Andy McBrine, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Craig Young, Matthew Humphreys

Form and Fitness

Both teams have no fitness concerns as of now.

Score Prediction

Players to Watch

Zimbabwe:

• Ben Curran
• Sean Williams
• Craig Ervine
• Brian Bennett
• Blessing Muzarabani

Ireland:

• Andrew Balbirnie
• Curtis Campher
• Paul Stirling
• Harry Tector
• Andy McBrine

Best Batsman Prediction

• Who will score the most runs for ZIM in the match: Ben Curran or Sean Ervine
• Who will score the most runs for IRE in the match: Andrew Balbirnie or Curtis Campher

Best Bowler Prediction

• Who will pick the most wickets for ZIM in the match: Blessing Muzarabani or Brian Bennett
• Who will pick the most wickets for IRE in the match: Andy McBrine or Mark Adair

Conclusion: Who will win the match?

Zimbabwe will start the Test as slight favorites thanks to their home advantage and are expected to beat Ireland. However, Ireland has shown their mettle in the previous encounter and will look to cause an upset.