Zimbabwe and New Zealand are set to square off in the second Test, scheduled for August 7 at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. New Zealand already has one hand on the series, but Zimbabwe won’t go down without a fight. With home conditions on their side and pride on the line, the hosts will be looking to turn things around. For the visitors, it’s a chance to finish strong and stamp their authority.
Everyone’s watching this Test closely — and not just for the cricket. With bets flying around and players in form, people want sharp calls, not just guesses. That’s where today match prediction and solid cricket betting tips really come in. The teams are stacked with potential, and with the pitch and weather bound to shake things up, knowing what to expect could give punters a real edge.
Match Facts & Odds (Based on Screenshot Data)
- Match: ZIM vs NZ, 2nd Test
- Date: August 7–11, 2025
- Time: 1:30 PM IST
- Venue: Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Zimbabwe Squad Highlights:
Craig Ervine (c), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani
New Zealand Key Names:
Mitchell Santner (c), Tom Latham, Matt Henry, Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Tom Blundell (wk)
According to real-time match odds:
- New Zealand to win: 1.07
- Zimbabwe to win: 11.50
- Draw: 20.00
- Draw no bet: NZ – 1.04 | ZIM – 10.00
- Toss winner odds: ZIM – 1.92 | NZ – 1.92
Clearly, the bookmakers heavily favor the visitors. After New Zealand’s dominant performance in the 1st Test, especially with their pace battery led by Matt Henry and the solid top-order showing, they come in as overwhelming favorites again.
Key Performers to Watch:
- Matt Henry: 8 wickets in the first Test
- Devon Conway: 90+ runs in the 1st Test innings
- Sikandar Raza: Zimbabwe’s lone warrior with both bat and ball
Pitch Report & Venue Overview – Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo traditionally offers a fair contest between bat and ball. Here’s how the pitch typically behaves over five days:
- Days 1 & 2: Decent batting conditions, slight seam movement early on.
- Day 3: Best for batting, the pitch flattens out.
- Days 4 & 5: Expect deterioration, assisting spinners and variable bounce.
Average 1st innings score: ~290
Matches won batting 1st: 52%
Matches drawn: 24%
Spinners like Santner and Masakadza will come into play as the match progresses.
Weather Forecast Analysis
Day 1 (August 7):
- Temperature: 26°C
- Cloud Cover: 70%
- Chance of Rain: 30%
Days 2–4:
- Mostly sunny with temperatures between 25–28°C
- Minimal rain interruptions expected
With overcast conditions on Day 1, seam bowlers like Matt Henry and Blessing Muzarabani could exploit the new ball. However, the drying pitch and sunny days ahead may favor batting on Days 2 and 3. Spinners will enter the frame from Day 4 onwards.
Team Analysis & Head-to-Head
Zimbabwe – Squad Breakdown
Strengths:
- Experienced middle order with Sean Williams and Raza
- Some bowling promise in Muzarabani and Masakadza
Weaknesses:
- Fragile top order
- Lack of depth in pace bowling
New Zealand – Squad Breakdown
Strengths:
- World-class bowling attack: Henry, Santner, Bracewell
- Consistent top 4: Latham, Conway, Ravindra, Blundell
Weaknesses:
- Some rustiness in new players like Fisher or Foulkes
Head-to-Head Record in Tests:
- Total Tests Played: 19
- New Zealand Wins: 12
- Zimbabwe Wins: 0
- Draws: 7
This lopsided record reflects the gap in experience and skill. Historically, Zimbabwe have struggled to maintain momentum beyond the first two days of a Test.
Toss Prediction & Match Strategy
Considering the pitch and weather, the team winning the toss should bat first. The wicket is expected to be at its flattest on Day 2, and chasing anything above 300 in the 4th innings at Bulawayo is extremely tough.
Historical Toss Trends at Queens Sports Club:
- Teams batting first have won 4 of the last 6 Tests
- Batting last has led to collapses due to footmarks and inconsistent bounce
Today match prediction tip: Winning the toss may not win the match, but choosing to bat could set the tone.
Expert Cricket Betting Tips
Here are some expert cricket betting tips for this Test:
- Player to Score 50+ Runs:
- Devon Conway
- Why? He’s in solid form and plays spin well. Zimbabwe’s bowling doesn’t seem threatening on flat tracks.
- Top Bowler – Match:
- Matt Henry
- Why? Dominated the 1st Test and will benefit from Day 1 seam conditions.
- Most Sixes in a Match:
- Sikandar Raza
- Why? Zimbabwe’s aggressive middle-order option, capable of attacking spin and pace.
- Over/Under Session Runs (1st Innings, Day 1):
- Over 85.5 Runs in 1st Session
- Why? If New Zealand bats first, expect a controlled, steady start with 90+ runs.
- Match Winner Pick:
- New Zealand to win @ 1.07
- Why? Superior squad, depth in both batting and bowling, and mental edge.
Pro Tip: Watch out for live odds shifts around the toss — if Zimbabwe bats first and posts a score above 300, hedge draw markets slightly for safety.
Final Match Prediction
With a stronger form, better depth, and favorable head-to-head history, New Zealand is the clear favorite. Zimbabwe may put up a fight on Days 2 and 3, but the Kiwis’ bowling unit should overpower their batting.
Today match prediction:
Winner – New Zealand
Unless the weather throws a surprise or someone from Zimbabwe pulls off something extraordinary, New Zealand should comfortably seal the series 2–0.
Conclusion
This second Test has all the ingredients for a compelling contest — Zimbabwe fighting to bounce back, and New Zealand looking to finish the job. Whether you’re tracking team form or watching how the pitch plays, there’s real value to be found in this one for punters who pay attention.
Stick with the basics: trust players in form, read the conditions right, and stay sharp with the live action.
And if you’re after reliable match insights and updated cricket betting tips, check out cricketbettingtips.org — the go-to spot for smart calls and expert predictions.