ZIM vs IRE Match Prediction | 1st Test

Betting Tips

The Ireland men's team is currently visiting Zimbabwe for a series of tests, ODIs, and T20I games. The test match will be played first up in the series. This one-off game will be played at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo from 6 February 2025. In this post, we will examine the betting tips, match prediction, and pitch report for this contest.

Zimbabwe vs Ireland Head-to-Head Record

Before this, only a single test match had been played between the two sides. Ireland won this test match by four wickets.

Zimbabwe vs Ireland Live-streaming and Broadcast

This game between Zimbabwe and Ireland will not be aired in India, but cricket enthusiasts can enjoy this contest on the FanCode app and website.

ZIM vs IRE Team Previews

Zimbabwe

The Zimbabwe team is going into this contest after a series of losses and drawn games. They lost three of their last five games, and two ended in a draw. They lost their last test match against Afghanistan in January this year.

There were some good takeaways for the Zim in this game, though, including the bowling of Blessing Muzarabani, Sikandar Raza, and Richard Ngarava. Some players, such as the skipper Craig Ervine and Sikandar Raza, also did well with the bat.

Zimbabwe's top batter in this game is likely to be Sean Williams. He has scored 593 runs in his last five games with an average of 84.71. He also scores his runs reasonably quickly, with a strike rate of 66.1. The Zimbabwe skipper Craig Ervine has scored 390 runs in his last five games with an average of 43.33.

Blessing Muzarabani will lead the Zimbabwe bowling attack. He has picked up 33 victims from his previous eight games with a strike rate of 46.39. Victor Nyauchi has also picked up 14 victims from his last six games with a strike rate of 58.07.

Zimbabwe Expected Playing 11

Ireland

On the other hand, the Ireland team has done much better in recent test matches. They are going into this game after a couple of wins in their last couple of contests over Zimbabwe and Afghanistan. However, they lost their three matches before that to England and Sri Lanka, which are major cricketing countries.

In their last game, they defeated the opposition by four wickets. Andy McBrine was adjudged the Player of the Match for his all-around performance with the bat and ball.

Lorcan Tucker will lead the Irish batting charge in this game. He has scored 480 runs in his last six games with an average of 43.63. He has also scored his runs reasonably briskly, with a strike rate of 62.17. Andy Balbirnie has scored 401 runs in his last nine games with an average of 23.59.

The leading bowler for Ireland is Mark Adair. He has picked up 22 wickets from his last six games with a strike rate of 44.09. Andy McBrine has also picked up 21 victims from his previous eight games with a strike rate of 74.8.

Ireland Expected Playing 11

ZIM vs IRE Toss Prediction

We have seen 27 test matches played at the Queens Sports Club ground in Bulawayo. The team batting second has won 12 games, while the team batting first has won five. Ten of the tests ended in a draw, so it might be a good idea to field first on this track.

Pitch and Conditions

The pitch at this Bulawayo venue is good for batters. It provides an even bounce and allows the batters to score their runs freely. Generally speaking, the wicket will remain batting-friendly throughout the contest.

The weather conditions for this contest will be nice and sunny for the first three days of the game. It might rain occasionally during the day on the fourth and fifth days, but a full game is expected.

ZIM vs IRE Betting Tips

Zimbabwe is playing at home and will have better knowledge of the conditions. They also have a strong seam bowling attack. Ireland has done well in previous Tests but this will be in alien conditions. Spin will play a big role and that is where Zimbabwe has a big advantage.

Bet on Zimbabwe to win.