The historic one-off Test between Zimbabwe and Ireland will be played this week. The match is scheduled to be played on Thursday (February 6, 2025) at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

It will be the first-ever Test between the two sides in Zimbabwe. Last year, both teams played their first Test against each other in Belfast and are now gearing up for the second Test.

The first Test between the two sides was won by Ireland by four wickets. With both the teams now all set for the second Test, here are all the predictions for the upcoming game.

ZIM vs IRE Match Prediction – Only Test, Ireland tour of Zimbabwe 2025:

Match Details

Match: ZIM vs IRE, Only Test

Date: February 6-10, 2025

Time: 01: 30 PM IST

Venue: Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

Live streaming: FanCode

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

ZIM vs IRE Match Prediction—Head-to-Head Record

Zimbabwe and Ireland have played only one Test so far. The game took place in Ireland in 2024 and the home side won it by 4 wickets.

Total Test Matches Played: 1

Zimbabwe Won: 0

Ireland Won: 1

Last 5 Matches: Both the teams have played only one Test against each other so far and Ireland ended up winning it.

Pitch Report & Conditions

Neutral venue: Neither the batsmen nor the bowlers are expected to completely dominate the game at the Queens Sports Club. While batsmen will get good support from the surface on the first two days, the fast bowlers could make an impact with the new ball, especially on the opening morning.

As the game wears on, the spinners are expected to make a bigger impact in the Test. In the last Test played at the venue, Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan had taken 7 wickets in the second innings to guide his side to a famous win.

Average 1st Innings Score: The average first innings total at the venue is 312 runs.

Chasing Record:

Even though teams batting second have dominated the proceedings in Bulawayo, teams have struggled to chase big targets at the venue in the fourth innings of the game. The highest successful chase at the venue is 184, achieved by India against the hosts way back in 2001.

Of the 9 times that the teams posted a target in excess of 200 runs, the chasing teams ended up losing the game on five occasions while the other four games ended in a draw.

Weather Report

The weather report is not very promising for the ZIM vs IRE Test. There is a prediction for rain on the final two days of the Test. The temperature will be around 30 degrees Celsius for most part of the game.

ZIM vs IRE Match Prediction – Zimbabwe and Ireland Probable XIs

Zimbabwe Playing 11:

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

Ireland Playing 11:

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

There are no fitness concerns for any of the two teams as of now.

Score Prediction

ZIM vs IRE Players to perform prediction

ZIM:

Ben Curran, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine, Brian Bennett and Blessing Muzarabani could make a big difference for Zimbabwe in the game.

IRE:

Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, and Andy McBrine could play a big role for Ireland in the upcoming Test.

ZIM vs IRE 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

ZIM vs IRE 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.