Final result
New Zealand Cricket won by 9 wickets
Player of the match: MJ Henry
Result · Test Cricket
Zimbabwe Cricket vs New Zealand Cricket
Result · Test Cricket
Venue par · 212Chase success · 39%POTM · MJ Henry
Match preview & overview
Henry's 9-Wicket Haul Seals Nine-Wicket Win for New Zealand in Bulawayo
New Zealand Cricket beat Zimbabwe Cricket by 9 wickets at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, on 30 July 2025. Zimbabwe won the toss, chose to bat, and were dismissed for 149. New Zealand responded with 307, establishing a lead of 158 runs. Zimbabwe's second innings yielded 165, setting a chase of just 8 runs. New Zealand reached that target for the loss of 1 wicket, completing a result that was effectively decided long before the final session. Matt Henry's 9 wickets for 90 runs across 36.5 overs was the defining individual contribution of the match and earned him the Player of the Match award.
The margin of 9 wickets fits squarely within the pattern of this rivalry. New Zealand have won 26 of the 28 Tests between these sides, and their last five meetings have all finished in New Zealand's favour. Zimbabwe's failure to pass 170 in either innings left their bowlers with no margin for error, and New Zealand's batting was always comfortable enough to convert the lead into an insurmountable position.
Pitch report & venue insights
Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo — 46-match sample
Aggregate conditions from 2002–2025. Numbers that tend to decide matches at this ground — par score, chase success, powerplay averages and toss bias.
46
T20 matches hosted
212
Avg 1st-innings score
186
Avg 2nd-innings score
39%
Chase success rate
37
Avg powerplay runs
43%
Toss-field rate
Key talking points
Moments the match hinged on
Headline angle
MJ Henry delivers player-of-match display
Matt Henry finished with 9 wickets for 90 runs across 36.5 overs, which proved decisive in both Zimbabwe innings. His control with the new ball and ability to extract movement on a Queens Sports Club surface that rarely offers much set the tone for New Zealand's dominance.
Angle 02
Zimbabwe bowled out cheaply in both innings
Angle 03
New Zealand's 307 built an unassailable lead
Angle 04
New Zealand's lopsided head-to-head continues
Angle 05
Zimbabwe's recent Test form offers no comfort
Betting & analytical angles
Angles the data surfaced
- Top bowler markets may be worth closer attention in any future Zimbabwe vs New Zealand fixture: Henry's 9/90 here continues a trend of individual bowlers dominating when the batting conditions are benign.
- With Queens Sports Club averaging 212 in the first innings across 46 Tests, totals below that figure have historically left batting sides vulnerable. Which has implications for first-innings runs markets.
- The chase success rate at this ground sits at just 38%, meaning teams batting second have historically been at a disadvantage. Result markets in Tests here may reflect that structural bias.
- Given New Zealand's 26-2 all-time record in this fixture, outright result lines ahead of any future series between these sides have historically offered limited value for Zimbabwe backers.
For editorial context only. Not a forecast and not betting advice. 18+ only, please gamble responsibly.
Frequently asked
Questions about Zimbabwe Cricket vs New Zealand Cricket
Who won the Zimbabwe vs New Zealand Test in Bulawayo in July 2025?
New Zealand Cricket won by 9 wickets at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. They bowled Zimbabwe out for 149 and 165, then replied with 307 in their first innings before knocking off the remaining 8 runs in the fourth innings for the loss of 1 wicket.
Who was Player of the Match in the Zimbabwe vs New Zealand Bulawayo Test?
Matt Henry (MJ Henry) was named Player of the Match. He took 9 wickets for 90 runs across 36.5 overs, effectively dismantling Zimbabwe's batting in both innings.
What is the head-to-head record between Zimbabwe and New Zealand in Tests?
New Zealand lead the all-time head-to-head emphatically, winning 26 of the 28 Tests played between the two sides. Zimbabwe have won just twice. All five of the most recent meetings have ended in New Zealand victories.
Where can I watch Zimbabwe vs New Zealand Test cricket in the UK?
Test matches involving New Zealand and Zimbabwe are typically available on Sky Sports Cricket in the UK, with live streaming via Sky Go and NOW TV for those without a satellite subscription. Check the BBC Sport website for any radio commentary options on Test match days.
What is the Queens Sports Club pitch like for Test cricket?
Across 46 Test matches at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, the average first-innings score is 212 and the average second-innings score is 186. Teams batting second win chases only 38% of the time, suggesting the surface tends to deteriorate and rewards the side batting first.
What has Zimbabwe's recent Test form looked like in 2025?
Zimbabwe have lost all five of their most recent Test matches in 2025. Their defeats include two each against New Zealand and South Africa, with this Bulawayo result the fifth consecutive loss. Their batting has struggled to post totals that give their bowlers enough to defend.
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