Bulawayo, August 1, 2025: New Zealand wrapped up a dominant nine-wicket win over Zimbabwe inside three days in the first Test at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, to take a 1–0 lead in the two-match series.
Stand-in captain Mitchell Santner led from the front, claiming 4 for 27 as Zimbabwe collapsed for 165 in their second innings, having resumed the day on 31 for 2, still trailing by 127 runs. That left New Zealand needing just 8 runs for victory — a target they chased down with ease after the tea break on Day 3.
Henry Nicholls struck the winning run in the third over after tea, sealing a comprehensive result for the visitors despite being hampered by injuries to two frontline bowlers.
Zimbabwe had started the day with slim hopes of staging a turnaround, looking to erase the 158-run first innings deficit and set a challenging fourth-innings target. But those hopes were dashed early as Nick Welch fell in the third over of the morning — caught behind off a short-pitched delivery by Will O’Rourke, who soon left the field due to back stiffness.
By lunch, Zimbabwe were reeling at 114 for 6, still 44 runs behind. Key wickets fell in quick succession: top-scorer Sean Williams departed for 49, caught down the leg side, while skipper Craig Ervine edged a Matt Henry delivery for 22.
Despite New Zealand missing injured pacers Nathan Smith (abdominal strain) and O’Rourke (back stiffness) for most of the day, Matt Henry carried the pace attack with another incisive spell. He picked up 3 for 51 in the second innings, including the key scalp of Sikandar Raza, to complete a match haul of 9 for 90.
Santner, making his debut as Test captain in the absence of Tom Latham, cleaned up the Zimbabwean tail, ending with 4 for 27 off 17.1 overs.
The second and final Test will be played at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, beginning next Thursday.
