The upcoming game could prove to be interesting. Zimbabwe sent sparks chasing a big score in no-time with Sikandar Raza providing a memorable individual performance. West Indies too have batted well but it will be interesting to see if both sides can maintain their form against bowling attacks which are stronger and more experienced.

ZIM vs WI Match Details

Date: June 24th, 2023

Time:  12:30 PM IST

Venue: Harare

ZIM vs WI Weather Report

The weather looks pretty clear for the upcoming fixture.

ZIM vs WI Pitch Report

The track is likely to take some healthy turn as batting first remains a better option on pitch which will turn as the game progresses.

ZIM vs WI Head-to-Head

Played- 48 | West Indies- 36 | Zimbabwe- 10| No Result- 1 | Tie- 1

ZIM vs WI Predicted Playing XI

Zimbabwe Playing XI

Innocent Kaia, Craig Ervine, Wessly Madhevere, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Clive Madande, Richard Ngavara, Blessing Muzarabani, Tendai Chatara

West Indies Playing XI

Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Johnson Charles, Alzarri Joseph, Roston Chase, Keemo Paul, Akeal Hossein

ZIM vs WI Key Players

Brandon King

Brandon King has been in pretty good form and looks very strong up top. With his performances and ability to play under the spotlight already tested in the CPL he could prove to be a very important batter for the West Indies in the upcoming game and moving forward.

Sikandar Raza

Sikandar Raza was impressive in his first IPL and has been impressive throughout the last year as well. He is in some really good form and will be a key player in the upcoming game as Zimbabwe takes on the odds with the likes of West Indies and Sri Lanka in the tournament as well.

ZIM vs WI Match Tips

An interesting encounter is on the cards. Both Zimbabwe and West Indies are playing some good cricket but with West Indies performing collectively they could edge past the hosts in the upcoming game.

Match Prediction: West Indies Will Win the Match

The name Chanderpaul has a rich presence in West Indies cricket history, and Tagenarine Chanderpaul carried the legacy forward by becoming just the tenth player from the region to convert his maiden Test hundred into a double-ton. The opener was a study in concentration during his unbeaten 207 off 467 balls, helping the visitors declare on 447 for 6 on day three of the first Test against Zimbabwe.

Kraigg Brathwaite and Chanderpaul together racked up multiple records as Bulawayo finally saw a full day’s play with the sun shining brightly after two rain-hit days. In reply, Innocent Kaia led the way with an unbeaten fifty on debut and Zimbabwe moved to 114 for 3, still trailing West Indies by 333 runs. With 99 overs lost to rain and West Indies managing to score just 221 runs in 89 overs across the first two days, they needed to up the rate to have any chance of forcing a result, and Brathwaite took on the challenge.

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Kraigg Brathwaite and Chanderpaul racked up multiple records for West Indies

He was proactive from the get-go and brought out a number of shots that were at odds with his naturally defensive style of play. He struck Richard Ngarava for three successive fours in the third over of the day before slamming Victor Nyauchi for two more. Brathwaite hit six fours in his first 16 balls of the day, and soon brought up a third score in excess of 150 in Test cricket. He was rather agricultural in his shot-making, often moving in his crease and looking for gaps on the on side, a method probably inspired by Zimbabwe’s seven-two off-side heavy field.

Chanderpaul was more measured in his approach and collected a four only in the 21st over of the day. But he rotated the strike at every chance possible. Zimbabwe also had their moments in the extended first session. There were a couple of close run-out appeals against Chanderpaul, while debutant wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Tsiga missed a stumping chance when Brathwaite was on 159. Soon after, Brad Evans failed to hold on to a tough chance to his right in his follow-through with Brathwaite on 167.

Zimbabwe vs West Indies: After a wet outfield claimed the first two sessions on day 2 in Bulawayo, gritty centuries from Kraigg Brathwaite and Tagenarine Chanderpaul saw West Indies extend their grip on the first Test against Zimbabwe.

Only 51 overs were played on a rain-curtailed opening day, and West Indies – resuming from 112 for 0 – made the most of the 38 overs on offer on the second. Overnight rain meant that even though covers were off early on Sunday, the outfield was not fit for play and after several inspections, it was decided that the game would begin after tea. Both batters began the day on 55, and while Chanderpaul began to rotate strike better than on Saturday, it was Brathwaite who got the first couple of boundaries away.

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West Indies is in a really good position after 2nd day of 1st Test Match

With more than three sessions in the game already lost, the two openers upped the tempo, increasing the run rate from 2.03 on day 1 to 2.86 on day 2. The Zimbabwe bowlers toiled away again, but for the second day in a row, they had no wickets to show. Brathwaite brought up his 12th Test century in 226 balls in the 82nd over with a late cut past slip off left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza. His knock was predominantly about strike rotation and showcased excellent communication with Chanderpaul when running between the wickets.

He scored just five boundaries while making his century; the lowest boundary count in a Test century since 2002 is four. Throughout the two days, Brathwaite and Chanderpaul took risky singles, even after playing the ball to close fielders. This meant Zimbabwe had a few opportunities, but nothing clear cut, as the two openers kept the scoreboard ticking despite not being able to find the boundary with the kind of regularity they would have liked.

ZIM vs WI, 1st Test Preview

Zimbabwe will clash with West Indies in the first fixture of the two-test match series starting February 4 at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. It will be the first-ever red-ball match for the Chevrons after July 2021, when they lost by 220 runs to Bangladesh. Craig Ervine will lead the side, which will miss the services of their top players like Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl. However, the county experience of Gary Ballance will be handy for the side. West Indies, on the other hand, have a strong squad under the captaincy of Kraigg Brathwaite. They had a good outing in the practice game and would look to continue the same form.

ZIM vs WI, 1st Test Details

Zimbabwe vs West Indies – 1st Test

Venue: Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

Date & Time: 04th February 2023 at 01:30 PM IST 

Live Streaming: Star Sports Network

ZIM vs WI, 1st Test Pitch Report

Both teams played two Test matches at this venue in 2017, which witnessed them scoring 250 runs on most occasions, which can be termed as the minimum they have to score on this pitch to put up a strong challenge. The spinners will play a key role in taking key wickets due to the underlying assistance from the surface.

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update

Also Read: IND Test players have started preparing ahead of the match!

ZIM vs WI, 1st Test Probable Playing XIs:

Zimbabwe Probable Playing XIs

Milton Shumba, Tanunurwa Makoni, Gary Ballance, Craig Ervine, Innocent Kaia, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Chamunorwa Chibhaba, Wellington Masakadza, Donald Tiripano, Victor Nyauchi, Richard Ngarva

West Indies Probable Playing XIs

Kraigg Brathwaite, Tagnarine Chanderpaul, Nkrumah Bonner, Jermaine Blackwood, Kyle Mayers, Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva, Jason Holder, Kemar Roach, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie

Topmost Picks for ZIM vs WI Dream11 Prediction, 1st Test:

Top Picks – Zimbabwe

• Gary Ballance – With his rich stint in County and England team can be a boon to the Zimbabwe side. He has 11,876 runs at an average of 47.31, with 41 tons in the first-class format.

• Craig Ervine – He would look to make full use of the experience gained over the years to counter Caribbean challenge. He has 1,208 runs at an average of 35.52 in 18 Test matches, with a top score of 160.

Top Picks – West Indies

• Kraigg Brathwaite – The West Indies skipper will be the best pick for this game due to his terrific track record to pile up runs at the top order. He has 5,089 runs in 81 Test matches with 11 centuries.

• Kyle Mayers – The left-handed batter has been sensational with his form of late across all formats. He has 828 runs and 27 wickets in 14 red-ball appearances for West Indies.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for ZIM vs WI Dream11 Team:

Joshua Da Silva, Kraigg Brathwaite(C), Kyle Mayers(VC), Gary Ballance, Craig Ervine, Innocent Kaia, Milton Shumba, Kemar Roach, Alzarri Joseph, Richard Ngarva, Victor Nyauchi

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for ZIM vs WI Dream11 Team:

Joshua Da Silva, Kraigg Brathwaite, Kyle Mayers, Gary Ballance, Craig Ervine, Innocent Kaia, Milton Shumba, Roston Chase(VC), Alzarri Joseph(C), Richard Ngarva, Victor Nyauchi

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Kraigg Brathwaite, Alzarri Joseph

Vice-captain – Kyle Mayers, Roston Chase

Wicketkeeper – Joshua Da Silva

ZIM vs WI 1st Test Probable Winners:

West Indies and Zimbabwe have faced each other in 10 matches in the Test. Out of these 10 games, West Indies have won 7 whereas Zimbabwe have come out victorious on 0 occasions. West Indies, on the other hand, have a strong squad under the captaincy of Kraigg Brathwaite. The likes of Kyle Mayers and Jason Holder will play a key role for the team. They had a good outing in the practice game and would look to continue the same form. Considering the team combination, West Indies is expected to win this match.