IRE vs ZIM Only Test | Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview, Live Streaming

Ireland players during a Test match (x.com)

Ireland will host Zimbabwe in a one-off Test match in Belfast between July 25 and Julu 29. The much-awaited contest marks a return to the Test lore for the Zimbabwean cricket team after a gap of nearly a year-and-a-half.

IRE vs ZIM Only Test: Team Previews

Ireland

Back in February this year, Ireland registered their first-ever Test win. They defeated Afghanistan by six wickets in Abu Dhabi to lift a rare Test trophy. Bowling all-rounder Mark Adair played a crucial role with the ball, picking up five wickets in the first innings. Curtis Campher, Paul Stirling and wicketkeeper-batter Lorcan Tucker also played starring roles with the bat in the first innings, while captain Andy Balbirnie orchestrated a near-perfect run-chase for the Irish team.

In a bid to sustain their newfound Test success, the present Ireland team will once again rely on captain Balbirnie and other senior members of the team to come up trumps against Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe

The Zimbabwe cricket team is yet to play a Test match since February 2023. They last played a Test back in Bulawayo against West Indies, losing the match by an innings and four runs to concede the series 0-1.

Under the leadership of Craig Ervine, the Zimbabweans will be aiming to leave a notable mark on their Test return. Ervine himself will head into the contest on a trail of several prolific scores, all amounting to his tally of 391 runs from the past five Tests. Fast bowlers Victor Nyauchi and Blessing Muzarabani will start out as some of the key members for Zimbabwe in the bowling department.

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IRE vs ZIM Only Test: Match Details & Live Streaming 

IRE vs ZIM Only Test: Belfast Pitch Report

The playing conditions at Belfast’s Civil Service Cricket Club often tends to assist fast bowlers, with something on offer for the batters as well, especially after seeing off the new-ball. While the stadium is yet to host a Test match, it has hosted a number of fast bowlers-friendly white-ball international matches involving hosts Ireland.

IRE vs ZIM Only Test: Probable Playing XIs 

Ireland: Andrew Balbirnie (c), Paul Stirling, Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Andy McBrine, Mark Adair, Craig Young, James McCollum, Matthew Humphreys, Gavin Hoey

Zimbabwe: Roy Kaia, Dion Myers, Craig Ervine (c), Prince Masvaure, Sean Williams, Brian Bennett, Joylord Gumbie (wk), Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Tendai Chatara, Victor Nyauchi

IRE vs ZIM Only Test: Fantoss Fantasy Tips 

IRE vs ZIM Only Test: Winner Prediction

Ireland will be considered as favourites to defeating the visiting Zimbabwe team owing to their familiarity with home conditions at Belfast.

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