Latest highlights on ZIM vs SA
Bulawayo, June 28, 2025 — There’s a different kind of anticipation at Queens Sports Club this week as Zimbabwe and South Africa begin their two-match Test series. Historically, this has been a lopsided contest, but this encounter feels more like a calculated transition than a routine fixture, with both sides eyeing future opportunities.
South Africa, missing regular captain Temba Bavuma and a handful of World Test Championship stalwarts due to rotation, have handed the reins to experienced spinner Keshav Maharaj. What’s drawing attention, though, is the debut of promising talents like Dewald Brevis (“Baby AB”), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, and Codi Yusuf. The Proteas are clearly investing in their bench strength, using this series as a platform to assess their next generation of cricketers under international pressure.
Elected to bat first on a fresh Bulawayo pitch, South Africa’s openers adopted a measured approach. Zimbabwe’s seamers, spearheaded by Blessing Muzarabani, maintained disciplined lines and leveraged early movement to challenge the visitors’ top order. Yusuf and Tony de Zorzi endured the initial testing phase, looking to lay a stable foundation for a competitive first-innings total.
For Zimbabwe, the stakes extend beyond the series itself. With star all-rounder Sikandar Raza unavailable due to MLC commitments in the United States, the team is relying on experienced players like Sean Williams and emerging talents such as Brian Bennett. The local support in Bulawayo further strengthens their resolve, making them a formidable opponent on home soil.
While South Africa’s track record in this fixture is dominant—eight wins out of nine previous Tests—the current scenario renders historical data less relevant. The absence of World Test Championship points means each team is playing for pride, future selection, and the broader goal of reinvigorating Test cricket in the region.
At the close of the morning session on Day 1, South Africa is 3 without loss after 4.3 overs, with Yusuf and de Zorzi at the crease. Muzarabani has led Zimbabwe’s attack with characteristic discipline.
As the series unfolds, attention will remain fixed on the new faces in the South African lineup and Zimbabwe’s determination to redefine their Test cricket narrative.
Stay tuned for further developments as this strategic contest progresses in Bulawayo.
