New Zealand Women and Zimbabwe Women are set to face each other in the 1st ODI of the Zimbabwe Women tour of New Zealand 2026 at University Oval, Dunedin on Thursday, March 05, 2026. The match is scheduled to begin at 3:30 AM IST. This will be the first-ever ODI meeting between the two sides. Stay tuned with our NZ-W vs ZIM-W 1st ODI prediction, team preview, pitch report and winner prediction ahead of this contest.
New Zealand will look to reset after a disappointing World Cup campaign where two no-results and struggles against top teams hurt their momentum. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, come in with a new captain and a slightly refreshed squad, hoping to make a strong start in overseas conditions.
NZ-W vs ZIM-W Over/Under Prediction
| Player | Tip | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Amelia Kerr | Over 44.5 Runs | 1.85 |
Amelia Kerr remains one of New Zealand’s most dependable batters in ODI cricket. Batting in the top order and capable of building long innings, she is well-equipped to anchor the innings at a venue where 200-plus totals are common.
| Player | Tip | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Modester Mupachikwa | Over 15.5 Runs | 1.85 |
Modester Mupachikwa is expected to open the innings and will be crucial in providing Zimbabwe with a stable start. On a surface that allows batters time once settled, she has a strong chance to cross the 15-run mark if she gets through the initial spell.
New Zealand Women Preview
New Zealand Women will see this series as an opportunity to rebuild rhythm after an underwhelming World Cup run. Despite having experienced players in the squad, they failed to consistently dominate stronger teams and now need stability ahead of the next global event.
At home in Dunedin, they will rely heavily on their core group. The batting unit has depth and experience, while the bowling attack is well-suited to local conditions. With home advantage and a balanced squad, New Zealand will aim to assert control from the first ODI itself.
Zimbabwe Women Preview
Zimbabwe Women recently played a competitive ODI series against UAE Women which ended in a 2-2 draw. The matches were largely decided by significant margins on either side, highlighting both their fighting spirit and inconsistency.
Loryn Phiri and Josephine Nkomo were the standout performers with the bat in that series. Phiri scored 134 runs in four innings at an average of 44.66, while Nkomo accumulated 128 runs in just two innings at an average of 64.00. With a new captain leading the side and a few fresh inclusions, Zimbabwe will look to carry that batting form into this tougher challenge.
NZ-W vs ZIM-W Probable Playing XI
New Zealand Women: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (C), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze (WK), Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson.
Zimbabwe Women: Modester Mupachikwa, Kelis Ndlovu, Loreen Tshuma, Josephine Nkomo, Loryn Phiri, Chiedza Dhururu (WK), Adel Zimunu, Nomvelo Sibanda (C), Beloved Biza, Christabel Chatonzwa, Tendai Makusha.
NZ-W vs ZIM-W Pitch Report
The pitch at University Oval generally offers a balanced surface in ODIs. Seamers can extract movement early, but once set, batters can score freely.
| Stats | Details |
| Total Matches | 5 |
| Matches won batting first | 2 |
| Matches won bowling first | 3 |
| Average 1st innings Score | 196 |
| Average 2nd innings Score | 191 |
NZ-W vs ZIM-W Winner Prediction
New Zealand Women have the advantage of home conditions, greater experience and a more settled core. Zimbabwe have shown promise in their recent series, but adapting to New Zealand conditions against a stronger bowling attack will be a significant test. A total around 230-250 should be competitive at this venue, depending on conditions on match day.
Considering squad depth, home advantage and overall balance, New Zealand Women are expected to start the series with a win.
Our NZ-W vs ZIM-W Prediction: New Zealand Women to Win
Also Read: WI-W vs SL-W 3rd T20I 2026: Match Preview, Probable XIs, Pitch Report and Winner Prediction
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