Zimbabwe’s troubles deepened on Day 2 of the second Test against New Zealand as the visitors tightened their grip on the match. Resuming from their dominant overnight score of 179/1, New Zealand had already breezed past Zimbabwe’s modest total of 125 from the opening day. Devon Conway, who began the day on 79, carried on with poise and elegance to notch up his fifth Test century—his first in over two and a half years. His celebrations were spirited, but once the applause died down, he quickly returned to his usual composed batting style, eventually reaching his second 150 in Tests with a stylish boundary off the final delivery of the 80th over.
However, the tides shifted dramatically right after Zimbabwe opted to take the second new ball. The decision sparked an immediate reaction, disrupting Conway’s rhythm. The opening salvo came from Tanaka Chivanga, who greeted Conway with a vicious inswinger that slammed into his thigh. Though clearly in pain, Conway remained at the crease, attempting to steady himself by focusing on strike rotation, trying to take the sting out of the fresh attack.
But it wasn’t long before he faced the real challenge—Blessing Muzarabani. Midway through the 83rd over, Muzarabani came steaming in around the wicket and unleashed a devilish short ball just outside off. With the angle taking the ball away, Conway opted to leave it alone. What followed was pure drama: the ball jagged back sharply, smashed into Conway’s chest, and ricocheted off his body to crash into the middle stump. The delivery had come out of nowhere, and the Kiwi opener, despite his best efforts to fend it off, could do nothing to stop the bizarre dismissal.
Conway stood in stunned silence, caught between disbelief and frustration. He looked from the bowler to the wrecked stumps and then back again, as if trying to make sense of what had just happened. It was a freak moment—one that left the commentators and spectators equally shell-shocked. For a batter who had looked in complete control all morning, it was a cruel and unfortunate end.
— Why_Benstokes (@benstokes94425) August 8, 2025
Social media lit up with reactions to the dramatic dismissal. Some hailed Muzarabani for producing an unplayable delivery, others empathized with Conway for the sheer misfortune of it, and many couldn’t help but chuckle at the strange way the wicket had fallen. Regardless of how it was viewed, Conway’s exit marked a rare and memorable moment in Test cricket—a dismissal that was as unconventional as it was impactful.