Ireland was gutted as the first match of the series was washed away by rain. Paul Stirling’s team was in the driving seat until the rain came in that match. There were no more regrets in the second match. Zimbabwe was beaten by the visitors. And the Irish also got the desired lead in the series.
Ireland beat Zimbabwe by 4 wickets in the second ODI of the series at Harare Sports Club in Harare on Friday (December 15). Joshua Little was selected player of the match after taking 6 wickets for just 36 runs in 10 overs with 2 maidens.
After winning the toss and batting in Harare, host Zimbabwe scored 166 runs in 42.5 overs after losing all wickets. In response, Ireland reached the port of victory with 59 balls and 4 wickets in hand. Batsman Curtis Campher of the visiting team scored the highest 66 runs off 71 balls in the run chase.
Earlier, Zimbabwe could not get off to a good start batting first due to the aggressive bowling of pacer Joshua Little. The hosts lost 4 wickets after scoring 19 runs, failing to handle Little’s brilliant spell. Little took the first four wickets. Ryan Burl made a partnership of 45 runs with Clive Madande for the fifth wicket. Madande was dismissed for 33 off Andy McBrine.
Brandon Mavuta (4) returned to the team’s 70 runs. Burl made a partnership of 63 runs with Wellington Masakadza for the seventh wicket. When Burl got out for 38 runs, Zimbabwe were all out in no time. Masakadza scored the team’s leading 40 runs. There were 5 fours and 1 six. In the end, Zimbabwe’s innings stopped at 166 runs.
Apart from Little, Mark Adair, Craig Young, Andy McBrine, and Harry Tector picked up 1 wicket each for Ireland.
Then chasing the target, Ireland lost the wicket of opener Andrew Balbirnie on the first ball. Skipper Stirling returned to the dressing room after scoring 14 runs. Tector and Campher eased the run chase with a 52-run stand for the third wicket. Tector (21) returned to the dressing room, Brandon Mavuta’s first victim.
Campher returned to the pavilion after scoring 66 runs as Mavuta’s second victim. His innings were decorated with 10 boundaries. Lorcan Tucker (28) returned in quick time and Ireland was in a bit of a panic. However, by dint of Mark Adair’s brave batting, the visitors reached the port of victory with about 10 overs in hand. Adair scored 25 runs off 29 balls.
For Zimbabwe, Blessing Muzarabani took the highest amount of 2 wickets conceding just 23 runs in 10 overs with 2 maidens. Besides, Brandon Mavuta got 2 wickets and Richard Ngarava and Tanaka Chivanga picked up 1 wicket each. Tomorrow (December 17th) at the same time and venue, these two teams will meet in the last and final match of the series.
Zimbabwe – 166/10 (42.5)
Ireland – 170/6 (40.1)
Result – Ireland won by 4 wickets
Player of the match – Joshua Little
Joshua Little
Zimbabwe | Sikandar Raza (c), Joylord Gumbie (wk), Milton Shumba, Ryan Burl, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Clive Madande, Wellington Masakadza, Brandon Mavuta, Richard Ngarava, Tanaka Chivanga, and Blessing Muzarabani. |
Ireland | Paul Stirling (c), Lorcan Tucker (wk), Andrew Balbirnie, Harry Tector, George Dockrell, Curtis Campher, Andy McBrine, Graham Hume, Mark Adair, Craig Young, and Joshua Little. |
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