Cricket Highlights, 9 Dec: Zimbabwe vs Ireland (2nd T20I) – In the second T20I IRE bounced back and defeated ZIM

Zimbabwe vs Ireland (2nd T20I) – Highlights

With one match remaining, Ireland emerged victorious in a closely contested match against Zimbabwe, leveling the T20I series at 1-1. Ireland’s fortunes were reversed by a 66-run partnership of 43 balls between Harry Tector and Curtis Campher, who later shared the triumph with George Dockrell and Mark Adair.

Earlier, Zimbabwe was struggling at 78 for 5, but an unbroken partnership of 87 for the sixth wicket between Ryan Burl and Clive Madande helped them reach 165 for 5.

Adair had pinned Marumani in front for a first-ball duck, and Ireland had made a good start after winning the toss. After that, Adair forced Madhevere to leave, and Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and Williams started working to give Zimbabwe momentum again.

In the fifth over, the two hit Craig Young hard, hammering him for 22 runs, abruptly turning Zimbabwe into a powerplay. Subsequently, Sean Williams struck out of Curtis Campher after smashing a 17 off 9 balls that included a six and a four with a strike rate of 188.88.

Ryan Burl smashed an undefeated 38 off 33 balls, including three sixes, while Tinashe Kamunhukamwe pounded a 39 off 27 balls with a strike rate of 144.44. In the end, Zimbabwe scored 165-5 in 20 overs, with Clive Madande top-scoring with an undefeated 44 from 39 balls that included two fours and a six.

Mark Adair, the finest bowler in Ireland, collected two wickets, while Craig Young, Curtis Campher, and Gareth Delany each took one wicket.

Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani prevented Andy Balbirnie and Paul Stirling from getting off to a fast start in the second innings, unlike in the first game. As a result, Ireland was reduced to 20 for 2 in the chase inside four overs, and they found it difficult to move the ball on the slow field.

To make it difficult to obtain boundaries, Zimbabwe’s bowlers kept it tight and made good use of slower deliveries. To put a positive spin on the powerplay and give Ireland some momentum, Tector and Lorcan Tucker took Trevor Gwandu for eighteen runs. In his subsequent over, Gwandu responded, with Tucker providing a straightforward catch to short fine.

At that point, Tector and Campher started working on the repairs. The two of them used the field placements and ground measurements to their advantage, making sure that runs continued to come even though Zimbabwe was giving them nothing in return.

Finally, Harry Tector, who scored 48 off 38 balls and was two runs short of a half-century, was the leading scorer for Ireland as they pursued 166-6 in 19.4 overs.

With a strike rate of 154.16, Curtis Campher blasted 37 off 24 balls, including four fours. Mark Adair struck 19 off 13 balls, including one six and a four, while George Dockrell amassed an undefeated 16 off 10 balls, including two fours, with a strike rate of 160.

Richard Ngarava, the finest bowler in Zimbabwe, took two wickets, while Trevor Gwandu, Luke Jongwe, and Blessing Muzarabani each took one wicket.

Zimbabwe vs Ireland Scoreboard 

Zimbabwe – 165/5 (20.0)

Ireland – 166/6 (19.4)

Result – Ireland won by 4 wickets

Player of the match – Harry Tector

Harry Tector

Zimbabwe vs Ireland Playing XIs