Ireland faced Zimbabwe in the last ODI of the three-match series on Tuesday, February 18, at the Harare Sports Club. Zimbabwe won the match by nine wickets after chasing down the target of 241 runs in just 39.3 overs.
It is the third time that Zimbabwe have defeated Ireland in an ODI series at their venue. Zimbabwe won the three-match series by 2-1.
Andy Balbirnie, Harry Tector, and Lorcan Tucker help Ireland post 200+ total
Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bowl. Ireland didn’t have a decent start as they lost the wicket of Paul Stirling in the seventh over. By the time the 14th over was completed, the team had lost one more wicket.
Andy Balbirnie and Harry Tector added 86 runs for the third wicket for the team. Balbirnie was dismissed after scoring 64 runs off 99 deliveries, while Tector made 51 runs off 84 deliveries. Lorcan Tucker provided the finishing touch to the innings with his knock of 61 runs off 54 deliveries.
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Zimbabwe’s bowlers bowled with discipline
Ireland posted a total of 240 runs for the loss of six wickets in 50 overs. Richard Ngarava and Trevor Gwandu were the pick of the bowlers for Zimbabwe and took two wickets each. Blessing Muzarabani and Wellington Masakadza shared one wicket each among themselves.
Ben Curran stole the show with the bat
Ben Curran, the younger brother of English all-rounders Sam and Tom Curran, made a name for himself in this game. Ben opened the innings for Zimbabwe along with Brian Bennett added 121 runs for the first wicket.
Bennett was dismissed in the 20th over after scoring 48 runs off 48 deliveries. Ben kept holding the other end and had a pretty great outing with the bat. He made his debut ODI hundred and remained unbeaten.
Ben received good support from skipper Craig Ervine. Ervine remained not-out on 69 runs off 59 deliveries. Both these batters helped Zimbabwe win the match by nine wickets in 39.3 overs.
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Best Batting Peformance in IRE vs ZIM, 3rd ODI
Ben Curran (Zimbabwe)
- The 28-year-old batter scored his maiden ODI century in the third ODI.
- He made 118 runs off 130 deliveries and hit 14 fours during the innings.
Andy Balbirnie (Ireland)
- Made the highest individual score for Ireland in the game.
- Was dismissed after scoring 64 runs off 99 deliveries.
Best Bowling Peformance in IRE vs ZIM, 3rd ODI
Richard Ngarava (Zimbabwe)
- Opened the bowling for Zimbabwe.
- He picked up two wickets for just 42 runs in 10 overs.
Trevor Gwandu (Zimbabwe)
- Finished with two wickets to his name and gave away 44 runs from 10 overs.
- Bowled one of the two maiden overs bowled during Ireland’s innings.
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