Series digest for the 2023 Ireland tour of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe defeated Ireland by one wicket in the inaugural Twenty20 International played at the Harare Sports Club. Putting aside the disappointment of not qualifying for next year’s Twenty20 World Cup, Zimbabwe celebrated the occasion with a thrilling final over (the first international match to be played under lights in Zimbabwe).

Ireland, batting initially, got off to an excellent start and reached 44/0 in 4.2 overs prior to captain Paul Stirling being bowled leg-before-wicket. Andy Balbirnie, who had amassed six fours and one six in his 32 deliveries prior to this, was the subsequent one to depart as Sikandar Raza restrained him in an effort to slow the scoring rate. Raza additionally captured the crucial wickets of Curtis Campher and Harry Tector as the Ireland innings was in disarray. Ireland was floundering at 116/8 at one point prior to Gareth Delany’s crucial unbeaten 26 off 11 deliveries, which propelled the team to a fighting 147/8.

Following the dismissal of Zimbabwe at 21/2 by Barry McCarthy and Joshua Little, Raza emerged as the prominent batsman once more. Raza and Wessly Madhevere subsequently stabilized the vessel for a considerable duration, with Raza falling for 25. Zimbabwe were in contention despite Ireland’s continued efforts to close the gap at one end, but Raza was in fine form as he scored another fifty for the country. Zimbabwe were in the lead with 11 deliveries remaining. Raza remained at the crease, but his dismissal tipped the scales in favor of Ireland once more, as the hosts needed nine deliveries from the final six balls to complete the task. Richard Ngarava hit a boundary with the score six runs off three over, much to the delight of the home spectators. Mark Adair then made an outstanding catch with the penultimate delivery to keep his team in the chase, but Zimbabwe scored the final two runs thanks to an inside edge and a keeper error.