Ireland triumphed over Zimbabwe by six wickets in Harare, leveling the ODI series. The highlight of the match was a 144-run partnership between Paul Stirling and Curtis Campher, leading Ireland to chase down a target of 245 runs with eight balls remaining. Zimbabwe’s key scores came from Wesley Madhevere and Sikandar Raza, but Ireland’s bowling efforts, especially from Campher, shifted the momentum. The teams will compete again soon for the series decider.
In an impressive display, Ireland secured a six-wicket victory over Zimbabwe, leveling the ODI series in Harare. Ireland successfully chased down Zimbabwe’s total of 245 runs, with standout performances from captain Paul Stirling, who scored 89, and Curtis Campher, who contributed 63 runs. Their partnership of 144 runs was key to Ireland’s win, achieving 249 runs with 8 balls remaining.
Zimbabwe set a target of 245 runs after being dismissed in 49 overs. Wesley Madhevere and Sikandar Raza contributed significantly with scores of 61 and 58 respectively, stabilizing the innings as the hosts faltered at 73-3. Despite their efforts, Zimbabwe could not build on this foundation, with Mark Adair claiming four wickets for Ireland.
After winning the toss, Ireland opted to field. Initial pressure mounted as Zimbabwe struggled, but came alive with the partnership between Madhevere and Raza. However, Campher’s bowling breakout, which included three wickets for just 13 runs, shifted the momentum firmly in Ireland’s favor, leading to the dismissal of Zimbabwe for 245.
In Ireland’s response, Andrew Balbirnie fell early for 11 runs, but Stirling and Campher’s solid partnership guided them to a commanding position of 171 for 1. Their late contributions from Lorcan Tucker (30) and George Dockrell (20) sealed their victory and highlighted their batting depth.
Stirling reflected on the match, stating, “I think we were better [than the first ODI] – there’s no lull in that middle period… Curtis really turned the game on its head. I think 250 was about right for us to chase and we got there.”
Ireland’s comprehensive victory over Zimbabwe not only leveled the ODI series but showcased the team’s resilience and batting strength. The performance of Stirling and Campher was particularly notable, as their partnership proved decisive. Additionally, effective bowling from Campher altered the match’s momentum, allowing Ireland to chase down the target efficiently. The decider on Tuesday promises to be an exciting matchup as both teams aim for the series win.
Original Source: www.newzimbabwe.com
