Ireland announces T20I, ODI and Test squads for Zimbabwe tour; Joshua Little returns

Table of Contents

Ireland’s all-format tour of Zimbabwe
New talent and key inclusions in Ireland’s squad
Zimbabwe’s current form and historic test rivalry
Ireland squads for the 2025 Zimbabwe tour:
Zimbabwe vs Ireland 2024: Complete schedule and fixture details

Cricket Ireland has officially announced their squads for the all-format tour of Zimbabwe, a series eagerly awaited by fans and players alike. Ireland’s squads will be led by experienced captains Andrew Balbirnie in the Test format and Paul Stirling in the ODIs and T20Is, showcasing a blend of stability and aggressive leadership.

Ireland’s all-format tour of Zimbabwe

The tour kicks off with a historic one-off Test match at the iconic Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, scheduled from February 6-10, 2025. This match is particularly momentous as it marks the first time Zimbabwe will host Ireland in the longest format, underlining the growing camaraderie and competition between these two nations. Following the Test, the action shifts to Harare for three ODIs on February 14, 16, and 18, followed by an exciting three-match T20I series on February 22, 23, and 25. All six limited-overs matches will be played at the Harare Sports Club, promising thrilling cricketing battles in both formats.

New talent and key inclusions in Ireland’s squad

Ireland’s squad sees exciting new inclusions, with Morgan Topping earning his maiden call-up to both the Test and ODI squads. His selection reflects Cricket Ireland’s commitment to nurturing young talent for the rigors of international cricket. Gavin Hoey, who debuted in October, retains his place in the ODI squad and is poised for a potential Test debut, marking another step forward in his budding career.

The return of paceman Joshua Little to the white-ball squads significantly bolsters Ireland’s bowling attack, providing both experience and aggression. Additionally, Gareth Delany and Barry McCarthy, returning from injuries, add depth to the side, while Craig Young’s omission from the T20 squad underscores the competition for places.

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Zimbabwe’s current form and historic test rivalry

This Test will be only the second meeting between Ireland and Zimbabwe in the longest format. Their first encounter, held in Belfast in July 2024, ended in a thrilling four-wicket victory for Ireland, a match remembered for its nail-biting finish and high-quality performances.

Zimbabwe enter this series after a demanding multi-format home campaign against Afghanistan, where they lost the T20I and ODI series 2-1 and 2-0, respectively. However, they showed resilience in the Test format, securing a draw in the rain-affected first match before competing in the ongoing second Test. With home advantage and the momentum from a hard-fought series, Zimbabwe will aim to challenge Ireland across formats.