Zimbabwe registered a hard-fought three-wicket victory over Ireland in the second T20I of the three-match series, held at the Harare Sports Club. After the series opener was abandoned due to rain, this contest provided an exciting showdown, with Zimbabwe successfully chasing down Ireland’s 137/8 with four balls to spare.
Ireland’s struggles with the bat
After winning the toss, Zimbabwe opted to bowl first, and their decision paid off as their bowlers kept Ireland in check throughout the innings. Paul Stirling’s early departure for just 1 run off 4 balls set the tone for a challenging innings. Wicketkeeper-batter Lorcan Tucker led the charge with 46 off 40 balls, including three fours and a six, while Harry Tector (28 off 20) and Curtis Campher (26 off 25) played supporting roles.
However, Ireland’s middle and lower order failed to capitalize on these contributions, as wickets kept falling at regular intervals. Trevor Gwandu was the pick of the bowlers for Zimbabwe, taking 3/24 in his four-over spell, while Sikandar Raza (2/22) and Richard Ngarava (2/38) provided crucial breakthroughs. Blessing Muzarabani also chipped in with a disciplined 1/21 from four overs, restricting Ireland to 137/8 in 20 overs.
Zimbabwe’s gritty chase
Chasing 138 for victory, Zimbabwe got off to a shaky start, losing their top three batters (Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani and Wesley Madhevere) for just 14 runs within the first four overs. However, captain Raza (22 off 27) and Ryan Burl (27 off 20) steadied the innings, building a crucial partnership that brought Zimbabwe back into the contest.
The standout performer of the match was Tony Munyonga, who played a composed knock of 43 not out off 30 balls, anchoring Zimbabwe’s innings when pressure was mounting. His innings, which included five boundaries, was instrumental in guiding his team towards victory.
As the game neared its conclusion, Tashinga Musekiwa (15 off 11) and Richard Ngarava (12 off 7) held their nerve to take Zimbabwe over the line with just four balls to spare, finishing at 141/7 in 19.2 overs.
Zimbabwe lead the 3-match T20I series 1-0 💯#Cricket #ZIMvIRE #Zimbabwecricket pic.twitter.com/AqWIqTbXyw
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 24, 2025
Also READ: ICC Rankings
Ireland’s bowlers put up a spirited fight, with Craig Young leading the attack by claiming four wickets for just 24 runs in his four overs. Josh Little (1/34), Ben White (1/21) and Harry Tector (1/5 in his solitary over) also contributed, but they fell short in defending the total as Zimbabwe held their composure in the final overs.
Player of the Match
For his game-changing knock, Tony Munyonga was named Player of the Match, playing a pivotal role in Zimbabwe’s chase.
Zimbabwe’s victory has set up an exciting decider on Tuesday (February 25) at the same venue, with both teams eager to leave their mark on the series. Fans can expect another thrilling contest as the two sides gear up for the final showdown.
