Ireland dominates first Women’s ODI, registers 97-run victory over Zimbabwe

Table of Contents

Ireland’s batting prowess sets high target
Zimbabwe’s top-order collapse proves costly

Ireland delivered a comprehensive all-round performance on Saturday, July 26, to defeat Zimbabwe by 97 runs in the opening One-Day International of their two-match series. The commanding win at home leaves the touring Zimbabwean side still searching for their first white-ball victory. Ireland’s top-order laid a strong foundation, propelling them to a competitive total, which proved too formidable for Zimbabwe’s struggling batting lineup to chase.

Ireland’s batting prowess sets high target

After being asked to bat first, Ireland’s openers, Sarah Forbes (54) and captain Gaby Lewis (51), set the tone with an impressive 116-run partnership, frustrating the Zimbabwean bowlers. While Lewis, the more aggressive of the two, departed soon after her fifty, Forbes continued her strong showing, adding a swift 40 runs in just 5.1 overs alongside Amy Hunter. Hunter herself contributed a brisk 43 off 38 deliveries, narrowly missing a half-century. Orla Prendergast maintained the scoring rate with a quickfire 52 off 52 balls before being stumped. Laura Delany’s run-a-ball 34 guided Ireland past the 250-run mark. Despite a late collapse, where Ireland lost their last six wickets for only 35 runs, preventing them from breaching the 300-run mark, their final total of 288/9 presented a significant challenge.

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Zimbabwe’s top-order collapse proves costly

The 289-run target immediately looked daunting for Zimbabwe as their top-order crumbled under pressure. Orla Prendergast, starring with the ball as well, struck twice in consecutive overs during her opening spell, reducing Zimbabwe to a precarious 17/2. By the end of the Powerplay, they were reeling at 34/3. Skipper Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (68) and Beloved Biza attempted a recovery with a resilient 68-run stand, stemming the flow of wickets for nearly 12 overs. However, Lara McBride’s crucial twin strikes ignited another collapse, as Zimbabwe lost four wickets for just 39 runs. Despite an unbeaten 32 off 71 balls from Runyararo Pasipanodya, which kept them mathematically in the contest until the penultimate over, the early damage proved insurmountable for the visitors.