Their returning T20 World Cup star Sikandar Raza provided some of that intent with a sparky 43 from 45 balls, but it was Burl who stood out, hitting eight boundaries in his 58 from 41 to give Zimbabwe a chance as the game reached its business end. Six and out from Brad Evans in the final over left Zimbabwe needing five from two to win the game, before new batter Willington Masakadza managed just a single off the penultimate delivery. Madande had struggled for fluency, failing to find the ropes in his eight balls faced.
Zimbabwe 144 vs Ireland 150/4 | Ireland won by 6 wickets
Last-ball thriller gets Zimbabwe-Ireland series off to a flierLast-ball thriller gets Zimbabwe-Ireland series off to a flier #ZIMvIRE Wednesday 18 January Wed 18 January The opening match of the One Day International series between Zimbabwe and Ireland came down to the final ball after a thrilling day’s cricket in Harare. MATCH CENTRE AND SCORECARD Centuries from captain Andy Balbirnie and Harry Tector had boosted Ireland to a first-innings total of 288/4, with a rain delay cutting the number of overs in the chase to 37. The momentum swung back and forth throughout the second innings, with six batters reaching double-figures but only Ryan Burl going on to the half-century mark with a fiery 59 from 41. Burl was run out in the final over but had already played his part in Zimbabwe smashing 23 runs from the last eight balls of the innings, to snatch victory at the last.
But in Mark Adair, Josh Little and Graham Hume, Ireland forced the home side behind the required rate and took wickets at regular intervals. Craig Ervine (38) and Gary Balance (23) picked up the pace slightly after an extremely slow start to the innings. But Zimbabwe needed some attacking intent lower down the order.
Zimbabwe vs Ireland Live Cricket Streaming Online of 1st ODI
