ZIM vs IRE 2nd Match Prediction

ZIM vs IRE Team Previews

Zimbabwe

The first T20I between Zimbabwe and Ireland was a night game and a closely fought affair that went right down the wire. Batting first, Ireland scored 147 runs for the loss of eight wickets. The Zimbabwe team made heavy weather of this target but got there in the end for the loss of no wickets and on the last ball of the game. Sikandar Raza again was the top performer with the bat, with a superb 65 from 42 balls. He also was the leading bowler with a haul of three wickets for 28 runs.

The Ireland batting line-up made an excellent start to their innings, with most top-order batters contributing to the score. Sikandar Raza was the pick of the bowlers for Zimbabwe, picking up three wickets for 28 runs from his stipulated four overs. The opening ball bowlers, Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani, also picked up two wickets each. The Zimbabwe innings revolved around the efforts of their skipper Sikandar Raza. He scored a quick 65 from 42 balls with two sixes. He was supported well by the wicketkeeper-batsman Clive Madande.

Ireland

The Zimbabwe team edged the Ireland team on the match’s last ball. Just two runs were required on the final ball of the game. Still, Muzarabani succeeded in edging the last delivery that went wide of the wicketkeeper and handed over a narrow one-wicket win to Zimbabwe. This was the first-ever international game played under the light at this venue. Sikandar Raza was magnificent in this game and led the Zimbabweans to a win, registering a 1-0 series lead against Ireland.

The Irish players did well in the powerplays with both bat and ball. But the Zim skipper denied a win to the Irishmen. Andy Balbirnie got the Irish team off to a flyer, hitting Ngarava for three-four in the first over of the inning. Then he took on Muzarabani, hitting him for a four and a six. The Zimbabwean Muzarabani was rewarded for his patience when he trapped Paul Stirling with a low full toss. But Sikandar Raza was not to be denied. He attacked when the powerplay was over to knock out Andy Balbirnie. Irishmen struggled to keep up the momentum after this wicket.