Getkate, O'Brien shine in Ireland's series-levelling win against Zimbabwe

SCORECARD

Zimbabwe decided to stick to the formula that worked for them in the first T20I and chose to bat in the second game. While the visitors remained unchanged, Ireland made one change to the team that lost the previous game, with Harry Tector coming in for Curtis Campher.

Zimbabwe got off to a good start, courtesy of their openers but lost their way towards the end of the Powerplay as both Wessley Madhevere and Tadiwanashe Marumani were back in the hut by the end of the six-over mark.

Dion Myers didn't last long at the crease and the wickets of Craig Ervine and Regis Chakabva in a space of three balls put Zimbabwe in a spot of bother at 65/5 at the end of 11 overs. Shane Getkate was the wrecker-in-chief for Ireland, accounting for three of the five wickets that fell.

Zimbabwe managed to claw their way back into the game in the second half of the innings thanks to an unbeaten 88-run stand between Milton Shumba and Ryan Burl, with Shumba assuming the role of the aggressor with a 27-ball 46*. Going at just over 6 rpo at the end of 15 overs, some late fireworks from the two propelled Zimbabwe to 152/5 at the end of 20 overs.

Ireland openers Paul Stirling and Kevin O'Brien too came out all guns blazing and made full use of the fielding restrictions, scoring 53 without a loss of a wicket in the Powerplay.

The introduction of Burl into the attack put the brakes on the scoring, who first removed the dangerous Stirling and then captain Andrew Balbirnie four overs later.

O'Brien, who got a life after Shumba dropped a simple catch off his own bowling, made full use of the reprieve and went on to bring up his half-century, his fourth in T20Is.

By the time Tendai Chatara scalped O'Brien, the equation was down to less than run-a-ball. From that point on, George Dockrell took over the mantle of the chase and his 26-ball 33* ensured that Ireland cross the line with nine balls to spare.

O'Brien was awarded the Player of the Match for his 60 off 41 balls. With the series all square at 1-1, the action now moves to Bready for the remainder of the five-match series.