Ireland deliver all-round blow to tie ODI series 1-1

SCORECARD

With the win Ireland have now jumped to the fifth spot in theICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League standings.

With bad weather about, the ODI was reduced to 38-overs-a-side before being further decreased to 32 overs when Ireland came to chase. Zimbabwe had posted a total of 131, however, DLS revised the target to 118 which Ireland comprehensively chased down with seven wickets in hand.

Earlier, Ireland opted to field first in the third and final ODI of the series. Opening the batting for Zimbabwe for the final time, Brendan Taylor took the first guard alongside Regis Chakabva at the other end.

Taylor however couldn't sign off with the bat in style, perishing to Josh Little (3/33) for seven runs clean bowled after a full heave of the bat missed the ball completely.

Chakabva soon followed Taylor. Little once again knocked over the stumps with an in-swinging delivery to send Chakabva back for five.

With both openers back in the hut for Zimbabwe, Craig Ervine and Wesley Madhevere initiated the rebuilding process from 15/2 after 5.2 overs. The two stitched together a clinical 59-run partnership in 63 deliveries.

As the partnership flourished, Madhevere threw his wicket away to Shane Getkate (1/25) for 16 runs - caught at mid-on by Paul Sterling. From 74/2, the visitors saw an implosion from which they could never recover.

A string of wickets fell to the off-spinner Andy McBrine (3/26), who was introduced last in the attack. Captain Ervine became his first victim, albeit he top-scored with 57 runs in 65 balls, with Sean Williams (4) and Luke Jongwe (10) the other two to fall.

Zimbabwe then limped to a total of 131 all out in 34 overs. However, another rain interruption reduced the match further to 32 overs and the revised target for Ireland was now 118.

Ireland proceeded with caution in their chase. Ireland openers, William Porterfield and Paul Stirling nevertheless put up an opening stand of 48 in 56 balls.

Then, Porterfield fell to Blessing Muzarabani for 16 runs after a tickle to the wicketkeeper. Sterling continued his onslaught and made a 40-ball 43 that included five fours and a couple of sixes.

Captain Andrew Balbirnie (34) took Ireland within touching distance of victory alongside Harry Tector (13*), who finished off the chase in the company of George Dockrell (0*) in the 23rd over.