New-look Zimbabwe host Ireland in white-ball tour
Zimbabwe and Ireland will call on fresh faces for their six white-ball matches that will end with three ODIs.
The T20I series between Zimbabwe and Ireland comes first and starts on 12 January, with every match shown live and FREE on ICC.tv in ALL regions (other than India).
The teams played in the format at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup last year, when Sikandar Raza blasted 82 from 48 balls to lead Zimbabwe to a competitive 174/7.
Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava then claimed two wickets each in the opening four overs to leave Ireland reeling at 22/4 before a middle-order recovery that took them to a respectable 143/9.
But Zimbabwe will be without their talisman Raza and speedster Muzarabani this time, while former England batter Gary Ballance is set to play for the country of his birth for the first time.
Ireland could use the three T20Is to blood some fresh talent including Mark Adair’s brother Ross, with the experienced Paul Stirling, Josh Little and Lorcan Tucker set to join the squad for the critical ODIs.
Two World Cup spots will be up for grabs later this year during the 2023 Cricket World Cup Qualifier. The tournament will feature 10 teams – the bottom five teams from the Super League, two three teams from League 2 and the top two teams from Qualifier play-offs.
Hosts Zimbabwe, who are currently 12th in the Super League standings with 45 points, will play in the Qualifiers and Ireland too could find themselves in the bottom five of the Super League if they don't improve their performances.
Ireland are currently placed 10th with 68 points, two spots below the direct qualification spots. They have three Super League games remaining against Bangladesh and will need to win at least two games out of three to confirm qualification while also depending on other results to go their way.
If Ireland are to play the qualifiers, they couldn't possibly ask for better preparation than facing hosts at their home ground.
The two teams have met in 16 ODIs for a square ledger at seven wins each, with one tie and one match ending in no result.
Their most recent ODI clashes were in September 2021 when Ireland won the rain-affected series 2-1.
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The Zimbabwe v Ireland matches will be shown live and FREE on ICC.tv in ALL regions (other than India).
Raza dazzles as Zimbabwe cruise to Ireland victory | Match Highlights | T20WC 2022
1st T20I: 12 January
2nd T20I: 14 January
3rd T20I: 15 January
1st ODI: 18 January
2nd ODI: 21 January
3rd ODI: 23 January
All six white-ball matches will be played at Harare Sports Club.
The T20Is will start at 13:00 local time (11:00 UTC).
The ODIs will start at 9:15 local time (7:15 UTC).
**Zimbabwe T20I squad:**Craig Ervine (captain), Gary Ballance, Ryan Burl, Tendai Chatara, Bradley Evans, Luke Jongwe, Innocent Kaia, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakazda, Tony Munyonga, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Sean Williams.
Ireland T20I squad: Andrew Balbirnie (captain), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Fionn Hand, Graham Hume, Tyrone Kane, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Ben White.
Ireland ODI squad: Andrew Balbirnie (captain), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Graham Hume, Tyrone Kane, Josh Little, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker.