IRE VS ZIM T20I

Right then, that’s it from this game but there’s plenty more action remaining in this series. The third and final T20I of this 3-match series will be played at the same venue on Sunday, December 10th, and promises to be a mouth-watering contest. Do join us for it. That game will begin at 4.30 pm IST (11.00 am GMT). But as you know, you can always join us early for the build-up. Until then, goodbye and cheers!

Harry Tector is adjudged the player of the match for his stellar knock. He says that every game versus Zimbabwe goes down to the wire and it's great that the series is going into a decider. Adds that he was disappointed to get out at the wrong time but pleased that the other batters did the job. Closes by saying that he is happy with batting at number four and he hopes to carry on his form going ahead.

Paul Stirling, the Irish skipper says that he is happy to get over the line. Adds that it was a mature partnership between Tector and Campher. Shares that they did not start well but delighted that the other batters did the job. Closes by saying that the fielding needs to be better and they need to improve in the last game of the series.

Ryan Burl, the stand-in skipper for Zimbabwe says that the older boys have got a niggle and that he had to stand in. Shares that the wicket was good and their batters started well. Adds that losing wickets in a cluster did not help and they fell 15-20 runs short. Lauds Tinashe Kamunhukamwe for his form and he hopes that it continues. Mentions that they are always looking to learn and the bowlers did not have enough runs to defend in the end. Adds that they took the gamble by getting Brian Bennett in and it worked well for them. Ends by saying that they want to end the series with a win.

Time for the post-match presentations...

Earlier in the game, Zimbabwe were asked to bat first and they posted a competitive score of 165. Both the openers were dismissed early but Tinashe Kamunhukamwe up the ante and smacked runs all around the park. He departed at the wrong time and the hosts lost two more wickets after his dismissal. It was the key partnership of 87 runs between Clive Madande and Ryan Burl that got Zimbabwe out of rough waters and took them above 160. Mark Adair was the best of the Irish bowlers with 2 for 28 in his spell while Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, and Craig Young supported him well with a wicket each. The series is well and truly alive as we go into the third T20I.

Zimbabwe tried hard with the ball but conceded 15 extras and were pretty sloppy on the field. Richard Ngarava was the best bowler for Zimbabwe with 2 for 33 in his spell while Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu, Luke Jongwe, and Brian Bennett all chipped in with a wicket each to take the game right down to the wire. Ireland held their nerve in a tense chase and won in the final over.

Another close finish in Harare sees Ireland get home by 4 wickets with just 2 balls to spare. They were on the wrong side two nights ago but have pulled off a terrific chase today. Chasing 166 for the win, Ireland were three down inside the eight overs with their top three back in the hut. Harry Tector (48) and Curtis Campher (37) stitched an important 66-run stand and kept the required rate in check. Both the set batters were dismissed in quick succession and that left Ireland in a spot of bother. George Dockrell and Mark Adair came to the rescue and belted crucial runs to get a win for their side and level the series.

FOUR! WHAT A WIN! Ireland make it 1-1. Full again outside off. Dockrell throws his bat out and gets a thick outside edge that squirts past the keeper and to the third-man region for a streaky boundary but enough to take Ireland home.

In the air but put down. Full-length delivery outside off. Dockrell makes room and lifts it to the deep extra cover region. Tadiwanashe Marumani runs in from the boundary and spills a tough chance. Two runs are taken.

Full toss outside off. Delany flays it to the sweeper cover region for a single.

Gareth Delany walks in next.

OUT! CAUGHT! High in the air and taken! Luke Jongwe lands it full and on off. Adair clears his front leg and lofts it very high in the air. Gets the high but not the distance. The ball goes toward the long-on region where Brian Bennett settles under it and takes a crucial catch. A brilliant cameo from Mark Adair comes to an end.

Ireland need 7 runs to win off the final over. It will be Luke Jongwe to bowl. Can he defend this or will the Irish batters level the series? We will know soon. Don't go anywhere!

Yorker length delivery outside leg. Adair makes room and works it through backward square leg for a single to end the over.

LEG BYE! Short of a good length on the middle. Dockrell takes a blow on the body and bunts into the off-side for a leg bye.

Full-length delivery at the stumps. Adair whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.