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Ireland tour of Zimbabwe, 1st T20I, ZIM vs IRE Preview and Fantasy Prediction

By Real11 - Jan 12 2023 440 Views

Ireland tour of Zimbabwe

ZIM vs IRE, 1st T20I

Preview

The first T20 match between Zimbabwe and Ireland will be played on Thursday, January 12 of the 3-match T20I series. The match will start at 4:30 PM IST. The venue of the match is Harare Sports Club, Harare. Both sides will face each other in a total of 6 matches for this tour, starting with 3 T20Is and 3 ODIs.

A total of 9 matches have been played so far between Zimbabwe and Ireland, in which Ireland has won the 5 matches and Zimbabwe has won the 4 matches. In the match played between the two teams in the 2022 T20 World Championship, Zimbabwe defeated Ireland by 31 runs last year in Australia.

The home side has an advantage because they are playing in their backyard, but Zimbabwe is aware of Ireland's threat, especially in the T20 format. Ireland, their opponent, is also lacking in star power. The most-experienced Irish batter Paul Stirling has been granted permission to play in the International T20, while left-arm pacer Josh Little will play in the inaugural SA20 Championship.

Former English batter Gary Balance will be the centre of attention as he returns to play for his birth country Zimbabwe. With talisman Sikandar Raza absent, The Hosts will be looking to Ballance to make significant contributions at the top.

Match Details

Match: ZIM vs IRE, 1st T20I, Ireland tour of Zimbabwe, 2023

Date: Thursday, January 12th, 2023

Time: 04:30 PM (Jan 12)

Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe

Pitch Report:

History always favours the batting first team at Harare Sports Club which has hosted 36 T20I matches in which the team batting first won 23 matches. The average score here is 148 for the first innings. The 36 games have seen scores over 190 only 7 times. So be prepared for a total of around 150 runs.

The maximum temperature will remain at 26 °C and a low of 14 °C with 88% humidity and a wind speed of 8 Km/hr for the first T20I on Thursday between Zimbabwe and Ireland. Also, there is a hint of cool conditions after a slightly warm afternoon. However, unfortunately, rainfall is expected in the next week in Harare. We might have some rain in the first T20I as well.

ZIM vs IRE Squads:

ZIM: Craig Ervine (C), Gary Ballance, Ryan Burl, Tendai Chatara, Bradley Evans, Luke Jongwe, Innocent Kaia, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Sean Williams

IRE: Andy Balbirnie (C), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Fionn Hand, Graham Hume, Tyrone Kane, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White

Probable Playing XI

ZIM: Innocent Kaia, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Gary Ballance, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Clive Mandade, Ryan Burl, Brad Evans, Tendai Chatara, Richard Ngarava, Luke Jongwe

IRE: Andrew Balbirnie, Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Tyrone Kane, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Neil Rock, Curtis Campher, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Fionn Hand.

Match Prediction:

Zimbabwe and Ireland are playing without their key players but still have retained their core in the opening contest of the 3-match T20I series. The home advantage will work in ZIM's favour and hence Zimbabwe is likely to win this match against the Irish side.

Suggested Playing XI Real11 Fantasy Cricket