Ireland tour of Zimbabwe

ZIM vs IRE, 3rd T20I

Preview

The third and final T20 match between Zimbabwe and Ireland will be played on Sunday, January 15 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.

The Hosts failed to carry the momentum from the first T20I match and were bowled out with 144 runs in 20 overs in the second match of the T20I series. Zimbabwe's skipper Craig Ervine top-scored with 42 off 40 while the opener Innocent Kaia contributed with 25 off 14 in the 2nd game against Ireland. The experienced pacer Grama Hume, who was not part of the first match, was the best bowler for the Irish side with three wickets while conceding just 17 runs. The Irish all-rounder Harry Tector also shone with two wickets while Mark Adair and Gareth Delany grabbed one wicket each. 

The Visitors started well with opener Andy Balbirnie scoring 33 off 31 and Ross Adair scoring his first-ever international fifty (65 off 47) while chasing the target of 145 runs. However, Ryan Burl grabbed two wickets to keep Zimbabwe alive in the game. But eventually, Ireland survived a scare to win the game with just two balls remaining. The Hosts lost the game but they have won three of their last four T20I encounters against Ireland and now they will face them in the series decider on Sunday.

The part leg-spinner for his side, Ryan Burl (4-0-26-2), was also named Player of the match for his fantastic bowling in the first match. tried his best in the second match as well but he did not receive any support from another end which cost the Hosts six wickets lost against the visitors.

For The Hosts, the all-rounder Sikandar Raza will miss this series due to commitments in other T20 leagues in another country. Craig Ervine and Tadiwanashe Marumani will be the openers for this T20I series against Ireland. The left-handed batter Gary Ballance will continue to bat in the middle order along with Craig Ervine for the Hosts. the all-rounder and match-winner for Zimbabwe Sean Williams will be the key all-rounder with Ryan Burl. The fast bowler Richard Ngarava could be the MVP for the team with his bowling exploits.

Match Details

Match: ZIM vs IRE, 3rd T20I, Ireland tour of Zimbabwe, 2023

Date: Sunday, January 15th, 2023

Time: 04:30 PM (Jan 15)

Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe

Pitch Report: 

The pitch here at Harare Sports Club has hosted 38 T20I games in which the team batting first won 23 games. The average score here is 146 runs but we just saw the low-scoring game at this venue with 118 runs in the first match and in the second match 144 runs. The previous game was a low-scoring one and this game can go in the same direction. The 37 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 27°C, a low of 16°C with 62% humidity, and a wind speed of 14 Km/hr for the third T20I on Sunday between Zimbabwe and Ireland. Also, there is a hint of cool conditions after a slightly chill afternoon with slight rain with overcast weather. However, unfortunately, rainfall is expected in the next week in Harare. We may have some rain in the third and final T20I with a 40% chance of it.

ZIM vs IRE Squads:

Probable Playing XI

ZIM: T Marumani, CR Ervine(C), I Kaia, RP Burl, SC Williams, W Madhevere, B Evans, Clive Madande, TL Chatara, R Ngarava, WP Masakadza

IRE: H Tector, Gareth Delany, A Balbirnie(C), TE Kane, Curtis Campher, GH Dockrell, GI Hume, GR Adair, Fionn Hand, S Doheny, MR Adair

Match Prediction:

Ireland levelled the series 1-1 on Saturday after winning the second T20I series of the 3-match T20 series against Zimbabwe. The Visitors have lost their last 2 games while ZIM has won 1 and lost 4 of their last 5 games. In head-to-head battles, The Hosts have won all the last 2 games. The form and the conditions suggest Zimbabwe will win this game and seal the series by 2-1 on Sunday against Ireland.

Suggested Playing XI Real11 Fantasy Cricket