Player of the Match
Player of the Match

4:35pm Right. That will be that from us for this game. Hope you enjoyed our coverage. The match report by Ashish will be up shortly, make sure you jump into it to recount all that happened today at the Harare Sports Club. Until next time, this is me, Shashwat, signing off on behalf of Ashish, Harshith, Sudeep and everyone else at ESPNcricinfo. Take care!

Paul Stirling, Ireland captain: We are getting better with each game. Slightly disappointed we came off for rain the last game. (On Little's bowling performance) That was one of the best spells I have seen. It was backed up at the other end. Bowling in partnerships is key and we did that well today. (On the pitch) One of those surfaces where 200 was probably a good score. That Josh Little spell was the main difference. (On the third ODI) We wanted to go 1-0 up and we managed to tick that box. There is a series to win and we will come back hungry.

Sikandar Raza; Zimbabwe captain: (On the batting display) Take nothing away from Josh Little. When you lose four wickets for 19, it is a rescue operation. That has unfortunately been a pattern (for us). Just hoping we can get a partnership at the start and get a good total on the board. It is one thing not to have quality cricketers like Craig and Sean. I have always said opportunities come at funny times and if you can capitalise, you can have a great career. Credit to Burl, Madande and Masakadza for the way they resurrected the innings. (On the bowling performance) Lots of inside edges and outside edges went against us, could not have asked for more from the bowlers. (On what he felt would have been par) We did not think we would get there (to a 200-plus total). I thought if we got there, it would be interesting but we could not get there. They chased it comfortably and easily, despite the bowlers giving their everything. (On Ryan Burl's availability) Burl is in with a 50-50 shout (to play the next game) but it is not looking very good. The doctors are keeping an eye on him.

Josh Little, Player of the Match: Nice to get the team a win. Nice to have some personal success on a special day for me. The wicket in the first few games did not allow a lot of swing. Managed to beat the bat today a few times and it kept the ball new, fortunately managed to swing it. That (the in-swinger) is a decent option to the right-handers so that is definitely a plan. I was quite sore after the spell so hopefully I can get into the ice bath and be back for Sunday.

4:15pm Ireland made heavy weather of that run-chase but in the end, they got the job done. That was largely down to Campher's 66, which helped Ireland consolidate after the early departure of Balbirnie. Tector, Tucker and Adair also played useful cameos, meaning that Ireland, despite losing six wickets, never really lost control of the run-chase.

Zimbabwe, on the other hand, would feel gutted, especially after the way they bowled. Their lines and lengths were largely consistent and they kept asking pertinent questions. Muzarabani was the pick of the bowlers. Mavuta was not bad either with his variations in the middle overs. Ultimately, though, it came down to how many runs Zimbabwe had on the board and today, they just did not have enough to make the most of their tidy bowling display.

40.1
4
Ngarava to Adair, FOUR, Adair seals the deal! Ireland take a 1-0 lead, and they have been full value for this win! Drops it short and Adair is waiting for it. Arches his back to create room and ramps it over the keeper's head. Smiles all around in the Irish camp, and with the first game being abandoned, Ireland cannot lose this series now!

For what it is worth, Zimbabwe can now have five fielders outside the circle. Here is Ngarava

END OF OVER:
40 | 4 Runs 1 Wkt | IRE: 166/6 (1 run required from 60 balls, RR: 4.15, RRR: 0.10)

  • Andy McBrine0 (2b)
  • Mark Adair21 (28b)
  • Tanaka Chivanga7-0-47-1
  • Richard Ngarava8-0-39-1
39.6
0
Chivanga to McBrine, no run, full and angled across the batter outside off. McBrine comes forward and smashes it over extra cover to win it leaves it alone
39.5
0
Chivanga to McBrine, no run, dug into the track on middle and leg. McBrine gets up on his toes and defends

McBrine joins Adair. Can he finish things off without any further hiccups? Just one needed...

39.4
W
Chivanga to Dockrell, OUT, straight up and Raza holds on! Back of a length on off stump and this one just stands up a smidgen. Dockrell, trying to whack it over mid wicket, cannot get on top of it and miscues it. Goes a mile up but when it comes down in the mid wicket region, Raza gobbles it up. A bit of an anti-climax, really!

GH Dockrell c Sikandar Raza b Chivanga 8 (42m 23b 0x4 0x6) SR: 34.78

39.4
1w
Chivanga to Dockrell, 1 wide, full toss speared down the leg side, and that is some more exercise for the umpire. Scores level now!
39.3
1
Chivanga to Adair, 1 run, slower bumper down leg. Adair gets inside the line and swings it away towards fine leg
39.2
2
Chivanga to Adair, 2 runs, angled into the stumps. Adair gets his front foot out of the way and swings for the hills, shanking it past mid wicket for a brace
39.1
0
Chivanga to Adair, no run, oh dear! Hard length on off stump and the ball rushes onto Adair. He has a mow across the line and cloths it badly. The ball hangs tantalizingly in the air but Muzarabani misjudges it terribly at mid on

END OF OVER:
39 | 8 Runs | IRE: 162/5 (5 runs required from 11 overs, RR: 4.15, RRR: 0.45)

  • Mark Adair18 (25b)
  • George Dockrell8 (22b)
  • Richard Ngarava8-0-39-1
  • Tanaka Chivanga6-0-43-0
38.6
1
Ngarava to Adair, 1 run, low full toss outside off. Adair comes forward and pushes it to mid off for a single

Ireland one hit away from victory now

38.6
1w
Ngarava to Adair, 1 wide, too short and this balloons over the batter's head. Called a wide for height
38.5
0
Ngarava to Adair, no run, short delivery on leg stump. Adair decides to duck under this one and does so rather comfortably
38.4
4
Ngarava to Adair, FOUR, dispatched! Half-tracker on middle and leg, and Adair takes full toll. Stands tall and pummels it behind square for four!
38.3
1
Ngarava to Dockrell, 1 run, shortish on leg stump. Dockrell gets inside the line and glances it down to fine leg
38.2
1
Ngarava to Adair, 1 run, back of a length on leg stump. Adair lets the ball come to him before working it towards deep mid wicket
38.1
0
Ngarava to Adair, no run, hard length on off stump. Adair gets on top of the bounce and drops it into the off side with soft hands

END OF OVER:
38 | 8 Runs | IRE: 154/5 (13 runs required from 12 overs, RR: 4.05, RRR: 1.08)

  • George Dockrell7 (21b)
  • Mark Adair12 (20b)
  • Tanaka Chivanga6-0-43-0
  • Richard Ngarava7-0-31-1
37.6
2
Chivanga to Dockrell, 2 runs, dug in short on off stump. Dockrell hops up onto his toes, lifts up his front leg and muscles it over mid wicket for a couple of runs
37.5
0
Chivanga to Dockrell, no run, sharp bumper outside off. Dockrell sways out of the way in hurried fashion
37.4
1
Chivanga to Adair, 1 run, missed opportunity! Back of a length at the stumps. Adair bunts it to mid wicket and sets off for the single. He is always struggling, though, and the only reason he is still out there is because Raza missed with his shy at the stumps
37.3
0
Chivanga to Adair, no run, half-volley outside off. Adair gets decent purchase on his cover drive but cannot beat the fielder at short extra cover
37.3
1w
Chivanga to Adair, 1 wide, slides this down leg. No bat involved and the umpire has no qualms in calling it a wide
37.2
4
Chivanga to Adair, FOUR, edged and four! Length outside off and Adair, seeing the width, throws the plumbing at it. A massive outside edge and the ball races away past the keeper

Ireland 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st0A BalbirniePR Stirling
2nd29PR StirlingC Campher
3rd52C CampherHT Tector
4th43C CampherLJ Tucker
5th8GH DockrellLJ Tucker
6th34GH DockrellMR Adair
7th4AR McBrineMR Adair