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Zimbabwe clinch T20I Series as rain washes out final match against Ireland
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The third and final T20I between Zimbabwe and Ireland was abandoned due to persistent rain, securing a 1-0 series victory for the hosts following their win in the opening match.
The match at Harare Sports Club started after a delayed toss, with Ireland opting to bowl first in an 18-over-per-side contest due to overcast conditions. The visitors made key changes to their lineup, handing a T20I debut to Tim Tector, while Matthew Humphreys and Fionn Hand also featured in the squad.
A lively Zimbabwean crowd, accompanied by traveling Irish supporters, witnessed an early breakthrough for Ireland as Craig Young dismissed Tadiwanashe Marumani (7) in the second over. Humphreys then bowled Wessly Madhevere (0) with a well-disguised late-swinging arm-ball, leaving Zimbabwe struggling at 18/2.
Captain Sikandar Raza led the recovery with an aggressive knock of 34 runs off 27 balls, striking two fours and two sixes before falling to Gareth Delany, who picked up two wickets in the same over. Contributions from Tony Munyonga (26) and Tashinga Musekiwa (26*) guided Zimbabwe to a competitive total of 142/6 in their allotted 18 overs before rain interrupted play.
Ireland's bowlers kept the scoring in check, with Delany (2-5) and Josh Little (1-25) among the standout performers. Craig Young also chipped in with 2-38, although he conceded runs in the latter stages.
However, with the rain showing no signs of relenting, the umpires officially called off the game at 9:37 PM local time, handing Zimbabwe their second T20I series win over Ireland. The victory capped off a successful white-ball campaign for the hosts, who had earlier secured a 2-1 win in the ODI series in Harare. Ireland, meanwhile, had started their Zimbabwe tour with a commanding 63-run victory in the one-off Test match in Bulawayo.
MATCH SUMMARY
Ireland v Zimbabwe, T20I series in Zimbabwe, Harare Sports Club, 25 February 2025
Zimbabwe 142-6 (18 overs; S Raza 34; G Delany 2-5, C Young 2-38)
Match Abandoned due to rain
The match at Harare Sports Club started after a delayed toss, with Ireland opting to bowl first in an 18-over-per-side contest due to overcast conditions. The visitors made key changes to their lineup, handing a T20I debut to Tim Tector, while Matthew Humphreys and Fionn Hand also featured in the squad.
A lively Zimbabwean crowd, accompanied by traveling Irish supporters, witnessed an early breakthrough for Ireland as Craig Young dismissed Tadiwanashe Marumani (7) in the second over. Humphreys then bowled Wessly Madhevere (0) with a well-disguised late-swinging arm-ball, leaving Zimbabwe struggling at 18/2.
Captain Sikandar Raza led the recovery with an aggressive knock of 34 runs off 27 balls, striking two fours and two sixes before falling to Gareth Delany, who picked up two wickets in the same over. Contributions from Tony Munyonga (26) and Tashinga Musekiwa (26*) guided Zimbabwe to a competitive total of 142/6 in their allotted 18 overs before rain interrupted play.
Ireland's bowlers kept the scoring in check, with Delany (2-5) and Josh Little (1-25) among the standout performers. Craig Young also chipped in with 2-38, although he conceded runs in the latter stages.
MATCH SUMMARY
Ireland v Zimbabwe, T20I series in Zimbabwe, Harare Sports Club, 25 February 2025
Zimbabwe 142-6 (18 overs; S Raza 34; G Delany 2-5, C Young 2-38)
Match Abandoned due to rain
Source - AFP
