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ЁЯЗоЁЯЗк Ireland Dominate Zimbabwe with All-Round Show to Take 1-0 Lead in ODI Series
Ireland Cruise to 97-Run Victory in Belfast
Ireland delivered a commanding performance in the first ODI of the two-match series, overpowering Zimbabwe by 97 runs in Belfast on Saturday, July 26. With three of their top four batters scoring fluent half-centuries and a disciplined bowling attack dismantling ZimbabweтАЩs batting order, Ireland took a crucial 1-0 lead in the white-ball contest.
Top-Order Fifties Lay Strong Foundation for Hosts
Forbes, Lewis, and Prendergast Lead the Charge
After being asked to bat first, IrelandтАЩs innings was built on a solid start by openers Sarah Forbes and Gaby Lewis. The pair added a 116-run partnership, frustrating the Zimbabwean bowlers early. Lewis played the aggressor with a brisk 51, while Forbes anchored the stand with a composed 54.
Following LewisтАЩ dismissal, Amy Hunter came in and continued the momentum with a quickfire 43 off just 38 balls. The middle-order kept the scoreboard ticking, thanks to Orla PrendergastтАЩs balanced innings of 50 in 52 balls and a useful 34 from Laura Delany. Despite a mini-collapse that saw Ireland lose their last six wickets for just 35 runs, they managed to post a competitive 288/9 in their 50 overs.
Kelis Ndhlovu was the standout bowler for Zimbabwe, claiming 3 wickets for 50 runs, while Tendai Makusha chipped in with 2 for 47.
Learn more about IrelandтАЩs top white-ball performers on our WomenтАЩs Cricket page.
ZimbabweтАЩs Batting Collapse Costs Them Dearly
Early Wickets Derail the Chase
Chasing 289 for victory, ZimbabweтАЩs innings was rocked early by IrelandтАЩs opening bowlers. Orla Prendergast, continuing her stellar all-round day, struck twice in her initial spell to leave Zimbabwe reeling at 17/2. Another wicket in the Powerplay saw them reduced to 34/3, putting the chase in serious trouble.
Captain Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano and Beloved Biza attempted to rebuild with a 68-run partnership, offering some resistance during the middle overs. However, Lara McBrideтАЩs twin strikes triggered a dramatic collapse, as Zimbabwe lost four wickets for just 39 runs. The visitors eventually folded for 191 in 48.1 overs.
Runyararo Pasipanodya was the lone standout in the lower order, grinding out an unbeaten 32 off 71 balls, but the effort was merely academic by that point.
IrelandтАЩs bowling was well-rounded, with Prendergast (2/20), Arlene Kelly (2/17), and Jae McGuire (2/25) all delivering crucial breakthroughs.
Ireland Eye Series Win with Momentum on Their Side
This resounding win gives Ireland a strong platform as they head into the final ODI, where theyтАЩll look to wrap up the series 2-0. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly and address their top-order woes if they hope to level the series.
Visit the official ICC WomenтАЩs Cricket Rankings for team standings and updates.
