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Zimbabwe Clinch ODI Series as Ben Curran’s Century Powers Nine-Wicket Win
Zimbabwe delivered a dominant all-round performance in the final ODI against Ireland in Harare, securing a nine-wicket victory and claiming the three-match series 2-1. A disciplined effort from the Zimbabwean bowlers restricted Ireland to 240/6, before Ben Curran’s unbeaten 118 guided the hosts to a comfortable chase with 63 balls to spare.
Zimbabwe’s Bowlers Set the Tone for Victory
Early Breakthroughs Keep Ireland in Check
After opting to bowl first, Zimbabwe’s pacers made an immediate impact. Richard Ngarava (2/42), Blessing Muzarabani (1/47), and Trevor Gwandu (2/44) exploited early movement, reducing Ireland to 42/2 in 14 overs. Paul Stirling was the first to depart after a scratchy innings, followed by Curtis Campher, as Zimbabwe’s bowlers kept the scoring rate in check.
Balbirnie and Tector Provide Stability, But Lack Acceleration
Ireland’s recovery came through Andy Balbirnie (64) and Harry Tector (51), who put together a crucial 86-run partnership. However, their cautious approach meant that Ireland struggled to accelerate. Just when they looked set to shift gears, both batters fell in quick succession, preventing a late flourish.
Lorcan Tucker’s Late Surge Lifts Ireland to 240/6
While the Irish top order struggled to maintain momentum, Lorcan Tucker (61) played an aggressive knock, adding valuable runs in the final overs. He found brief support from Mark Adair (26 off 23 balls), but Zimbabwe’s death bowling remained precise, ensuring that Ireland failed to cross the 250-run mark.
Check out Zimbabwe’s recent cricket performances
Ben Curran’s Century Headlines Zimbabwe’s Commanding Chase
Explosive PowerPlay Gives Zimbabwe a Strong Start
Zimbabwe’s response was nothing short of spectacular. Ben Curran (118) and Brian Bennett (48)* took the attack to Ireland’s bowlers, hammering 77 runs in the first 10 overs. Curran, in particular, was aggressive, reaching his fifty before the PowerPlay ended.
A brief rain delay around the 17th over gave Ireland a slight hope, but once play resumed, Zimbabwe continued their dominance.
Craig Ervine and Curran Seal the Series for Zimbabwe
After Bennett fell just short of a half-century, Craig Ervine (69) joined Curran* and ensured there were no further hiccups. The duo stitched together an unbeaten 122-run partnership, guiding Zimbabwe to 246/1 in just 39.3 overs.
Ervine, who had also scored a fifty in the previous game, played fluently from the start. Meanwhile, Curran reached his well-deserved century, cementing Zimbabwe’s emphatic win.
Ireland Left to Regret Missed Opportunities
Ireland’s biggest downfall was their lack of intent during crucial moments. Despite Balbirnie and Tector’s contributions, the inability to accelerate meant they finished 20-30 runs short of a competitive total. With the Harare pitch easing up under the sun, Zimbabwe’s batters had little trouble chasing down the target.
Read more about Zimbabwe’s recent victories on ICC’s official website
Match Summary
🏏 Ireland 240/6 in 50 overs
(Andy Balbirnie 64, Lorcan Tucker 61, Harry Tector 51; Richard Ngarava 2/42, Trevor Gwandu 2/44)
🏏 Zimbabwe 246/1 in 39.3 overs
(Ben Curran 118, Craig Ervine 69*, Brian Bennett 48)*
🔹 Zimbabwe won by 9 wickets and claimed the ODI series 2-1
