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Friday March 29, 2024

Zimbabwe gear up for Ireland challenge

HARARE: Zimbabwe will try to carry the confidence of having stretched Pakistan recently when they take on Ireland in the first match of a three-match One-day International series in Harare on Friday (today). The two sides have met six times in ODIs so far, with Zimbabwe winning thrice. Their first-ever

By our correspondents
October 09, 2015
HARARE: Zimbabwe will try to carry the confidence of having stretched Pakistan recently when they take on Ireland in the first match of a three-match One-day International series in Harare on Friday (today).
The two sides have met six times in ODIs so far, with Zimbabwe winning thrice. Their first-ever encounter, in the 2007 World Cup, ended in a tie and Ireland have won twice, including the latest clash in the 2015 World Cup.
Despite going down to Pakistan, Zimbabwe will take confidence from their victory in the second game of the series. After going down by a massive 131-run margin in the first ODI, Zimbabwe made a good comeback in the second, squeezing out a five-run win on the Duckworth-Lewis Method after posting 276.
However, they lost by seven wickets after making just 161 even though the openers had given them a flying start.
The biggest concern for Zimbabwe will be the form of batsmen. The hosts were bowled out for just 128 and 161 in two of the three games against Pakistan, failing to bat out even 40 overs on both occasions.
Chamu Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura and Richmond Mutumbami made one half-century each but there wasn’t much contribution from the remaining batsmen.
Zimbabwe’s pace attack is led by Tinashe Panyangara but they depend on spinners for control in the middle overs.
Graeme Cremer, the legspinner, suffered an ankle injury in the second ODI against Pakistan, leaving the spin duties to Sean Williams and John Nyumbu.
This will be Ireland’s first ODI since the one-off game against Australia in Belfast that was hampered by rain.
Ireland put up a strong fight against the world champions but went down by 23 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis Method.
The batting line-up is filled with familiar and experienced names, with William Porterfield leading at the top.
The good news for Ireland is that Kevin O’Brien has recovered from a hamstring injury and has been included in the squad.
The allrounder last played in the World T20 Qualifier, where he was the fourth highest wicket-taker, and missed the game against Australia.