1st T20I, Dublin, August 27, 2021, 04:30 PM
Zimbabwe
117/7(20.0ov)
Ireland
114/9(20.0ov)
Zimbabwe beat Ireland by 3 runs
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Regis Chakabva
Commentry
Right then. That's it from the coverage of this game. Zimbabwe have made a very good start to the tour and they will look to continue while Ireland will look to bounce back. The second T20I will be played on Sunday, 29th August at 1200 local (1100 GMT). Till then, take care and goodbye!
Regis Chakabva wins the Man of the Match award for his hard-fought 47 runs in this low scoring game. He says that he just aimed to take it deep as much as he could. Goes onto say the pitch was a little bit tricky and he had to take it slow. Mentions he enjoyed his time out on the field. Ends by saying credit to the bowlers, they came out and really stuck to the game.
Craig Ervine, the skipper of Zimbabwe is up for a chat. He says they went back on a low score, but their players were pumped up in the field and they delivered. Adds that it was a team effort which let them get over the line. Adds the spinners all did well together, and Burl was excellent today.
Andy Balbirnie, the Ireland skipper, is up for a chat. He says that he's very disappointed with the loss. They started tentatively with the bat, if not for Simi Singh things could've been worse. Mentions he was happy with his bowlers, but also says they should've chased a low target. Goes onto say they will go onto work on their mistakes and rectify the same before the next game.
Ireland did not get going at all in the run chase. None of their batters got a start except Simi Singh who tried hard and they have been defeated quite comfortably in the end. They needed someone to stay out there but that did not happen.
Zimbabwe were superb throughout with the ball. Everybody bowled superbly and they were terrific. Ryan Burl was the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets while he was supported brilliantly by Wellington Masakadza and Luke Jongwe. In the end, they managed to defend a total of 117 runs, a huge credit to the bowlers.
We have had a thriller of a match here and it is Zimbabwe who have managed to defend a paltry total. A superb show from them with the ball and they will be glad with the effort. Ireland will be deeply disappointed as this should have been a comfortable chase.
In over# 20
1
0W
0W
1
0
0
Richard Ngarava 17/1(4)
19.6
1
Simi Singh could not manage to end the game on his own, but he put in a good fight till the last ball. A full-length ball, around off. Simi Singh comes across and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single. ZIMBABWE WIN THE GAME BY 3 RUNS. They have successfully managed to defend a low score and take a 1-nil lead in this series.
Benjamin White is the last man to walk out.
19.5
W
OUT! RUN OUT! A short ball, on off. Young looks to heave it away but misses. The ball goes to the keeper, who throws it back to the bowler. Richard Ngarava turns and clips the bails at the non-striker's end. Craig Young is short of the crease and he has to depart on a duck. Simi Singh needs to hit the next ball out of the park to get the win for his team or a boundary to make it to the Super Over.
Who will walk out at number 10? It is going to be Craig Young.
19.4
W
OUT! TIMBER! Richard Ngarava gets his first wicket of the game and what a time to get it. Ngarava serves it full and wide outside off. Barry McCarthy gets behind the line and looks to paddle scoop it over the keeper's head, but he only manages to drag it onto the stumps. Barry McCarthy has to depart.
19.3
1
Full on the pads, Simi works it to square leg for a single.
19.2
.
Good length ball outside off, Simi looks to cut but misses.
19.1
.
Very full outside off, Simi Singh looks to drive but misses. 6 needed in 5.
In over# 19
1
1
0
1
0
1wd
2lb
Luke Jongwe 17/2(4)
18.6
1
On middle, Singh flicks it to the leg side for a single.
18.5
1
Short ball on off, McCarthy pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one
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