Zimbabwe vs Ireland 1st T20I, stats at the Harare Sports Club

The first of three T20I matches between Zimbabwe and Ireland will be played on Thursday in Harare (January 12). Zimbabwe and Ireland will use fresh players in their six white-ball matches, which will be followed by three one-day internationals (ODIs) that might determine qualification for this year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. Last year, the teams competed in the format in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with Zimbabwe posting a commendable 174/7 thanks to Sikandar Raza’s 82 off 48 balls. Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava both took two wickets in the first four overs, putting Ireland at 22/4 before a middle-order revival carried them to a respectable 143/9.

However, Zimbabwe will be missing its talisman Raza and speedy Muzarabani this time, while former England batter Gary Ballance will play for the first time for his natal country. Ireland may use the three T20Is to identify new potential, like Mark Adair’s brother Ross, with the seasoned Paul Stirling, Josh Little, and Lorcan Tucker expected to join the group for the crucial ODIs.

Read more: SA20: Squads and broadcasting details for the inaugural season

ZIM vs IRE Head-to-Head in T20I

STATS – T20