Zimbabwe and Ireland will square off in the second of three T20I series matches on January 14 (Saturday) in Harare.
Zimbabwe and Ireland will square off in the second of three T20I series matches on January 14 (Saturday) in Harare. After winning the first game of the series, the hosts now lead the series 1-0. Gary Ballance made his international debut in this game as well. Batting at number four, the left-hander scored 30 runs off 29 balls with two fours and a six in a 115-run chase. Zimbabwe will play their first match after the T20 World Cup. They were knocked out of the tournament in the Super 12 stage. They defeated Pakistan in one of the tournament’s biggest upsets. The team will strive to win the game and keep the momentum going.
The Harare Sports Club pitch will favour batting. However, as the game develops, it may slow down and aid spinners in the second half. In the first T20I, the surface in Harare was exceedingly sluggish. Zimbabwe bowled 11 overs of spin in 19.2 overs, whereas Ireland utilised three spinners who bowled 10 overs out of 18 in the innings. With the second T20I taking place at the same site, it remains to be seen if a different surface will be available. If the same pitch is used, the surface will be even slower, making batting difficult. In that instance, the team that wins the toss will bat first.
The Zimbabwe vs Ireland 1st T20I match will not be televised in India.
Zimbabwe vs Ireland 1st T20I match is available to be streamed live on the Fan code app and website.
Zimbabwe: T Marumani, Craig Ervine (C), Gary Ballance, Ryan Burl, Sean Williams, Wesley Madhevere, Brad Evans, Clive Madande, Tendai Chatara, Richard Ngarava, Luke Jongwe
Ireland: Harry Tector, Gareth Delany, Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie (C), Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, G Adair, Lorcan Tucker, Mark Adair, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine
Rishabh Pant's explosive last-over blitz ignites IPL 2024 amid T20 World Cup comeback talks