2nd T20I, Dublin, August 29, 2021, 04:30 PM
Zimbabwe
152/5(20.0ov)
Ireland
153/3(18.3ov)
Ireland beat Zimbabwe by 7 wickets
Right then. That's it from the coverage of this game. The hosts have leveled the 5-match series and will be very happy with their performance. The third T20I will be played on Wednesday, 1st September at 3 pm Local (2 pm GMT). Do join us for the same. Till then, take care and goodbye!
Andy Balbirnie, the skipper of Ireland, says that he is happy that they chased it down with just 3 wickets down. Adds that he is really happy for Kevin O'Brien as he works very hard on his game. Says that in the last game they lost many early wickets and that hurt them but they are glad to have done better here.
Craig Ervine, the skipper of Zimbabwe, says that they finished quite well with the bat and credits Burl and Shumba for the same. Adds that losing early wickets is a concern and they are struggling with the bat at the start. Says that they are a pretty good fielding side but Ireland were much better than them.
Kevin O'Brien is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH, he says that it is nice to score runs for the team, after getting 0,0, and 2 in the previous matches. Says that he has so much experience now, after playing so much cricket that he knows how to score runs. Ends by saying he is happy for the win.
Zimbabwe would have wanted quick wickets at the start but that did not happen. They were instead put under the pump by Paul Stirling. Ryan Burl was the pick of the bowlers as he went for only 24 runs for his 2 wickets. Tendai Chatara was the other bowler who took a wicket but the rest of the bowlers had a tough game. Zimbabwe would look to change things around in the next game.
Ireland needed a good start and Kevin O'Brien and Paul Stirling provided just that. Paul Stirling was the aggressor and Ireland were off to a flier. Stirling got out after getting a start but Kevin O'Brien carried on and scored a fifty. Ireland did lose a couple of wickets in the last phase but the target was well within their reach and they got there with time to spare.
A well-deserved victory for Ireland. They batted really well and never really looked in big trouble. Things got a bit close towards the end but Ireland had wickets in hand and won this with ease.
In over# 19
4
4
4
Richard Ngarava 34/0(3.3)
18.3
4
FOUR! Edgy runs! A short ball, outside off. George Dockrell makes room and looks to heave it on the off side. But gets a thick outside edge to third man for a boundary. Ireland win by 7 wickets.
18.2
4
FOUR! Make it 4 runs now! A length ball, outside off. George Dockrell slashes it over covers for a boundary.
18.1
4
FOUR! Just 8 runs needed now! A length ball, on off. George Dockrell smashes it over the leaping cover fielder and the ball races away to the fence.
In over# 18
1
2
1
0
1
0
Luke Jongwe 25/0(3)
17.6
1
A length ball, on off, driven to covers for a single. 12 needed in 12 balls.
17.5
2
A full ball, angling on middle, George Dockrell flicks it to deep mid-wicket. The fielder there runs to his left, dives and does well to save a couple of runs.
17.4
1
A full ball, on off, eased down to long off for a single.
17.3
.
A pacy short ball, outside off. Harry Tector looks to pull it but misses it. The keeper collects and appeals for it straightaway but the umpire is unmoved.
17.2
1
A full ball, outside off, dragged to mid-wicket for a single.
17.1
.
A length ball, on off. George Dockrell pushes uppishly to short mid-wicket.
Luke Jongwe is back on. He went for 21 in his first two overs.
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