Harare – In a thrilling conclusion to the ODI series, Zimbabwe outclassed Ireland with a dominant nine-wicket victory, thanks to Ben Curran’s unbeaten century. Chasing a target of 241, Zimbabwe reached 246-1 in just 39.3 overs, showcasing their batting prowess.

Player of the Match: Ben Curran

The 26-year-old opener, Ben Curran, was the star of the show, scoring a remarkable 118 not out off 130 balls. His innings included 14 boundaries, marking his first international century since his debut for Zimbabwe in December 2022. Curran’s brother, England’s Sam and Tom, would undoubtedly be proud of his performance.

Ireland’s Innings Breakdown

Ireland posted a respectable total of 240-6 in their 50 overs, with notable contributions from Andrew Balbirnie (64), Lorcan Tucker (61), and Harry Tector (51). Their partnerships provided a solid foundation, but it wasn’t enough to defend against Zimbabwe’s aggressive batting.

• Balbirnie and Tector shared an 86-run partnership for the third wicket.
• Tucker and Mark Adair added 67 runs for the sixth wicket.

Zimbabwe’s Bowling Highlights

Richard Ngarava and Trevor Gwandu were the standout bowlers for Zimbabwe, claiming 2-42 and 2-44 respectively.

Zimbabwe’s Run Chase

Zimbabwe’s chase was led by Brian Bennett, who scored a quickfire 48 off 48 balls before falling lbw to Graham Hume. The opening pair’s effort set the stage for Curran and captain Craig Ervine (39*) to steer Zimbabwe to a comfortable victory.

Series Recap

• Zimbabwe won the first ODI by 49 runs.
• Ireland leveled the series with a six-wicket win in the second ODI.
• Zimbabwe clinched the series 2-1 with this decisive victory.

Looking Ahead The two teams will now face off in a three-match T20 series, starting on Saturday, as part of Ireland’s tour of Zimbabwe. Ireland will be without opener Ross Adair, who has been sidelined with a calf injury.

Historical Context This series win adds to Zimbabwe’s growing confidence in international cricket, while Ireland continues to build their reputation as a competitive side.