Last Updated:
After the early lack of opener Andy Balbirnie (11), Stirling (89) and Campher (63) placed on 144 runs for the second wicket to steer the tourists toward a convincing victory.
Ireland beat Zimbabwe by 6 wickets in 2nd ODI. (Picture Credit: X/@cricketireland)
Captain Paul Stirling, Mark Adair and Curtis Campher played pivotal roles as Ireland beat Zimbabwe by six wickets on Sunday to level a one-day international series with one match left.
Put in to bat, the hosts made 245 in 49 overs, thanks largely to a fourth-wicket partnership between Wessly Madhevere (61) and Sikandar Raza (58) at Harare Sports Club.
Seamer Adair (4-54) and quick Campher (3-13) excelled with the ball, with the latter taking his three wickets off six deliveries.
After the early lack of opener Andy Balbirnie (11), Stirling (89) and Campher (63) placed on 144 runs for the second wicket to steer the tourists toward a convincing victory.
A 4 from Lorcan Tucker from the fourth ball of the penultimate over sealed victory for the visitors, who began an all-format tour with a 63-run win in a one-off Test.
The Zimbabwe bowlers struggled with medium-pacer Trevor Gwandu (2-50) producing the very best figures.
The teams meet again on Tuesday within the third and final ODI with all to play for after Zimbabwe won the primary match by 49 runs on Friday.
“We were the higher team. Wessly and Sikandar batted well, then Curtis struck some decisive blows,” said Stirling.
“Restricting Zimbabwe to 245 boosted our morale as that was a goal we could chase. Matches come thick and fast today and now we must prepare for the decider.”
Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine (4) said: “We’d like about 280 to be competitive. Losing three wickets in quick succession was an enormous setback.
“More early wickets could have produced a special consequence, however the partnership between Paul and Curtis set it up for them.”
Battling cramps, Stirling needed to accept a thirty first ODI half-century after a miscued pull shot off Richard Ngarava took a vanguard and Madhevere made a catch at extra cover.
His departure after a 102-ball stand that included two sixes and eight fours left Ireland 200-4, and unbeaten knocks from Tucker (36) and George Dockrell (20) accomplished the duty.
Earlier, Campher claimed a seventh half century before being trapped leg before by Gwandu attempting a pull shot.
Zimbabwe opener Brian Bennett, who struck 169 in the primary ODI, could only make 30 and his team were 77-3 when Madhevere and Raza got here together.
Madhevere fell leg before to a Campher delivery geared toward off stump, and a spectacular low catch at deep mid wicket from Hector Tector sent Raza to the pavilion.
Temporary scores
Zimbabwe: 245 (Wessly Madhevere 61, Sikandar Raza 58; Mark Adair 4-54, Curtis Campher 3-13) vs Ireland: 249-4 (Paul Stirling 89, Curtis Campher 63)
Result: Ireland won by six wickets
Series: 1-1 ahead of ultimate match on Tuesday
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – AFP)
- Location :
Harare, Zimbabwe
