ZIM vs IRE Test match: Ireland beat Zimbabwe by four wickets after getting reduced to 33/5 in chase

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ZIM vs IRE: Ireland showed character and fought back to register a four-wicket win despite getting reduced to 33/5 while chasing 158 against Zimbabwe in the only Test match at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast.

Zimbabwe were hoping their first Test match since 2021, and only the third in last 10 years on Day 4 of the match but Lorcan Tucker (56 off 64) and Andy Mcbrine marred their plans with a match-winning 96-run partnership off 118 balls.

Image Courtesy: Ireland Cricket

Mcbrine, who scored 55 unbeaten runs off 82 balls, later partnered for 41 runs off 64 balls to take to take his team pass the winning line. Adair remained unbeaten on 24 off 38.

Zimbabwe left-arm pacer Richard Ngarava wreaked havock and his bowling figures read 4/12 in four overs when rain stopped play and stumps were called on Saturday, July 27. The other wicket was picked by right-hand pacer Blessing Muzarabani. However, wicketkeeper-batter Tucker was the only Irish batter to get out on Sunday. He was clean bowled by Muzarabani.

Ireland, who played their first Test match in 2018, have now won their last two games in the longest format of cricket. In February this year, they defeated Afghanistan by six wickets in Abu Dhabi. Overall, Ireland have lost seven and won two Test matches till date.

"We did believe last night. We had our two best batters out. It's been better to bat in the morning. That partnership was special. Fitting for Mark, hometown boy, to get us over the line," Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie said after the win.

Zimbabwe captain was applauded for his team's effort during the post-match presentation ceremony. He said middle-order batters disappointed in both the innings.

"We sort of made the same mistake in our first batting innings, our openers did well but the bottom order let us down in both innings. Maybe inexperienced played a part but we'll take learnings. Pacers were excellent."