AN UNBEATEN 43 from Tony Munyonga steered Zimbabwe to a three-wicket victory over Ireland, and a 1-0 lead with one match remaining of a Twenty20 series in Harare.
Ireland posted 137-8 in an innings temporarily delayed by rain with Lorcan Tucker (46) and Harry Tector (28) adding 53 runs for the second wicket after opener Paul Stirling was out for one.
Zimbabwe reached 141-7 in reply with four balls to spare. The third and final match is set for Tuesday after the first on Saturday was abandoned due to rain.
Ireland captain Stirling said: “We did not finish our innings well. Then there was a great knock by the player of the match (Munyonga).
“Craig (Young) is one of our stalwarts. He missed the ODI series due to a little niggle so we are glad to have him back.”
Curtis Campher (26) was the only other Irish batsman to reach double figures after they lost the toss, with their last five wickets falling for 36 runs.
Advertisement
Medium pacer Trevor Gwandu took three wickets and off-spinner Raza and fast medium pacer Richard Ngarava two each for the hosts.
Tucker, who struck a six and three fours off 40 balls, fell when he got a leading edge to a short-pitched Gwandu delivery and Brian Bennett took the catch at deep fine leg.
Tector, whose knock included four fours, departed earlier when he mistimed an attempted sweep off Raza and Wessly Madhevere darted forward to catch the ball.
Zimbabwe began disastrously in reply with fast medium pacer Young (4-24) taking the wickets of Bennett (8), Tadiwanashe Marumani (1) and Madhevere (1) to leave the hosts reeling at 14-3.
Ryan Burl (27) and Raza (22) came to the rescue with a 48-run fourth-wicket partnership before both departed within six balls, and Zimbabwe were 64-5 midway through the innings.
A big innings was needed and Munyonga rose to the occasion, striking five fours in a 30-ball stand.
The only disappointment for the 26-year-old was falling two runs short of a career best Twenty20 international knock.
Brief scores:
Ireland 137-8 (L. Tucker 46, H. Tector 28; T. Gwandu 3-28) v Zimbabwe 141-7 (T. Munyonga 43 not out, R. Burl 27; C. Young 4-24)
Result: Zimbabwe won by three wickets
Series: Zimbabwe lead 1-0 after second match of three. Final match on Tuesday. First match on Saturday abandoned due to rain.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Zimbabwe record T20 win over Ireland to take series lead
AN UNBEATEN 43 from Tony Munyonga steered Zimbabwe to a three-wicket victory over Ireland, and a 1-0 lead with one match remaining of a Twenty20 series in Harare.
Ireland posted 137-8 in an innings temporarily delayed by rain with Lorcan Tucker (46) and Harry Tector (28) adding 53 runs for the second wicket after opener Paul Stirling was out for one.
Zimbabwe reached 141-7 in reply with four balls to spare. The third and final match is set for Tuesday after the first on Saturday was abandoned due to rain.
Ireland captain Stirling said: “We did not finish our innings well. Then there was a great knock by the player of the match (Munyonga).
“Craig (Young) is one of our stalwarts. He missed the ODI series due to a little niggle so we are glad to have him back.”
Curtis Campher (26) was the only other Irish batsman to reach double figures after they lost the toss, with their last five wickets falling for 36 runs.
Medium pacer Trevor Gwandu took three wickets and off-spinner Raza and fast medium pacer Richard Ngarava two each for the hosts.
Tucker, who struck a six and three fours off 40 balls, fell when he got a leading edge to a short-pitched Gwandu delivery and Brian Bennett took the catch at deep fine leg.
Tector, whose knock included four fours, departed earlier when he mistimed an attempted sweep off Raza and Wessly Madhevere darted forward to catch the ball.
Zimbabwe began disastrously in reply with fast medium pacer Young (4-24) taking the wickets of Bennett (8), Tadiwanashe Marumani (1) and Madhevere (1) to leave the hosts reeling at 14-3.
Ryan Burl (27) and Raza (22) came to the rescue with a 48-run fourth-wicket partnership before both departed within six balls, and Zimbabwe were 64-5 midway through the innings.
A big innings was needed and Munyonga rose to the occasion, striking five fours in a 30-ball stand.
The only disappointment for the 26-year-old was falling two runs short of a career best Twenty20 international knock.
Brief scores:
Ireland 137-8 (L. Tucker 46, H. Tector 28; T. Gwandu 3-28) v Zimbabwe 141-7 (T. Munyonga 43 not out, R. Burl 27; C. Young 4-24)
Result: Zimbabwe won by three wickets
Series: Zimbabwe lead 1-0 after second match of three. Final match on Tuesday. First match on Saturday abandoned due to rain.
Toss: Zimbabwe
– © AFP 2025
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Cricket Ireland Cricket t20 cricket