One-Off Test
Day-4 Highlights:
Lorcan Tucker and Andy McBrine has spearhead a turnaround to deny Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe scored 210 (1st Innings) & 197 (2nd Innings), where as Ireland scored 250 (1st Innings) & 158/6 (2nd Innings).
So, finally Ireland beat Zimbabwe by 4 wickets.
Lorcan Tucker and Andy McBrine scripted a fantastic turnaround for Ireland, quashing Zimbabwe’s hopes of winning the one-off Test in Belfast.
Zimbabwe were favorites to clinch the win by stumps on day 3 after a new ball burst from Richard Ngarava rocked Ireland in their tricky chase of 158.
This left the home side reeling at 33/5, needing another 125 runs with just five wickets left.
However, Tucker and McBrine kept the visitors at bay, stitching a 96-run stand that paved the way for Ireland’s second win in their Test history.
Tucker kickstarted the day with a boundary in the very first over, and McBrine followed suit by whipping one towards deep midwicket in the next over from Ngarava to get Ireland going.
The two batters then went on a boundary-hitting spree, punishing both Muzarabani and Ngarava, which forced a bowling change from Zimbabwe.
However, runs continued to flow as the introduction of spin in the form of Sean Williams didn’t have an effect either.
The aggressive approach from the Irish duo worked wonders as Tucker stepped down the track to whip Tendai Chatara over midwicket and then brought up his half-century in the following over off just 56 balls.
With 41 runs needed, Zimbabwe had a glimmer of hope again when Tucker dragged one from Muzarabani to get bowled for 56.
Mark Adair stood firm and fetched a couple of boundaries to ease Ireland’s nerves.
Eventually, McBrine brought up his half-century, diminishing Zimbabwe’s hopes once again.
Adair finished the game with his fourth boundary of the chase, with McBrine remaining unbeaten at the other end.
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