One-Off Test
Day-3 Highlights:
Richard Ngarava of Zimbabwe has troubled Ireland team in the challenging chase
At the Stumps of Day-3:
Ireland scored 33/5 (2nd Innings) & 250 (1st Innings), where as Zimbabwe scored 210 (1st Innings) & 197 (2nd Innings).
So, finally Ireland need 125 runs to win.
Richard Ngarava stunned Ireland during a tricky run chase on the third day, leaving them reeling at 33/5 by stumps.
Chasing 158, Ireland were rocked early as Ngarava struck four times.
However, Zimbabwe’s progress was halted by rain, which brought an early end to the day’s play.
Andrew Balbirnie hit a boundary in the first over of the chase, but Ngarava soon stole the spotlight with a double-wicket maiden.
He dismissed Peter Moor with a short ball and then removed Curtis Campher with the very next delivery, much to Zimbabwe’s delight.
Blessing Muzarabani then joined the action by finding the outside edge of Balbirnie’s bat, reducing Ireland to 7/3.
Desperately needing a partnership, Ireland’s hopes were further dashed by another double-wicket over from Ngarava, who dismissed Harry Tector and Paul Stirling.
At 21/5, Ireland’s situation looked bleak before rain provided them some respite, giving them a chance to regroup and attempt to chase down the target on the fourth day.
Earlier in the day, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 197, losing their grip on the game despite being well placed at 134/3 at one stage.
Resuming at 12/0, Zimbabwe started decently, but Craig Young and Barry McCarthy struck in successive overs to remove the openers.
After a brief period of stability, Mark Adair trapped Craig Ervine leg-before-wicket.
Sean Williams and Dion Myers then combined to revive the innings and extend the lead.
Williams hit Campher for two boundaries in an over as the duo settled down by lunch.
After the break, they continued to build, and the lead approached 100.
However, against the run of play, Williams fell for 40, giving Ireland an opening.
Once Matthew Humphreys dismissed Brian Bennett, Andy McBrine took charge to mop up the tail.
Myers’s resistance ended with Adair, and McBrine continued to pick up wickets, restricting Zimbabwe to 197.
Despite this, Ngarava’s exploits might still prove enough for Zimbabwe.
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