Watch: Rare scenes! Fielder saves 4 but Ireland's Andy McBrine, Lorcan Tucker steal an all-run 5 in one-off Test vs Zimbabwe

Ireland Cricket Team’s bowling all-rounder Andy McBrine delivered an exceptional all-round performance in the historic Test match between Ireland and Zimbabwe in Belfast. However, McBrine will be remembered for scoring five runs off a single delivery on the fourth day of the one-off Test match on Sunday, July 28.

Ireland had a challenging fourth-inning target of 158 runs with a shaky start, sitting at 33/5 in just eight overs against Zimbabwe in the one-off Test match in Belfast. On day four of the match, with Ireland desperately needing a partnership to steer them towards their target, McBrine and wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker stepped up to the task against the Zimbabwe team.

Andy McBrine's unusual five runs off a single delivery steal the show in the one-off Test vs Zimbabwe

McBrine and Tucker added 96 runs off 118 balls for the sixth wicket to help the Ireland team beat Zimbabwe by four wickets in the one-off Test match in Belfast. While the star all-rounder played a brilliant knock of 55* runs off 82 balls, the wicketkeeper-batter made 56 runs off 64 balls.

However, before Ireland’s memorable win over Zimbabwe, the unusual drama captivated the one-off Test match when McBrine and Tucker stole five runs off a single delivery bowled by Zimbabwe’s left-arm seamer Richard Ngarava in the fourth inning on Sunday.

This hilarious incident took place during the 18th over of Ireland’s second innings when McBrine faced Ngarava. He drove the second ball over the covers, where Tendai Chatara was stationed.

However, Chatara's attempt to stop the ball resulted in a rare scenario, as he chased it down, but his momentum carried him over the boundary ropes, causing him to hurdle the advertising hoardings placed just outside the field.

With Chatara unable to immediately return the ball from outside the boundary, McBrine and Tucker seized the opportunity. The pair made five runs while running before Chatara could reenter the field and throw the ball back to Ngarava.

Bizarrely, this five-run came without any overthrows, showcasing McBrine's sharp awareness and the duo’s tactical acumen under pressure in the match.

Watch here how the drama unfolded:

McBrine hits Ngarava for 5⃣!

Yep, you read that right...

▪️ Ireland 86-5 (19 overs)
▪️ Zimbabwe 197 (71 overs)
▪️ Ireland 250 (58.3 overs)
▪️ Zimbabwe 210 (71.3 overs)

WATCH (Ireland/UK): https://t.co/DeHsISzoPw
WATCH (Rest of world): https://t.co/HZ1cGTFoHv
SCORE:… pic.twitter.com/0Rr6GRZoa7

— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) July 28, 2024

IRE vs ZIM One-Off Test Match Highlights

Speaking about the match, Zimbabwe managed 210 and 197 in their two innings after being invited to bat first by the Ireland team. Notable contributions came from Joylord Gumbie (49), Prince Masvaure (74), Sean Williams (40), and Dion Myers (57), with the bat for Zimbabwe in both innings.

On the other hand, Dion Myers, Mark Adair, and Andy McBrine shined with the ball for Ireland, taking four each and seven wickets, respectively, in the one-off Test match. For Ireland, Peter Moor (79), Tucker, and McBrine starred with the bat.

Whereas Blessing Muzarabani, Tanaka Chivanga, and Richard Ngarava were the standout performers for Zimbabwe in the one-off Test, taking five, three, and four wickets, respectively, against Ireland. Notably, McBrine bagged the Player of the Match award for his all-round contribution to Ireland’s memorable win over Zimbabwe.