ICC World Cup Qualifiers 2018: Super Sixes Match 3: Zimbabwe vs Ireland, Match Review

Published - 16 Mar 2018, 10:25 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:50 PM

After a riveting first round of ICC World Cup Qualifiers, the action moved towards the Super Six stages. The third match of the contest saw Zimbabwe and Ireland clash at Harare Sports Club.

Ireland won the toss and elected to bowl first. Zimbabwe in reply went off their way in the middle after getting a decent start. The top four batsmen lost their wickets after getting their respective starts.

The hosts of the event lost their cream up front by adding just 112 and lost six of their wickets. However, the men in red could rely on their ace batsman Sikandar Raza for taking them to a decent total after a mini-collapse.

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Sikandar Raza during his match-winning knock. Credits: Cricbuzz

Raza did exactly what he was asked to do, for the nth time in the tournament, as smashed an unbeaten 69 off 83 deliveries, consisting of four boundaries and three sixes.

He found some sort of support from Tendai Chisora who scored a priceless 21, as he helped compile a 42 run partnership with Raza at the other end.

Zimbabwe posted a competitive 211 in front of the Irish. It was an all-around effort from the Irish bowlers which helped them restrict them to the total. Although, one might think they gave away 30-40 too many after getting the start.

Sikander Raza Butt during The ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier (Photo by Julian Herbert-IDI/IDI via Getty Images)

Tim Murtagh was the pick of the bowlers for Ireland as he picked up three wickets and conceded only 36 in his ten overs. Andy McBrine also chipped in with a couple of wickets.

Ireland, in pursuit of 212, fell like a pack of cards as they were bundled out for a paltry total of 104, handing the hosts a massive 107 run win.

Paul Stirling was the lone man standing for Ireland as he saw wickets falling all around him. The men in green lost half of their side by adding just 54 on the board.

Captain Graeme Cremer and Tendai Chisoro orchestrated the great Irish collapse as they clinched three wickets each. No prizes for guessing, it was Sikandar Raza who clinched the player of the match award for his herculean efforts.