Ireland vs Zimbabwe Zimbabwe in Ireland, 5 T20I Series, 2021

OUT! RICHARD NGARAVA IS RUN OUT! That is the end of the game. Fuller in length on leg, Chatara squeezes it out to mid-wicket. He takes off for a single but then says no. In the meantime, Richard Ngarava is already halfway down the track. He tries to get back to the crease but Shane Getkate picks up the ball and hits the stumps at the bowler's end. IRELAND WIN BY 40 RUNS.

Good-length ball outside off, Chatara looks to cut but misses.

On a length around off, Tendai Chatara cuts it through point for a single.

On the pads, Ngarava looks to work it on the leg side but inside-edges it to fine leg for one.

OUT! TAKEN! Mark Adair gets his third wicket. He serves a short-of-a-length ball on leg, Ryan Burl goes for the pull shot, but he holes out to the fine leg fielder where Simi Singh takes a good low catch.

Richard Ngarava is the last man walking out!

On off, guided to third man for one.

Back of a length, outside off. Chatara looks to play it away from the body and misses.

Just short of the deep square leg fielder. Fuller in length, on leg. Ryan Burl whips it towards deep square leg. The fielder there runs ahead in an attempt to catch the ball but it falls just short of him. A run taken.

On leg, Chatara tucks it to short fine leg. He takes off for a single but is sent back by Burl. 45 needed from 18 balls.

A low full toss outside off, Burl smashes it to wide of long off but only for a single.

Full again on middle and leg, clipped on the leg side for a single.

Full and wide outside off, Burl drags it down to long on for one.

SIX! SLAMMED! Right in the slot, on off. Ryan Burl stands tall and hammers it over long on for a maximum. That went miles over.

FOUR! Nicely played! Length ball well outside off, Ryan Burl gets into the line of the ball and laps it towards fine leg for a boundary.

Length ball on off, Chatara hits it to cover. 58 needed from 24 balls.

OUT! TIMBER! Josh Little bags his second. A touch fuller and on off, Wellington Masakadza looks to work it on the leg side and exposes his stumps. He misses and the ball skids through to rattle the stumps.

Good-length ball on middle, Burl defends it down onto the deck. The batters take off for a quick single. Little quickly runs and kicks the ball and hits the stumps. Wellington Masakadza was well in though.

The new batter walks in. It is Tendai Chatara!

Fuller in length, outside off. Burl again swings his bat and again fails to connect.

FOUR! Streaky! Short of a length, outside off. Ryan Burl looks to guide it to third man but miscues. The ball goes off the top edge over the keeper's head for a boundary.

Good-length ball, outside off. Ryan Burl advances down the track and swings his bat but only connects it with thin air around him.

Around off, pushed through mid off for one. 63 more needed in 30 balls!

Leg bye. Outside off, Wellington Masakadza steps out but misses his shot. The ball takes the pad and goes to the off side, for a leg bye.

Loopy, outside off, Wellington Masakadza gets low and drags his sweep to deep mid-wicket and the man in the deep does well to dive and stop the ball. Saves a couple of runs for his side.

Floats it up, outside off, pushed through covers for one.

Around off, flatter too, punched off the back foot through covers and the batters come back for the second.

Shortish, outside off, Burl looks to slash it away but he misses.

Good-length ball on middle, worked through square leg and one more run is taken.

Around off, on a length, worked through mid on for a run.

WIDE. This is slipped down the leg side, Wellington Masakadza looks to flick but misses. Wide signalled.

On the pads, flicked to deep square leg for one.

Back of a length, around off, worked to sweeper cover for one.

Fuller, outside off, Wellington Masakadza swings at this but misses.

Wellington Masakadza is the new batsman in.

OUT! BOWLED! That should be the game. The skipper of Zimbabwe has to head back and he looked like the last hope for the visitors to win this game. Now, with him gone, the game looks to be in Ireland's grasp. On a length, around middle and leg, the ball stays slightly low as Craig Ervine looks to force this through the leg side but misses. The furniture behind takes a beating. 75 needed in 41 balls!

Shane Getkate is back on. His figures read 2-0-14-1.

Around off, pushed through mid off for a run.

FOUR! The skipper gets a boundary now. Made it look easy. Floated, around off, Craig Ervine lofts this one over the covers for a boundary.

Outside off, Burl steers it to deep cover for a single this time.

Three dots in a row! Loopy ball, full and on off. Burl pushes it to mid off.

Loopy ball on off, punched to the right of the bowler.

Tossed it up, outside off. Burl looks to cut it away but misses.

Simi Singh comes back on.

Around off, pushed through covers for a run.

On a length on off, kept out.

The batsman has just blocked that from his crease.

Ryan Burl walks out to bat at No.8.

OUT! CAUGHT! The sixth one falls and Mark Adair strikes. A slower ball, around off, on a length, Luke Jongwe looks to play this to the leg side, but is through his shot early. The outside edge is induced and the ball lobs up behind, near the keeper. Neil Rock moves to his right and takes this dolly.

On middle, flicked to deep square leg for one.

Full-length ball, around off, hit down to long on for one.

Mark Adair comes back into the attack.

FOUR! Another one. Ervine is leading the charge. Shortish, outside off, Craig Ervine slashes this one through point for a boundary.

Around off, pushed to covers for one.

FOUR! Shortish, around off, Luke Jongwe slaps this one through point. Much needed for Zimbabwe!

Flatter, outside off, Craig Ervine looks to slash but misses as the ball takes the inside edge to fine leg for one.

On middle, hit to deep mid-wicket for one.

Luke Jongwe is the new batsman in.

OUT! BOWLED 'EM! Benjamin White strikes and gets his second wicket. Shumba walks back and Zimbabwe's run chase is slowly falling apart here. White gives this one air, lands it on middle, Milton Shumba gets low and looks to slog sweep but he misses his shot as the ball crashes into the furniture behind. 95 needed in 59 balls!

Full and on middle, Shumba punches it straight down the ground towards long on. He retains the strike by picking up a single. 95 needed from 60 balls.

Loopy ball on middle, Ervine advances down the track and looks to clip it on the leg side. The ball goes off the outside edge towards point for one.

Full and on middle, drilled to long on for one.

Flatter ball on middle, Ervine pushes it towards point for a single.

SIX! BANG! This one is in the slot, on off. Craig Ervine smokes it over long on for a maximum.

Floated it up outside off, Shumba strokes it to deep cover for one.

A googly on off, Shumba pushes it to cover for a run.

A low full toss on off, Ervine drives it past cover for another single.

Full and outside off, Shumba pushes it to long on for a run.

Full and outside off, eased down to long off for a single.

SIX! Easy pickings! Floated it up on off, Craig Ervine gets low and smacks it over wide of long on for a biggie.

Tossed up on middle, Shumba looks to tuck it around the corner but gets hit on the pads. The ball rolls on the leg side and the batters take a leg bye.

Short of a length, outside off. Ervine looks to cut it away but misses.

MISFIELD AND FOUR! Fuller in length, on off. Craig Ervine drills it towards mid off. The fielder there runs to his right but fails to stop the ball. A boundary, in the end.

On a length, outside off. Shumba punches it to cover for one.

Length ball on middle, Ervine glances it to deep square leg for a run.

OUT! TAKEN! Short of a length, on off. Myers goes for the pull shot. He does not time it well though. The ball lands straight into the hands of Kevin O'Brien at deep mid-wicket and he completes the catch. Another one bites the dust for Zimbabwe as they lose their fourth wicket.

Milton Shumba walks out!

Good-length ball on off, Myers punches it back to the bowler.

Floated it up outside off, Ervine knocks it back to the bowler.

Outside off, worked to point for a single.

Full and on off, Ervine steps out and works it to mid-wicket for one.

Flatter ball on middle, blocked out.

Craig Ervine is the new batsman in.

OUT! LBW! Tossed up ball on middle and leg, Regis Chakabva is caught in the crease and looks to play across the line. He misses and gets hit on the pads. Benjamin White pleads for an LBW and the umpire raises his finger.

FOUR LEG BYES! Loopy ball down the leg side, Regis Chakabva looks to flick but misses. The keeper fails to collect the ball as well and it races away to the fine leg fence.

Benjamin White is introduced into the attack.

On a length on middle, Myers smashes it to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. End of the Powerplay, Zimbabwe are 50/2.

Short of a length, on middle. Regis pulls it towards deep square leg for a run.

Beaten! Good-length ball, outside off, angling away. Regis Chakabva swings his bat hard but to no avail.

On a length, outside off. Myers guides it to third man for a single.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Length ball on off, Dion Myers steers it through covers for a boundary.

Good-length ball outside off, Regis Chakabva swings but misses. The keeper fails to collect the ball cleanly and the batters sneak a bye. The keeper has a shy at the striker's end but misses.

Length ball around off, Regis Chakabva works this through mid-wicket for one.

A touch short, around off, pulled to the left of deep mid-wicket for one.

On middle, hit hard, but straight to the fielder at covers.

FOUR! Drilled! Fuller ball, outside off, Dion Myers whacks this one through mid off for a boundary.

Around off, on a good length, worked wide of square leg and the strike is exchanged.

Fullish ball, Myers drives this to the left of mid on for a run.

Shane Getkate is brought into the attack.

Outside off, length, left alone by Regis.

Dion Myers walks out to bat at No.4.

OUT! TAKEN! The skipper gets another catch and another Zimbabwean batter, who was looking good, perishes. Tadiwanashe Marumani looked to keep the boundaries rolling and his decision to go after any ball has proved to be his demise. On a length this time, around off, Tadiwanashe Marumani looks to loft this one over covers, but he only manages to chip this one towards extra cover, where Andy Balbirnie shows that he has safe hands.

A little too straight, on middle, length delivery. Tadiwanashe Marumani goes back and whips this through mid-wicket for a couple.

Length on middle, flicked to the short fine leg fielder.

On off, defended out by Marumani.

Around off, on a length, whipped away aerially away from deep mid-wicket for a couple.

WIDE. This is slipped down the leg side, TM misses his flick. Wided.

Josh Little comes into the attack. He replaces Mark Adair.

Darted on middle, Regis Chakabva goes back and works this wide of mid-wicket. They run one and decide to take the second. The throw comes to the keeper, who collects and whips the bails off, but the batter made it in. So, not out. 9 off Simi's first over!

Floated, outside off, Regis Chakabva looks to sweep but misses and gets hit on the pad. An appeal for LBW but turned down.

On middle again, hit down the ground for a single.

FOUR! Good shot. Fuller, floated, outside off, whacked past the cover fielder and the ball finds its way to the ropes.

Flatter, around off, worked to deep mid-wicket for one.

On middle, worked through mid-wicket for one.

Simi Singh comes into the attack. He replaces Paul Stirling.

Outside off, a touch short, Regis Chakabva looks to cut it away but only gets an underedge to the keeper.

Around off, this is played through mid-wicket for a run.

On a length, outside off, this is punched hard through the cover region. Josh Little there dives to his right and half-stops the ball. Only two on this occasion.

Around off, on a length, guided through short third man for one.

Regis Chakabva is the new batsman in.

OUT! CAUGHT! The batting show by Wesley Madhevere comes to an unfortunate end. He looked very good in the first over but he gifts his wicket away on this occasion. Mark Adair gets a wicket in his very first over. On a length, around the off pole, Wesley Madhevere looks to heave this one over the off side but does not time it well. It goes high in the air towards covers, where the Irish skipper, Andy Balbirnie, pouches this.

Leg bye. Adair angles a length ball on the pads, Tadiwanashe Marumani looks to flick but misses and the ball takes the pad and goes to the off side for a leg bye.

Mark Adair to bowl from the opposite end.

14 from the first over! A touch flatter, around off, punched to covers for one.

FOUR! Hat-trick of boundaries and Wesley has started with fire! Loopy again, on middle, Wesley Madhevere sweeps this one hard to the deep square leg fence.

FOUR! Wesley Madhevere has come out with attacking intent here. Floated, around off, Wesley Madhevere lofts this one over the mid off region and the ball takes a couple of bounces and goes past the ropes.

FOUR! Wesley Madhevere gets the first boundary of this innings. Tossed up, outside off, Wesley Madhevere moves to the off side and sweeps this one through square leg. Simi Singh runs to his right in the deep, but fails to stop this.

Tadiwanashe Marumani is off the mark on his first ball too! Darted on the pads, flicked to square leg for one.

Wesley Madhevere and Zimbabwe open their accounts on ball one! Tossed up around off, this is eased through mid on for a single.

FOUR! What a way to end the innings. A one-man show from Stirling and he helps Ireland end on a big total. A full toss, on middle and leg, Paul Stirling thumps this one to the deep square leg fence. IRELAND END ON 178/2!

SIX! WHACK! Wonderful hitting. The crowd is backing their hero to end with a bang! A slower ball, around off, Paul Stirling leans back and bangs this one over the bowler's head for a biggie.

Full toss on the body, worked behind short fine leg for a couple of runs. Good running from these two!

BYE. Fuller, outside off, Shane Getkate swings but misses. Paul Stirling is already halfway down the track, looking for the bye and the keeper misses his shy at the striker's end. Shane Getkate dives and makes it in at the other end, as well.

Yorker, on off, in the blockhole, PS digs this out to point for a quick single.

On middle, slogged to the left of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

HUNDRED FOR PAUL STIRLING! His first T20I ton too. He has played a wonderful knock for his side. Gets to the landmark by tucking this full toss through mid-wicket for one. A very modest and quiet celebration from him but the crowd are loving it.

SIX! What an over this is turning out to be. Sensational batting from Stirling as he moves to 99 now. Fuller, on middle, Paul Stirling thwacks this one over the bowler's head for a biggie.

SIX! Paul Stirling moves into the 90s and he is only two blows away from getting his maiden ton in T20Is! In the slot, around off, on a length, Paul Stirling hammers this one over deep mid-wicket.

WIDE. Slower ball again, wider outside off, PS leaves it.

Slower ball, fuller outside off, Paul Stirling swings but misses.

FOUR! A very poor ball and Stirling does not leave this unpunished. A full toss, on the body, this is pulled past short fine leg for a boundary. Just 13 runs away is Stirling now from his hundred!

SIX! High and handsome! Stirling moves to 83 and he will be looking for his ton here. Good-length ball on middle, Paul Stirling just whacks this one over the wide long on region for a biggie.

WIDE. This is slipped down the leg side, Paul leaves it. Wided.

FOUR! Another boundary for Getkate. He is enjoying his time out in the middle. Good-length ball, on middle, this is lofted with a straight bat over the bowler for a boundary.

Fullish ball, around off, this is squeezed out past point for a brace.

Around off, pushed back to the bowler.

Full, on middle and leg, Paul Stirling looks to flick but gets an inside edge, back onto the pad. The batters take one.

Yorker around off, PS squeezes this one out, but only finds the point fielder.

Full toss, around off, heaved to the leg side for one.

Luke Jongwe is back into the attack. 2-0-15-1 so far for him.

Slower ball, on the pads, tucked to the leg side for one.

Full toss outside off, pushed through covers for one.

SIX! BANG! A shot of confidence from Stirling and it looks like there is no stopping him. In the arc around off, length ball, Paul Stirling pumps this one over long on.

A single as this is pushed through covers.

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Shane and he has started off well. A pacy length delivery on off, Shane Getkate goes back and cracks his cut through the point region. The ball speeds away to the ropes.

EDGED AND FOUR! A wild slash from Shane Getkate and he gets a boundary. A touch wider, outside off, length delivery, Shane throws his bat at this and the ball takes the outside edge and runs away to the third man fence.

Richard Ngarava is back on. His figures read 2-1-9-0 so far.

A flatter googly outside off, Shane dabs this to the point region for a single.

This is eased through mid on for a run.

Shane gets off the mark! Around off, pushed through covers for one.

Shane Getkate is the new batsman in.

OUT! TAKEN! The Irish skipper was looking to capitalize but he does not time this one well and he gives his wicket away. Burl has got the valuable wicket of Andy Balbirnie! Burl tosses this one up and lands it fuller on middle, Andy Balbirnie makes room and lofts this one over the cover region. He gets the height on this but no distance. Milton Shumba in the deep takes it easily.

Tossed up, around off, Andy Balbirnie drives this one through covers and they come back for the second run.

On middle, this is slogged away hard to the right of deep mid-wicket for a single.

It looks like something has got into Andy Balbirnie's eyes. The physios are out and are having a check. He seems okay now and we will resume. Ryan Burl is back into the attack.

Full and on leg, Stirling works it to long on for one. 9 runs from the over.

Good-length ball on middle and leg, Stirling looks to pull but swings his bat a little too early. Misses and gets hit on the body.

Short of a length, on off Balbirnie taps it to cover and takes off for a single. Craig Ervine quickly collects the ball and has a shy at the striker's end but misses.

A low full toss on the pads, Stirling knocks it to long on for a single this time.

SIX! What a shot! Tendai Chatara overpitches this one on middle, in the slot. Paul Stirling stands tall and smashes it over the bowler's head for a maximum.

Full and on leg, Stirling tries to flick but misses. He gets hit on the pads and the ball rolls back to the keeper.

FOUR! Excellent batting from Balbirnie. Short of a length, on off. Andy Balbirnie carves it over covers for another boundary.

Change. Tendai Chatara comes back on. 2-0-13-0 so far!

FOUR! Balbirnie is looking to up the ante now. This was on a length, on off. Andy Balbirnie makes room for himself and guides it to third man for a boundary.

A low full toss on middle, Stirling pushes it through covers for a run.

Slower ball around off, Stirling rocks back and cuts it to point.

On a length on leg, Balbirnie works it to mid-wicket for one.

Good-length ball on off, Stirling dabs it to short third man for a single.

SIX! BANG! Loopy ball on middle, Andy Balbirnie slog-sweeps it over cow corner for a maximum. That will release some pressure!

Flatter ball on middle, Stirling works it to deep square leg for a single.

On off, Balbirnie cuts it to point for a run.

Loopy ball on middle, Stirling punches it to deep cover for one.

FOUR! Well played! On the pads, Paul Stirling sweeps it towards deep square leg for a boundary.

Flatter ball, on off. Pushed to sweeper cover for a run.

FOUR! FIFTY! Floated it up on off, Paul Stirling gets into the position early and lifts it over covers for a boundary. He brings up his half century. He started off slow but will now look to build on this.

Outside off, Stirling steers it through extra cover. The fielder there misfields and allows the ball to go through. Two runs taken.

Loopy ball outside off, Balbirnie looks to drive but gets an outside edge. The ball goes towards third man for one.

Slower through the air, outside off. Balbirnie slashes it but finds the backward point fielder.

Tossed up on middle, Balbirnie pushes it to cover.

Flighted ball on middle, Stirling plays it long on for a run.

Full and on middle, Stirling nudges it down to wide of long on for a single.

Floated it up on off, Balbirnie makes room for himself and guides it to deep cover for one.

Full and on off, Stirling pushes it towards deep cover for a run.

Flatter ball on off, Stirling taps it to point.

On middle, Stirling pushes it on the leg side.

Loopy ball, full and on off. Balbirnie drives it through covers for a run.

On middle, this is swept to the short fine leg man for a single.

Around off, dabbed to the point fielder.

Flicked through mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Paul Stirling releases some pressure and gets a boundary. It could have been the wicket of Stirling, but Luke Jongwe is ahead by around 10 yards, which sees the ball go over him. A full toss, on middle, Paul Stirling heaves this towards deep square leg. Luke Jongwe leaps but the ball goes over him, takes a bounce and goes past the ropes. Had Luke been slightly behind, he could have pouched this easily.

Flatter this time, on off, Andy plays this past covers and takes a run.

Darted on middle, pushed through mid-wicket for a run.

EDGY FOUR! 50 up for Ireland! Not what the Irish skipper was looking to do but he will take it. Width offered outside off, tossed up too, Andy Balbirnie looks to drive but the ball takes the outside edge and runs away to the third man fence.

Full, floated too, around off, Andy pushes it back towards Burl.

Given air, around off, Andy taps this to the point fielder.

Another single as this is pushed through covers.

Fuller, on middle and leg, Andy Balbirnie knocks this through square leg. Takes a run.

Quicker, on the pads, Paul Stirling goes back and plays this to the leg side. Hands the strike to the Irish skipper.

A good start by Wesley Madhevere as he only concedes 3 off his opening over! On middle, flatter, knocked to the left of the mid-wicket fielder.

Darted on the pads again, Paul tucks this to the right of long on and rotates the strike.

Andy Balbirnie gets off the mark here! On the pads, clipped past short fine leg for one.

Tossed up on middle, worked through mid-wicket for one.

On middle, this is swept straight to the short fine leg fielder.

Floated, lands outside leg and spins back in as Paul Stirling looks to reverse sweep. Misses and gets pinged on the pad. There is a loud appeal for LBW but the umpire just shakes his head.

Spin from both ends as Wesley Madhevere comes into the attack.

Around off, well kept out by Andy. 9 from the over!

Tosses this one up, lands it outside off, PS drives this through covers and gets a run.

Floated on off, pushed to covers.

FOUR! Another great shot and Stirling is looking in good touch. Floats it up, lands it around middle, Paul Stirling just lofts this one to the long on region for a boundary.

FOUR! Wonderful timing on this shot. Quicker, flatter, outside off, Paul Stirling goes back and cracks this one through covers.

Flatter, around off, punched back to Burl.

Ryan Burl comes into the attack.

Overpitched delivery, on middle, punched to long on for a run. Ireland are at 33/1 at the end of the Powerplay!

The skipper, Andy Balbirnie walks out to bat at No.3.

OUT! CAUGHT! The first one goes back and Kevin O'Brien does not have much of an impact here. He looked to make use of the final over of the Powerplay, but he only holes out. On a length, slower in pace, on middle, Kevin O'Brien makes room and looks to loft this one down the ground, but does not time this well. Craig Ervine at mid off, moves to his right and gulps this down.

Slightly behind the good length, on off, Kevin O'Brien taps this to point and looks for one, but is sent back.

Again, Luke Jongwe strays with a delivery down the leg side, PS works this through square leg for the third single on the trot.

Fullish delivery, on the pads, Kevin O'Brien flicks this to deep square leg and rotates the strike.

Short of a length, angled on the body, Paul hooks this to deep mid-wicket for one.

Luke Jongwe comes into the attack.

Full and outside off, Stirling steers it to deep point for a single.

Good-length ball on off, Kevin O'Brien pushes it towards covers for a single.

Length ball outside off, Kevin O'Brien taps it towards point.

Full and on off, Stirling pushes it to deep cover for one.

SIX! Dispatched! Short ball on middle, Paul Stirling pulls it over deep square leg for a biggie. The fielder there is just a spectator as he watches the ball go over.

Play and a miss! Good-length ball outside off, Paul Stirling looks to go big on the leg side but does not make any contact with the ball. Seventh dot in a row for him.

Good-length ball on middle and leg, Kevin O'Brien looks to work it on the leg side but misses. He gets hit on the pads. Tendai Chatara appeals for an LBW but nothing from the umpire.

Length ball on leg, Stirling works it to short fine leg and scampers across for a quick single. The fielder has a shy at the striker's end but misses.

On a length on leg, Kevin O'Brien glances it to deep square leg for a single.

SIX! Connects it well this time! Short and on off, Kevin O'Brien rocks back and smacks it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum. He opens his account with a biggie.

Short of a length again, outside off. Kevin O'Brien looks to cut it away but misses.

Back of a length, around off. Kevin O'Brien punches it towards covers. He gets to face a ball after 18 deliveries.

Brilliant over from Richard Ngarava! Yorker outside off, Stirling blocks it out. A maiden.

Full and outside off, Stirling walks across and tries to paddle scoop it but inside-edges it onto the pads.

Length ball, well outside off, angling away. Stirling has a wild swing it but misses it altogether.

A yorker on off, Stirling jams it out and back to the bowler.

Fullish delivery, on off. Stirling defends it to the off side.

Full and on middle and leg, Stirling looks to flick but gets hit on the pads.

Full and on leg, Stirling works it to backward square leg for a single.

Length ball on middle, Stirling blocks it out.

Full and down the leg side, Stirling looks to glance it around the corner but misses. The ball goes off the pads towards the keeper who dives to his left to stop the ball.

Short of a length, around off. Paul Stirling looks to pull but fails to get any bat on it.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Good-length ball, on off. Paul Stirling stays deep in his crease and guides it past short third man for a boundary.

Length ball on leg, Stirling looks to tuck it on the leg side but misses. He gets hit on the pads.

Short and on off, Stirling punches it to long off. He keeps the strike by taking a single. 7 runs from the opening over.

Floated it up nicely, on off. Stirling pushes it to the left of the bowler.

Who will bowl from the other end? It is Tendai Chatara!

SIX! It was only a matter of time for Stirling to get going. A loopy ball on middle, Paul Stirling gets low on his knee and smacks it over deep mid-wicket for the first biggie of the innings.

Tossed it up on off, Stirling punches it to covers.

Short and outside off, Paul Stirling looks to cut it away but misses.

Masakadza starts with a loopy ball on off, Stirling rocks back and defends it down to the off side.

Ready for the action to begin here. The Zimbabwe players are in a huddle near the boundary ropes, before they spread out on the field. Paul Stirling and Kevin O'Brien will open the innings for Ireland. Wellington Masakadza will begin with the ball. Here we go...

Andy Balbirnie, the Ireland skipper, says that they would have bowled first as well, and chasing seems easier on this deck but this is a good chance for them to bat first. Says that their batters were a lot more composed in the last game and it was a pleasing effort. Informs that they have 3 changes to their side.

The skipper of Zimbabwe, Craig Ervine, says that they will bowl first. Mentions that the wicket looks good and it is slightly a smaller ground so they will look to chase the score. Tells that everyone needs to adapt to the conditions quickly and says that the youngsters will enjoy this wicket. Informs that they are unchanged.

Zimbabwe (Unchanged Playing XI) - Wesley Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Regis Chakabva (WK), Dion Myers, Craig Ervine (C), Milton Shumba, Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Wellington Masakadza, Tendai Chatara, Richard Ngarava.

Ireland (Playing XI) - Paul Stirling, Kevin O'Brien, Andy Balbirnie (C), George Dockrell, William McClintock (DEBUT) (In place of Harry Tector), Shane Getkate, Neil Rock (WK), Simi Singh, Mark Adair (In place of Craig Young), Josh Little (In place of Barry McCarthy), Benjamin White.

TOSS - The news from the middle is that Zimbabwe have won the toss. They have elected to BOWL first.

Hello and a warm welcome to the third T20I between Ireland and Zimbabwe. The five-match T20I series is evenly poised at the moment. Zimbabwe won the first T20I to take an early lead in the series but Ireland bounced back strongly winning the second T20I. Heading into this encounter, both the teams will be keen to punch above their weights and snatch a victory here. So who will it be? We shall find out. Stay tuned for further updates.