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

Swing and a miss! It's on a length close to off, angling in, Ngarava tries to slog it across the line but misses. The ball goes very closely past the off pole. Craig Young has his hands on his head in disbelief as that missed the stumps by a whisker. Anyway, IRELAND WIN BY 64 RUNS!

FOUR! Richard Ngarava is having some fun. Young delivers it on a length and close to off, Richard Ngarava stays back and slaps it past point for another boundary.

FOUR! What a shot from Zimbabwe's number 11. Richard Ngarava fetches a length ball from outside off and heaves it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Angles it in on a length, Luke heaves it down to long on for one.

On middle and leg, it's tucked behind square leg for a single.

Shout for a caught behind, the umpire shakes his head. Back of a length, around middle, Richard Ngarava tries to heave but it beats the inside half of his bat. The keeper appeals, the bowler is sure so he just runs to celebrate. Then, he turns and sees the umpire shaking his head. Maybe, the ball took some parts of Richard Ngarava's back thigh pad.

Craig Young (3-0-13-1) will bowl the last over of the innings.

Short and wide outside off, Richard plays a mistimed shot down to long off. A single to end the over. 100 up for Zimbabwe.

Too full and close to off, Jongwe eases his drive through cover-point for a single.

Back of a length, on top of off, Luke punches it from the back foot to point.

Fuller and on middle, flicked to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs again.

Into the blockhole now, Jongwe brings his bat down in time and squeezes it out through square leg. Another brace.

Extra slower delivery, short and on middle, Jongwe waits for it and pulls it to deep square leg for a couple.

Barry McCarthy (3-0-16-1) comes back to bowl his last over.

On a length and around off, Richard Ngarava stays back and taps it down in front of the keeper. No fifer for Mark Adair but he finishes with amazing bowling figures, 4-0-23-4.

Yorker around off, Luke digs it out through cover-point for a single.

FOUR! Good shot from Jonge, late runs are irrelevant but he is showing his skills. Short in length and around off, Luke Jongwe stays on the back foot and pulls it to deep mid-wicket. George Dockrell moves across to his right but fails to stop it with a dive.

Fuller and around off, from 'round the wicket for the left-hander, Ngarava lofts it over mid on for a single.

Richard Ngarava is the last man in for Zimbabwe.

OUR! The off stump is pegged back. Mark Adair has a 4-wicket haul. He spears it in, full and straight, Blessing Muzarabani is late in taking his bat down and the off stump is obliterated. Can Mark Adair pick the final wicket to complete his 5-fer?

Outside off, on a length, played down to point.

In the air... safe! Fuller and on off, Jongwe tries to play the aerial shot but gets more height than distance. It flies behind the bowler, Barry McCarthy rushes across to his right from long off but the ball drops safely. They take a couple of runs.

Serves it on a length around middle, Jongwe hangs on the back foot, opens the face of his bat and pushes it to point.

Fuller and quicker on middle, Blessing has his bat down in time as he keeps it out towards square leg. They cross for a single.

Short and wide outside off, Jongwe cuts it from the back foot through cover-point for a single.

The batsman has just blocked that from his crease.

Beaten all ends up! A lovely cutter from Craig Young, around off on a length, Jongwe pushes at it and misses.

Craig Young (2-0-9-1) comes to bowl now.

Spears in a very full ball on middle, Jongwe eases it down to long on for a single.

FOUR! Slapped away! Slower one, short and wide outside off, Luke Jongwe picks it early, stays on the back foot and whacks it to the deep point fence.

Bouncer, slower in pace, Blessing plays a controlled hook shot to deep backward square leg for a single.

Angles in a length ball from around off, Muzarabani stays back and defends it to the off side.

Serves it on a length and outside off, Blessing throws his bat at it but fails to connect.

Too full in length and outside off, Jongwe squeezes it out through cover-point for a single.

Mark Adair (2-0-10-3) comes back into the attack.

Fuller and straighter, Blessing Muzarabani defends it from the back foot.. 4-0-19-2, it's the end of Shane Getkate's brilliant bowling effort.

Full and on middle, Blessing Muzarabani gets behind the line and defends it out to mid-wicket.

Blessing Muzarabani is the new man in.

OUT! Given lbw, Getkate has two now. That looked very adjacent to the naked eye. Full in length, around middle and leg, Wellington Masakadza fails to work it around and is pinged on the pads. The appeal is made and the umpire has no hesitation in lifting his finger. Dead plumb. Ireland are two wickets away from sealing the series.

Down the leg side, tucked down to square leg for a single.

Fuller in length and around off, Luke drives it straight to point. Stirling collects the ball and has an immediate shy at the bowler's end. Wellington Masakadza charges back in as Shane Getkate collects the throw.

Slightly short and on off, Jongwe stays back and helps it to mid-wicket.

Variation from Simi. A leg-break delivery, full and on middle, Luke knocks it down to long on for one. Simi Singh bowls out, 1/18 in his 4 overs.

Quicker and on middle, clipped towards square leg for a single.

Luke Jongwe walks out to bat at number 9.

OUT! Ervine bites the dust and that's the last recognized batsman for Zimbabwe getting dismissed. Simi Singh tosses it up and lands it full around middle, Craig Ervine shimmies down the track for a big shot down the ground but fails to get enough behind it. The ball goes aerially to long on and Mark Adair takes it safely. Only formalities left in this match now.

Fires in a fuller one on off, Wellington sweeps it firmly to deep square leg for a single.

Full and floated on middle, Ervine skips down the track and lofts it over mid on for a run.

Shortish and close to off, Masakadza punches it off his back foot to deep point for a run.

A touch short and outside off, Wellington taps it down towards third man and takes a single.

Wellington Masakadza is the new batsman.

OUT! Tiripano is stumped! Smart from Rock. Full in length and outside off, Donald Tiripano winds for a big heave across the line but fails to connect. Neil Rock collects the ball, waits for the batter to make some movement and as soon as Donald Tiripano drags his back leg out, he takes the bails off. He appeals and the square leg umpire has given it out.

On a length and around leg, Ervine fails to flick and it goes off his pads to backward square leg. They take a leg bye.

Too full and outside off, Donald jumps across the stumps, looking for a paddle scoop but the line is quite wide. He then adjusts and guides it to short third man for a run.

Fullish and on middle, Craig heaves it over mid-wicket and collects a single.

FOUR! Fine shot! Fuller in length and on middle, Ervine swings his bat across the line and flicks it behind square leg for a boundary. First real shot of intent from the Zimbabwean skipper.

Flatter one is fired on middle, Craig helps it gently to mid-wicket and picks another run.

Appeal for an lbw! Not given. Tossed up ball landing on middle, Tiripano tries to play the reverse sweep but misses. He is hit high on the back leg and it deflects towards third man. The batters cross and it's given as a leg bye.

Loopy and full around off, Ervine eases it to mid off and Simi runs behind it. The batters switch ends.

Bowls this one with a quicker-arm action. Flat and short on middle, Donald goes back and punches it to long off for a single.

Fullish and around off, Ervine moves back a bit and lofts it over extra cover for a run.

Flatter and fuller on off, defended back to the bowler.

Almost edges it! Slightly short in length and outside off, Tiripano pushes at it and misses. There is no degree of urgency from Zimbabwe. It's looking more like a net session for these two batters.

Fullish and on middle, Ervine hits it across the line through mid-wicket. Adair speeds in from the deep and keeps the batsmen down to one.

Around off on a good length, Tiripano punches it to cover-point and takes a quick run.

A terrific yorker around middle and leg, Donald steps back and digs it out to the off side.

Beaten! Getkate delivers it on a length around off and gets it to straighten off the seam, Donald Tiripano pushes inside the line and misses.

Serves it on a length around middle, it's flicked to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Shane Getkate is back on.

Play and a miss! Quicker one, landing full and going straight on, Tiripano tries to drive but it beats the outside edge. Zimbabwe are 53/5 at the halfway mark, 122 needed in the next 60 balls.

Loopy and full on middle, Craig uses his feet to come down the track and nudges it towards square leg for a run.

Fullish and on off, driven to the left of the cover fielder for a single.

Fires in a quicker one on off, fuller in length, Craig is forward in defense but it takes the inner half and rolls in the gap on the leg side. They cross.

Flatter and shorter on off, spinning in, Donald moves back and punches it to long on for a run.

Full and flighted on middle, Ervine runs down the track and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Fuller and on middle, Donald flicks but finds mid-wicket. End of a successful over for Barry.

Donald Tiripano walks in next.

OUT! STUMPS ARE SHATTERED! Zimbabwe have now lost half their side. Excellent delivery from Barry McCarthy. He lands it on a good length around off and gets it to jag back in off the seam. Shumba plays all over it,  leaves a big hole in his defense and the ball sneaks through to send the bails flying. It's one-way traffic at the moment.

Shortish around off, Shumba stays back and taps it down to backward point. Finds the fielder.

Another delivery around off, leaving the batsman with the angle, Ervine guides it behind point for one.

Angling away from the batsman, on a length, it's punched through cover-point for a single.

A length ball on middle, Ervine walks forward a bit and works it through square leg for a single.

A slider around off, skidding in, Ervine tries to defend but it collects the inside edge and goes towards short fine leg. A single is taken to end the over. The chase is going nowhere for Zimbabwe.

Fuller and on off, forced back towards the bowler and Simi dived to his left to stop it.

Quicker and fuller on off, Craig defends it back off his front foot.

Fires it in, flat and short around off, Shumba goes deep inside the crease and strokes it to deep cover. Another run taken.

This time the length is fuller and the line is close to off, Ervine strides forward and drives it to long off for a single.

Flatter delivery, short and on off, Milton goes back and slaps it to deep cover for a run.

Aerial but safe! Fuller in length around off, holding up a bit off the surface, Shumba checks his drive and chips it in the air towards mid off. The fielder charges forward but it drops in front of him. They scamper across for a brisk run.

Simi Singh is into the attack now.

On a good length around middle, Milton flicks it gently to mid-wicket.

Very full and around off, a strong shot down the ground again from Ervine. This time towards long on for a single.

Wide! A touch short and down the leg side, Craig tries to flick but misses. A good take by Rock.

FOUR! Straight as an arrow! Fuller and on off, Ervine unfurls a lovely drive down the ground. It races away to the fence in a flash.

Another length delivery on the pads, this time Shumba works it in front of square leg and rotates the strike.

On a length and around middle, Ervine helps it behind square leg and takes a single.

Shane Getkate is introduced into the attack.

Shortish and on off, Milton punches it off his back foot to covers. A dot ball to end the over and Zimbabwe have lost the plot very early.  32/4 at the end of the Powerplay.

Pitches it up and around off, Shumba strokes it off his front foot to mid off.

Play and a miss! Short in length and outside off, angling away, Milton flirts inside the line and misses.

Very full and outside off, Ervine opens the face of his bat and guides it to third man for a single.

Delivers it on a length and around middle, Milton brings his bat down and works it to square leg for a quick run.

Milton Shumba is the new batsman.

OUT! Wesley Madhevere is gone too. Young runs in and digs in a short ball around off, Wesley hangs back to pull but it takes the splice of his bat and flies to the right of mid on. Shane Getkate moves across to his right and completes the catch easily. All the wickets have fallen from this end so far.

Craig Young is back on. 0/7 in his one over so far.

Pitches it up and around off, Ervine drives it off his front foot to mid off. Two dots to complete the 5th over, Zimbabwe are 30/3.

Fuller and on middle, flicked on the leg side but straight to mid-wicket.

FOUR! Up and over point! Barry McCarthy angles across a length ball outside off, Ervine flashes his bat at it and slices it over Simi Singh inside the ring. He puts in a jump but it just evades him and finds the fence.

Superb effort by Adair. You cannot keep him out of action at the moment. Fuller in length and outside off, Ervine drives it through the line, looks to pierce the gap at extra cover but Adair dives to stop the ball.

On a good length, around middle and leg, Madhevere turns inside the crease and works it to deep square leg for a single.

Angles in a length ball on off, Wesley defends it from the back foot to mid-wicket.

Too full in length and on off, Ervine drives it with soft hands to mid off. End of a fantastic over by Adair, two wickets and a 8 runs from it.

Angling away from the batsman, on a length, Ervine covers his stumps and shoulders arms.

Skipper Craig Ervine is the new batsman.

OUT! BOWLED! Hit him for a boundary and he will take his revenge immediately. A wonderful inswinging yorker, around leg, Myers fails to keep it out and finds his stumps rearranged. Zimbabwe staring down the barrel, 150 needed off 98 balls.

FOUR! Edgy! Mark Adair delivers it on a length close to off, shaping away, Dion Myers pushes inside the line and edges it down to third man for a boundary.

Dion Myers is in next.

OUT! Strangled down the leg side. Adair gets his revenge immediately. Not a wicket-taking delivery though. It's on a length and drifting down the leg side, Regis Chakabva tries to flick but gets a feather touch on it. Neil Rock collects and appeals, the bowler joins him too and the finger has gone up. Regis Chakabva shakes his head as he returns. A body blow to the visiting team.

FOUR! Regis Chakabva has plundered that ball. Short in length and close to off, sitting up nicely, Regis stays back and plays a rocketing pull shot over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Very full and on off, Wesley drives it firmly but finds the extra cover fielder. 18 runs in 3 overs, a quiet start from Zimbabwe.

Around off on a length, Chakabva taps it down to backward point and Madhevere calls his partner through for a brisk run.

Shortish and on middle, it's helped to deep square leg for a single.

A near-yorker on middle, Regis digs it out at the last moment and crosses for a brisk run.

FOUR! First boundary of the chase. Fuller in length and on middle, Regis Chakabva whips it over mid-wicket and fetches a boundary.

Tucks a length ball off his pads to deep square leg for a single.

Fires a full ball down the leg side, Chakabva tries to flick but misses. It goes off his pads to the keeper. A fine first over by Adair.

Angling in from around off, on a length, Regis tries to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Shortish and on off, it's turned through square leg for another single.

Shout for an lbw, not given. Fuller in length around middle and leg, angling down, Wesley is early into his flick shot and misses. Missing leg and hence the appeal is not entertained.

Back of a length, around middle and leg, Regis Chakabva glances it to square leg and opens his account with a single.

Regis Chakabva walks in next.

OUT! A smart return catch. Very tame dismissal for Marumani. Mark Adair bowls from 'round the wicket and angles in a fuller delivery on middle, Tadiwanashe Marumani tries to work it on the leg side but gets a tame leading edge back to the bowler. Adair collects the catch easily and draws first blood.

Mark Adair to bowl from the opposite end. He has had his issues with the back but has recovered well.

Short and wide outside off, Marumani again doesn't try to go hard and just helps it to third man for one. 7 from the opening over.

On a length and around off, Marumani dabs it wide of backward point for a single. The third man fielder attacks the ball, fumbles and concedes the second run.

Digs in a short ball on middle, Wesley pulls it to deep square leg and rotates the strike.

Shortish and outside off, Tadiwanashe Marumani opens the face of his bat and guides it to third man for a run.

Back of a length on middle, Madhevere goes on his toes and taps it down on the leg side for a single.

Short and around off, Wesley tries to pull but it bounces over his bat.

Wide! Starts with a length ball, down the leg side, Wesley Madhevere tries to flick but misses.

Another full toss around off, Dockrell pumps it over extra cover and Tiripano moves across to his left from long off to make a tumbling stop. The batsmen take two. Ireland end on 174/4.

SIX! High and handsome! Jongwe aims for the blockhole again but this time it's a full toss around leg, Dockrell latches onto it and towers it over long on for a maximum.

Bouncer, on the slower side, around off, Dockrell pulls it to deep square leg for a brace.

Smart bowling. Slower one, full and wide outside off, George hops back to make room and ends up pushing and missing.

Right into the blockhole, Dockrell steps back to make room but only manages to dig it out back towards the bowler.

Short in length and around off, William pulls it over mid-wicket but gets just a single.

Luke Jongwe to bowl the final six balls of the innings.

Short in length and outside off, George advances down the track and hits it from the top half of his bat to long off. They attempt for the second run, the throw from the deep comes to the bowler who takes the bails off. He appeals but the dive from William McClintock has saved him. 11 from the over.

A low full toss around middle and leg, Dockrell moves back and lofts it behind the bowler for a couple of runs.

Sharp delivery, full and on middle, it's fired in, William tries to whip it on the leg side but only manages an inside edge onto the pads. It deflects to the off side and they steal a run.

Slower one again, full and on middle, McClintock crouches a bit and heaves it over square leg. Tiripano does well in the deep to cut it off and saves two runs for his team.

Clever change in pace. On a length and outside off, William is early into his push and misses.

Switches to over the wicket now...

FOUR! Easy pickings! Blessing runs in from 'round the wicket and serves a full toss on the pads, McClintock picks it up and whips it through square leg for a powerful boundary.

Blessing Muzarabani is back into the attack.

Angling away from the batsman, on a length, Williams whacks it over the infield at covers and takes a single. Two excellent overs in a row from Zimbabwe.

FOUR! The crowd loves it. Short and around middle, William McClintock hangs on the back foot and muscles his pull shot to the deep square leg fence.

Fuller and on off, McClintock drives it to extra cover where Craig Ervine dives to stop the racing ball. Dot again.

Play and a miss! Short and outside off, William tries to cut but misses.

George Dockrell is in next. He has been in great form this season.

OUT! Zimbabwe continue to make some late inroads here. Short in length and outside off, Andy Balbirnie camps back and smashes it in the air over covers. Wesley Madhevere is once again in action in the deep as he moves across swiftly to his right and takes the catch easily. Andy Balbirnie departs after playing a good hand.

Shortish and outside off, William McClintock steers it through point for a single.

Bowling change. Richard Ngarava returns to operate at the death.

Sharp bounce, from around off, William McClintock tries to work it on the leg side but gets an inside edge onto the thigh pad. It ricochets to point and they cross. William is off the mark in international cricket. Just 4 from the over along with a wicket, a good one by Luke Jongwe.

Full again, outside off, pushed through to extra cover for one.

Fuller and sliding down the leg side, Andy tries to flick but misses and it goes off his pads to the keeper.

William McClintock walks in next amidst a huge cheer from the crowd.

OUT! Getkate holes out! Back of a length, around off, Shane camps back and tries to heave it over the leg side. The connection is not proper as it comes from the top half of his bat. Wesley Madhevere moves across to his left at deep mid-wicket and takes the skier safely.

Short and outside off, Balbirnie pulls it firmly to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Slower one, full and outside off, Getkate goes hard at it and is early into the shot. It takes the inner half and rolls next to the pitch on the leg side. The batters cross.

Luke Jongwe is back into the attack. 0/13 in his 2 overs so far.

Too full and on middle, Shane digs it out down towards long on for a run. 4-0-22-2, Wellington Masakadza is done for the evening with the ball. Fabulous effort from him.

Fires it full and on middle, Andy flicks it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Masakadza drags his length short and bowls it wide outside off, Getkate cuts it to deep point for one.

Flighted and on middle, on a fuller length, it's eased down to long on for a single.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Short in length and around middle and leg, Andy Balbirnie goes deep inside the crease and lifts it over extra cover for a boundary.

Tossed up ball around off, it's driven square of the wicket on the off side but straight to point.

Digs it in short, around off, Getkate tries to play the upper cut but misses. A rare dot from Donald. 16 from the over, Ireland are 134/2. 30 balls to go, can they reach 200?

On a length around middle, Andy glances it towards mid-wicket for a run.

FOUR! Misfield in the deep! Tiripano is not learning, delivers a shorter one on middle, Balbirnie rides the bounce and nails his pull shot to deep square leg. The fielder there dives but it spins away from him and meets the fence.

FOUR! Boom! Donald remains on the shorter side again, it's around off, Balbirnie drops his weight on the back foot and slams it over backward point for a boundary.

Tiripano pulls his length back and serves it around off, Shane stays back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! This has been dispatched! Fuller in length, around off, right in the slot, Getkate lines himself behind the delivery and lofts it nonchalantly over long off. A great start to the over for Ireland.

Donald Tiripano is back into the attack.

Too full this time, Getkate eases it past the bowler to long off and crosses. End of a successful over from Wellington Masakadza.

Quicker one, around off and a bit short, Balbirnie punches it to sweeper cover for one.

Shortish and outside off, turning away, Shane hangs on the back foot and plays it down to cover-point. Slight confusion but the batters then cross for a run.

Flatter and shorter outside off, Andy slaps it through cover-point for a single.

Shane Getkate is the new batter.

OUT! Stirling falls. Wellington has his second wicket. Tossed up ball, landing a touch short and holding up a bit off the surface, Stirling moves back to hit it through the line but it takes the top edge and goes towards extra cover. Craig Ervine settles underneath it and makes no mistake. The dangerman departs.

Fullish and on off, it's pushed back to the bowler.

Bowling change. Wellington Masakadza is back on. He is the only wicket-taker so far.

A low full toss on off, Balbirnie drives but finds the extra cover fielder. 14 from the over, Ireland are on the march.

SIX! Nailed it. Floated one, full and around off, Andy Balbirnie kneels down again and this time he smokes it over mid-wicket for a maximum. New ball, please.

Fires it full and wide outside off, Andy drills his drive through covers and Myers makes a diving stop near the fence. Saves two.

FOUR! Loopy and full around off, Andy Balbirnie goes down and across before sweeping it over short fine leg for a boundary.

Quicker one, full and on middle, forced down past the bowler for a single at long on.

Flatter and fuller on off, it's driven down through mid off for a single.

On a length and outside off, slapped to point where Wesley Madhevere dived and made a half stop. They crossed.

Short in length, around off, it's been pulled to deep mid-wicket for another run in this over.

Shortish and on off, Balbirnie punches it from the back foot to sweeper cover. A single is taken.

Slower one, short and outside off, Stirling taps it down towards third man and takes a single.

Wesley Madhevere is in deep pain and the physio comes out. Seems like he has hurt his right hand.

Full ball, outside off. Paul Stirling drives it through cover-point where Wesley Madhevere dives but fails to stop. The fielder in the deep does well and keeps it down to two.

Good-length ball, angling in from middle. Paul Stirling looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads.

Blessing Muzarabani is back on.

Flatter and quicker, outside off. Paul Stirling stays back to cut it towards sweeper cover. They take a single.

Tossed up, outside off. Andy Balbirnie works it towards wide long off for an easy run.

Quicker one, just outside off. Paul Stirling cuts it towards sweeper cover for a run.

Andy Balbirnie is off the mark! Quicker ball, outside off. Andy Balbirnie cuts it to sweeper cover for one.

Flatter ball, on off. Paul Stirling works it down to long off for a single.

Skipper Andy Balbirnie walks in next.

OUT! Outstanding catch to break the opening partnership of 89 runs. Well done, Milton Shumba. Flighted and full ball around Kevin O'Brien steps back to make room for the inside-out shot over extra cover. His shot though has more height than distance. Milton Shumba comes running forward and across from wide long off, puts in a dive and takes it inches above the ground. Excellent stuff, this should lift the confidence of Zimbabwe.

Another short ball, outside off. Kevin O'Brien pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a run. Ireland are 89/0 at the halfway mark.

Back of a length, on off. Paul Stirling stays back and guides it towards short third man. Blessing Muzarabani dives to his right and keeps it down to one.

FOUR! Well played! Too full in length, around off, Paul Stirling lofts it over cover-point with great power. The sweeper cover fielder runs across to his left, puts in a dive but fails to cut it off. Should have done better.

Slower ball, banged in short. Kevin O'Brien looks to pull but he gets a top edge behind square leg. The fielder in the deep comes running across and saves a certain boundary. They take one.

Good-length ball, angling in from middle. Paul Stirling turns it to mid-wicket and scampers through for a run.

Short of a length, down leg. Kevin O'Brien tickles it towards fine leg and rotates the strike.

Tossed up, around off. Paul Stirling comes forward and blocks it watchfully.

Flatter ball, outside off. Paul Stirling cuts it to covers.

Flatter ball, on middle. Kevin O'Brien turns it to mid-wicket for a run.

Short ball, outside off. Kevin O'Brien looks to cut hard but the ball goes towards extra cover where the fielder dives and stops the ball.

FOUR! Smashed away! Short in length and close to off, Kevin O'Brien rocks back and cuts it off the outer half of his bat. It flies over backward point and finds the fence.

Starts with a quicker ball, around off. Kevin O'Brien pushes it to covers off the back foot.

Wellington Masakadza is into the attack now.

Short ball, around off. Kevin O'Brien rocks back and pulls it towards fine leg for a single.

FOUR! Put away over the infield. Fuller in length and outside off, Kevin O'Brien flays at it and slices it behind backward point for a boundary.

Short of a length, around off. Kevin O'Brien looks to pull but he loses his shape as one hand comes off his bat. The ball goes on the bounce to mid-wicket off the splice of the bat.

Another ball, down the leg side. Paul Stirling turns it towards fine leg to collect a single.

Back of a length, darted on the pads. Kevin O'Brien flicks it off his pads towards fine leg. They take a run.

Good-length ball, around off. Kevin O'Brien hangs back and guides it towards deep backward point.

Wide! Starts with a wide ball, down leg. Kevin O'Brien misses the leg glance and it is called a wide.

Short ball, outside off. Kevin O'Brien rocks back and pushes it down to long off for a run. 10 from the first over after the field restriction is relaxed.

Quicker ball, on leg. Paul Stirling punches it down the ground, past the bowler to long on, another run taken.

A tad short, around middle and leg. Kevin O'Brien forces it down to long on for a single.

Well bowled! Flighted ball, on middle. Kevin O'Brien pushes it back to the bowler.

Tossed up, on middle. Paul Stirling flicks it towards mid-wicket to collect a single.

Flatter ball, down leg. Kevin O'Brien stays back and works it to mid-wicket for one.

Five wides! Poor start from Wesley Madhevere. Spills one down leg. Kevin O'Brien misses the slog and the keeper fails to collect it. The ball races away for a boundary.

Change. Wesley Madhevere to have a go after the Powerplay.

Angles in a length ball on middle, Kevin uses his wrists and nudges it to short fine leg for a quick run. End of the Powerplay, Ireland are 57/0!

Back of a length, around off and angling in, another slower one, O'Brien defends it down from the back foot.

Slower one this time, around off, Kevin plays it down with soft hands to backward point.

FOUR! Three in a row from Kevin O'Brien. This is seriously great batting. Short again, around off, O'Brien gives himself room and blazes it away to the cover fence.

FOUR! This time over the off side. The length is short and close to off, Kevin steps back and whacks it to the deep cover fence. 50 up!

FOUR! O'Brien is looking in great touch as well. Short in length around middle, some extra bounce, O'Brien moves back, uses the depth of his crease and pulls it to the deep mid-wicket fence. Unorthodox but effective.

Blessing Muzarabani comes back to bowl the last over of the Powerplay.

Richard comes from 'round the wicket and delivers it on a good length around off, Kevin dabs it down to short third man for another quick run. 12 from this over, 25 in the last two.

Back of a length around off, Stirling hops and taps it down to the leg side. They pinch a single as the bowler rushes towards the ball.

FOUR! Clever from Stirling. Ngarava delivers it short and outside off, Paul plays late and places it wide of short third man for a boundary. Deft. Moves to 21 off 14 balls.

Short and wide outside off, O'Brien slaps it to sweeper cover for a single.

Fuller and on middle, slower in pace, Paul plays late and eases it to the right of short third man for a single.

FOUR! Slapped down the ground! Short in length, outside off, Stirling hangs on the back foot and bludgeons it to long off for a boundary.

Richard Ngarava comes back into the attack.

Good length, on middle, worked on the leg side but this time straight to square leg. 13 from this long over.

Fuller in length and on the pads, it's flicked to deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Wide! Another delivery down the leg side, O'Brien tries his best to get some bat behind it but misses.

Bowled off a Free Hit! Slower one, a touch short and around off, the batsman steps back to swing it over the leg side but misses. The stumps are disturbed but no harm is done.

Wide! On a length but going down the leg side, Kevin O'Brien winds up for a big heave but misses.

No ball! A very high full toss, Kevin O'Brien moves back and ducks at the last moment. Called a no ball for height. Free Hit time...

Wide! Sliding down the leg side, O'Brien tries to flick but misses.

Shortish and on off, jumping onto the batsman, O'Brien hops and mistimes his back foot punch to covers.

SIX! That's the first biggie of the day! Fuller in length and in the line of the stumps, O'Brien steps back to give himself room and smashes it over extra cover for a maximum.

Sharp delivery, extra movement and bounce. It lands on a length around middle, Stirling tries to work it on the leg side but misses. It goes off his thigh pad to backward point. They cross and it's given as a run.

Donald Tiripano comes to bowl now.

Fuller in length and around off, Stirling pushes it defensively to covers and steals a quick run. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. A tidy first over by Luke Jongwe.

Singles continue to come. Shortish and on off, coming back into the batsman with the angle, O'Brien flicks it through square leg.

A touch short and on middle, angling in, Stirling works it in front of square leg and scampers across to the other end.

On a length and around off, O'Brien wrists it behind square leg and pinches a single.

Short in length and outside off, some extra bounce, Paul chops down his attempted square cut to covers. The fielder fumbles slightly and they cross for a run.

Angles it in on a good length, around middle and leg, Stirling gets back and defends it towards mid-wicket.

Luke Jongwe comes into the attack now.

That's absolutely hammered but straight to the man at extra cover. Short in length and around off, Kevin blazes it through the line but fails to pierce the gap on the off side. 7 runs from the second over as well, a decent start for both teams.

Pitches it up and around off, Kevin pushes it back to the bowler. Richard Ngarava picks up the ball and mimes a throw at the batsman.

Again the length is slightly on the shorter side, around off, Paul walks across the stumps and taps it down to mid-wicket for a run.

FOUR! Beautiful timing and placement! Short in length and around off, Stirling stays on the back foot, opens up slightly in his stance and punches it sweetly through the gap at cover-point for a boundary.

Shortish and on middle, Kevin hops and tucks it in front of square leg for a single.

Back of a length, around off and angling away, Paul Stirling stays back and runs it down to third man for a run.

Richard Ngarava will start from the other end.

Shortish and on off, punched off the back foot to extra cover, it's uppish but wide of the mid off fielder inside the ring. One run added to the total, 7 from the first over.

Extra bounce as we always get to see with Blessing Muzarabani. Around off and shaping in with some extra lift. O'Brien fails to keep it out and it goes off his thigh pad to backward point. They cross for a leg bye.

FOUR! Too straight from Muzarabani. On a length around middle and leg, angling down, Kevin O'Brien tickles it off his pads and sends it racing away behind square leg. The fielder in the deep tries to slide and pull it back but misses. He himself signals a boundary.

On a good length and close to off, Kevin O'Brien sticks back and plays it down with gentle hands to cover-point.

Stirling opens his account. Fractionally short and on middle, Paul goes back and uses the angle of the bowler as he works it towards square leg for a single.

Blessing Muzarabani begins with a shortish ball around off, Paul Stirling stays back and taps it down on the off side.

We are set for the game to begin! Zimbabwe players are in a huddle before they stride out to the middle. Ireland openers, Paul Stirling and Kevin O'Brien are at the crease! Blessing Muzarabani to start with the ball. Here we go...

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

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

Toss - The two captains are out in the middle. Andy Balbirnie has the coin and he gives it a good toss but it comes down in favour of his counterpart. ZIMBABWE ELECT TO FIELD! They have one forced change with Donald Tiripano replacing Ryan Burl. Also, Blessing Muzarabani is in the XI, replacing Tendai Chatara. Ireland have made a couple of changes as well - Barry McCarthy and Craig Young return in the XI and Benjamin White and Josh Little miss out.

There is a slight delay in toss as one of the Zimbabwean players has gone down during the warm-up drills. It's Ryan Burl who has sprained his ankle and will miss this match.

Weather - The conditions are pretty much overcast at the moment but there is no real threat of rain on this game if the radar is to be trusted. The players are going through their warm-up drills at the moment and we are moments away from the all-important toss. Stay tuned.

Ireland, on the other hand, would be aiming to win this fixture and seal the five-match series. The result of the first match was a good wake-up call for them and they've responded in the best way possible. Will we witness another Paul Stirling special in this game? Or will Zimbabwe come storming back into the series? We'll find that out soon. Stay tuned for toss and further updates.

Hello and a very warm welcome to the coverage of the 4th T20I between Ireland and Zimbabwe. The series is on the line with Zimbabwe having won the first game and then Ireland making a grand comeback to win back-to-back matches and eventually going 2-1 up in the series, courtesy of an unbeaten hundred by their veteran, Paul Stirling. Zimbabwe would be keen to win this match and save the series by putting in a better performance. They have lacked consistency both with the bat and ball in the series so far and they would certainly need a complete team performance if they are to win this game and keep the series alive.