Zimbabwe won the third Twenty20 (T20) international series 2-1 after beating Ireland by four (4) wickets in the final match at a packed Harare Sports Club on Sunday.
The match was screened live on national television, ZBCTv.
Some highlights:
The series-deciding win is a significant achievement for the Zimbabwean side.
The southern African nation was missing several key players including Sikandar Raza, new man Gary Ballance, Blessing Muzarabani and Sean Williams for varying reasons.
Ireland made 141-9 off their 20 overs and it looked like they were on the way to a famous series win.
However, Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine scored a half-century before Ryan Burl produced some sensational power-hitting at the end.
Ervine’s 54 off 43 deliveries remained in the game for long periods before the momentum appeared to swing back in Ireland’s favour when he was caught by Curtis Campher off the bowling of Mark Adair in the 16th over.
Burl, however, brought Zimbabwe back in control when he hit back-to-back sixes off George Dockrell in the 18th over as he made 30 runs off just 11 balls and the hosts eventually won with six balls to spare.
The sides meet in the first of three One Day International (ODIs) at the same venue on Wednesday.