Ireland took an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series with a 64-run win against Zimbabwe in the fourth T20I at Bready Cricket Club. They posted an imposing target of 174 on the board and restricted Zimbabwe to 110/9. Mark Adair was adjudged Player of the Match for his four-wicket haul.
Put into bat, the opening pair of Paul Stirling and Kevin O’Brien got their team off a rollicking start. They added 89 runs in 10 overs before O’Brien (47 in 36 balls) holed out to Milton Shumba off Wellington Masakadza.
The rest of the batters ensured that the hosts did not squander the start. Andy Balbirnie joined Stirling out in the middle, and broke the shackles with a four and six off Wesley Madhevere in the 14th over. Stirling, on 39, got out in the next over.
Balbirnie contributed 36 in 22 balls and Shane Getkate 12 in 9. Ireland finished on 174/4. For Zimbabwe, Masakadza picked up two wickets.
Zimbabwe's innings never gathered pace as they kept losing wickets frequently. Madhevere and Tadiwanashe Marumani again failed to provide them with a decent start. Mark Adair got Marumani with his first ball.
In the next over, Adair removed Regis Chakabva and Dion Myers in the space of three balls. Captain Craig Ervine made 28 off 30 deliveries, and Luke Jongwe added an unbeaten 24 to reduce the margin of defeat. In the end, they were restricted to 110.
Brief scores: Ireland 174/4 (Kevin O'Brien 47; Wellington Masakadza 2-22) beat Zimbabwe 110/9 (Craig Irvine 28; Mark Adair 4-23) by 64 runs. Player of the Match: Mark Adair.