Zimbabwe beat Ireland by five runs in a low-scoring thriller on 4 September, in the fifth T20I at the Bready Cricket Club. Still, it was only a consolation victory for Craig Ervine’s side, as they lost the five-match series 2-3.
After Andy Balbirnie won the toss and asked Zimbabwe to bat, Mark Adair dismissed Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and Regis Chakabva with successive balls in the second over. Wesley Madhevere (9 in 21 balls) did not last long either as they slipped to 30/3 in seven overs.
Ervine and Dion Myers held the fort from there. They added 57 in 50 balls before Adair (3-23) returned in the 16th over, and removed Myers (26).
Ervine struck seven fours and a six in his unbeaten 57-ball 67 and shared an unbroken 33-run stand with Milton Shumba (14*) to help Zimbabwe finish on 124/4. Barring Shane Getkate, all Irish bowlers conceded less than six an over.
Coming to the chase, Ireland lost their top four – Paul Stirling, Kevin O’Brien, Balbirnie, and Harry Tector – inside the Powerplay. Luke Jongwe and Donald Tiripano took two wickets each in this period to reduce Ireland to 30/4.
Coming at No. 5, Neil Rock shared a 36-run stand with for the sixth wicket with Getkate before the latter fell to Wellington Masakadza in the 13th over. In the next over, Jongwe sent Rock back to the dressing-room. Ireland never really came back from there, and were bowled out for 119 on the final ball of the contest.
The two teams will now play a three-match ODI series, starting 8 September at Belfast's Civil Service Cricket Club.
Brief scores: Zimbabwe 124/4 in 20 overs (Craig Ervine 67; Mark Adair 3-23) beat Ireland 119 in 20 overs (Neil Rock 22; Luke Jongwe 3-29) by 5 runs. Player of the Match: Craig Ervine.
Ireland won the series 3-2. Player of the Series: Paul Stirling.