That's it from our coverage of the 2nd ODI match series between Zimbabwe and Ireland from Ireland. Ireland may have levelled the series 1-0 lead but these two sides will go again on Tuesday for the series decider. Till then, stay tuned with us!
Arjun Bhalla is signing off on behalf of my co-commentator, Saptak Sanyal, and scorer/analyst, Raju Khariya. Stay tuned for more action from around the world.
Paul Stirling (Ireland Captain):"I think we bettered our performance to be honest. Sikandar and Madhevere batted well but Curtis turned the game into our favour. I think at the halfway, we were looking to chase 270 or more. But those wickets in the middle over was crucial.
Muzarabani is an X-factor bowler. Sometimes he extracts a bit of lateral movement. We tried to stay in the crease and take the game deep. The games are coming thick and fast. We have to sit tomorrow for the plans and come up for the next game Tuesday."
Craig Ervine (Zimbabwe Captain): "I thought 280 odd runs would be a great total here. I wish I could have won the toss (chuckles). We were cruising at one stage but Curtis (Campher) came in and broke our momentum.
It wasn't a great wicket to bat on. But Paul Stirling and Campher batted really well. You always want to give it your best shot right till the end. That partnership between Curtis and Stirling set it up for them."
Curtis Campher (Player of the Match):"Captain told me what to do and thankfully it came off. I tried to do what I can do with the ball. Big lads (Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani) have bowled beautifully. We as batters, tried to stick to the crease and respect the good balls.
Player of the Match: Curtis Campher
Time for the post-match presentations.
Highest Aggregate ODI Runs by an Irish Batter After Playing First 34 Innings:
1) 1428- Harry Tector
2) 1349- Paul Stirling
3) 1102- Curtis Campher
4) 1081- William Porterfield
5) 943- Kevin O'Brien
Highest Partnership for Ireland against Zimbabwe in ODI for Any Wicket:
1) 212*- Andrew Balbirnie/Harry Tector (Harare, 18th January, 2023)
2) 144- Paul Stirling/Curtis Campher (Harare, TODAY)
3) 138- Andrew Balbirnie/Ed Joyce (Hobart, 7th March, 2015)
4) 115- Andrew White/Garry Wilson (Harare, 26th September, 2010)
5) 111- James McCollum/Paul Stirling (Belfast, 4th July, 2019)
8:50 PM IST, 5:20 PM Local Time | That's it! Ireland have made a roaring comeback in this ODI series after losing the first game to the hosts. After bowling brilliantly in the first innings, the Irish batters made a statement in the chase to level the series by chasing 246 runs inside 49 overs with ease.
Paul Stirling led the charge with a blazing 89. For the second time in the series, the Irish skipper lost his opening partner, Andrew Balbirnie, early in the innings. But Stirling and Curtis Campher stitched an excellent stand of 144 runs for the second wicket, where the former cruised the ship while the latter played a perfect siddle to Paul Stirling.
The second drinks break broke Irelandβs momentum as Trevor Gwandu broke the long-standing stand in the very first by sending Campher back on 64. He followed it with Harry Tectorβs wicket in his subsequent over.
The maestro opener tried converting his blitz into a triple-figure mark, but he lost his plot after getting tummy cramps. However, Lorcan Tucker and George Dockrell made sure Ireland get home without any other hiccups.
Earlier in the day, Mark Adair and Curtis Campher starred in the show with the ball for the Irish. The former was the one who laid the foundation right with the new ball, while Campher took the responsibility with the Chevrons were looking to revive the innings.
Wessly Madhevere and Sikandar Raza came together in the middle when Zimbabwe lost three wickets inside the first 20 overs. After the duo added 77 runs between them, Campher broke the hostsβ back by snapping three wickets in a flash.
Raza tried his hand again at the rebuilding stuff and he somewhat did a fine job. He scored a fighting fifty, but Adair was reintroduced to end his stay. He later cleaned up the tail to end with 4 for 54. Whereas, Campher bowled five overs for 3 for 13. As a result, Zimbabwe ended at 245 for 10 with one over to spare. Stay tuned for the post match presentation!!