Ireland and Zimbabwe, often considered minnows in international cricket, are set to kick start their 5-match T20I series today (Aug 27) evening! This series will be crucial for Ireland as it will be a build-up to the upcoming all-important ICC World T20, which is to be played in UAE and Oman beginning from October 17. Also, Ireland, after this Zimbabwe series, will not be playing any T20I games prior to the marquee event as per the announced FTP schedule.
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| Ireland vs Zimbabwe (Image Credits: Getty Images) |
On the other hand, Zimbabwe will not be featured in the upcoming World T20 2021. It was altogether a different story related to a ban which was implemented on them by the ICC for their government's direct intervention in Zimbabwe Cricket! As a matter of fact, Zimbabwe will be playing for pride on this tour. Craig Ervine will lead them in this T20I series as he is named captain for the first time in this format. Ervine will be the 9th T20I captain for Zimbabwe.
Head-to-Head between Ireland and Zimbabwe in T20Is:
Both these teams first played a T20I in the World T20 2014 at Sylhet. Courtesy of Paul Stirling's heroics (60 runs off 34 balls) with the bat, Ireland chased down Zimbabwe's 163/5 with 3 wickets in hand. Since then, both of these teams have played in just one bilateral T20I series in July 2019, which was a 3-match affair. There was no clear winner in that series as rain played spoilsport upfront.
Due to heavy rain, the first T20I of that series was abandoned even without a single ball bowled (no toss as well). Courtesy of Paul Stirling's heroics (again!), Ireland defeated Zimbabwe in the rain-hit 2nd T20I (reduced to 13 overs per side) by 9 wickets. Ireland chased down Zimbabwe's 132/8 with 9 wickets in hand and 13 balls to spare! Stirling remained unbeaten on 83* off just 36 deliveries which included 6 fours and 7 sixes.
Zimbabwe made a comeback in the 3rd T20I on that 2019 tour to win and share the 3-match series 1-1 with Ireland. Stirling was dismissed for a first-ball Duck in that 3rd T20I and that was the game for Zimbabwe! Courtesy of unbeaten half-centuries each from Craig Ervine (68* off 47) and Sean Williams (58* off 30), Zimbabwe registered an 8-wicket victory with 20 balls to spare.
What should Ireland focus on in this Zimbabwe T20I series?
Ireland played against a strong South African T20I team last month at home. Though they lost the 3-match series by 3-0, it was their batting failures that would hurt them the most! If there are any areas that Ireland will be targeting in this 5-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, then that should be their batting. Moreover, Ireland opener Stirling had a wonderful outing in the recently concluded Hundred tournament with the bat for Southern Brave and his team will be hoping for him to continue his amazing form with the bat.
The only bilateral T20I series between Ireland and Zimbabwe so far ended as a Draw. Let's see how both Ireland and Zimbabwe approach this upcoming 5-match T20I series in Ireland.
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