Zimbabwe defeat Ireland by two wickets

Zimbabwe edged out Ireland by two wickets in another tense encounter in the opening game of their three-match series in Harare.

Zimbabwe then just squeezed home with an over to spare, Tinashe Panyangara striking a four to take them past their victory target.

The Zimbabwean chase was marred by fall of wickets at regular intervals.

George Dockrell was the best Irish bowler on view, removing the unsafe Sean Williams (24) and skipper Elton Chigumbura (16), but couldn’t dislodge the stubborn Raza.

Three very important dropped catches would additionally give ache to Ireland in retrospect.

Raza had only the tail for company, but he found a surprisingly able partner in debutant Wellington Masakadza. Zimbabwe needed 11 from the last three overs, and importantly Ireland had ran out of spin options.

The burly quick responded in fearless fashion, stepping down the track to club Tim Murtagh down the ground, ending the match and sparking fevered celebrations from the modest crowd that had gathered to watch it. Though Raza’s knock sealed the result, the character of this game was decided by the spinners on both sides.

Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura won the toss and opted to bowl in the series opener against Ireland in Harare.

Put into bat on a turning pitch, Ireland made 219 for eight, with the key partnership coming for the fourth wicket as Gary Wilson, who top-scored with an unbeaten 70, and Ed Joyce, who made 53, added 83 in 111 balls.

Zimbabwe leapfrog Ireland in 10th place in the ICC rankings table, but the Irish have a chance of instant revenge when the teams meet again at the same venue on Sunday before the series concludes on Tuesday.