Ireland won the toss and elected to bowl against Zimbabwe in a rain-shortened 18-over match in Harare. Zimbabwe’s captain, Sikandar Raza, agreed with the decision, but emphasized that the toss wouldn’t dictate the game’s outcome. With a 1-0 series lead, Zimbabwe cannot lose the series as the first game was abandoned. Ireland made three changes, debuting Tim Tector along with Fionn Hand and Matthew Humphreys. Raza expressed optimism about the pitch despite a wet outfield potentially aiding batting. This match marks the second day-night game in Harare’s history, following the same teams’ previous encounter, which Zimbabwe won.
Ireland won the toss and opted to bowl against Zimbabwe
Paul Stirling sent Zimbabwe in to bat in Harare after a 45-minute rain delay postponed the toss, shortening the match to an 18-over fixture. Sikandar Raza, the Zimbabwe captain, mentioned he would have chosen to bowl first as well due to the rain, but emphasized that his team wouldn’t allow the toss outcome to determine the result of their final home game of the summer. The hosts enter the match holding a 1-0 series advantage and are unable to lose the series since the initial game was rained out.
Zimbabwe has made no alterations to the team that gained the series lead in the previous match. Raza was optimistic that the pitch would be dry, but noted that a wet outfield could make batting easier.
Ireland XI: Paul Stirling (capt), Tim Tector, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Fionn Hand, Matthew Humphreys, Craig Young, Josh Little
Zimbabwe XI: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Wessly Madhevere, Sikandar Raza (capt), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu