Zimbabwe (ZIM) and Ireland (IRE) will lock horns against each other in the second of the three-match T20I series on January 14 (Saturday) in Harare. The hosts are leading the series 1-0 after clinching the opening game of the series. The game also marked the comeback of Gary Ballance in international cricket. Batting at number four, the left-hander scored a decent 30 runs off 29 balls with two fours and a six in the chase of 115.
As far as the match is concerned, Ireland, after being invited to bat first, missed their key players badly. The batting line-up didn’t step up as expected with only three players reaching the double figures. They were bundled out for just 114 runs in the final over of the game.
The defence of a meagre score is never easy and despite picking up a couple of early wickets, Ireland couldn’t restrict the opposition batters. The middle-order of Zimbabwe comprising Wesley Madhevere, Ballance and Sean Williams held fort for the team and eventually played a key role in chasing down the score in 18 overs.
Check out: ZIM vs IRE 2nd T20I Live Score
With the series on the line, Ireland will come hard at the home side, however, unless they acclimatise to the conditions, it will be tough for them to level the series. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, will eye a series win in the second game of the series itself.
Match Details
Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare
Date & Time: January 14, 2023, 4:30 PM (IST)
Live Streaming: Fancode
Pitch Report
The surface in Harare was extremely slow in the first T20I. Zimbabwe bowled as many as 11 overs of spin in 19.2 overs while Ireland also used three spinners who delivered 10 overs out of 18 bowled in the innings. With the same venue hosting second T20I, it remains to be seen if a different surface will be on offer. In case, same pitch is used, the surface will be even more slow making it tough for batting. The team winning the toss will look to bat first in that case.
Predicted Playing XIs for ZIM vs IRE
Zimbabwe (ZIM)
Craig Ervine (C), Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wesley Madhevere, Gary Ballance, Sean Williams, Ryan Burl, Clive Madande (WK), Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Tendai Chatara
Ireland (IRE)
Andrew Balbirnie (C), Ross Adair, Stephen Doheny (WK), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Tyrone Kane, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Fionn Hand, Barry McCarthy.
Probable Best Performers for ZIM vs IRE
Probable Best Batter: Harry Tector
Harry Tector might have starred with the ball in the first T20I with the figures of 2/17, but he is very talented batter and will be keen on putting up a big score in the must-win game. He struggled a lot on the slow pitch in the series opener scoring only 5 runs in 16 balls. Tector bats at four and has decent enough experience of 52 T20Is to graft it out in tough conditions.
Probable Best Bowler: Wellington Masakadza
Wellington Masakadza is one of the brilliant bowlers in Zimbabwe’s arsenal. He returned with the figures of 2/13 in four overs in the first T20I. With the a lot of right-handers present in the Ireland line-up, Masakadza can well turn out to be an impact bowler yet again.
Today’s Match Prediction: Team batting first to win the match.
