Zimbabwe vs Ireland Archives

Former England batter Ballance makes winning debut for Zimbabwe

HARARE: Former England batter Gary Ballance struck 30 runs on his Zimbabwe debut in a five-wicket Twenty20 victory over Ireland at Harare Sports Club on Thursday.

After Ireland had been dismissed for 114 in 19.2 overs, a four from wicketkeeper Clive Madande lifted Zimbabwe to 118-5 with 12 balls to spare.

Ballance, 33, was born in Harare, making him eligible to switch international allegiance after playing 23 Tests and 16 one-day internationals in an England career that ended six years ago.

Featuring in his first T20 international, Ballance compiled the second highest Zimbabwe score behind Sean Williams (34) after facing 29 balls and hitting one six and two fours.

His innings ended in the fourth ball of the 12th over when a faint nick was caught by wicketkeeper Stephen Doheny off a lengthy delivery by right-arm fast medium bowler Mark Adair.

Ballance was released by English county Yorkshire last year after admitting he used racist language against teammate Azeem Rafiq.

Revelations by Pakistan-born Rafiq of institutional racism triggered wholesale changes at the club.

Zimbabwe lacked star batter Sikandar Raza — shortlisted for three 2022 International Cricket Council awards — who is playing franchise cricket in Bangladesh.

Williams carried on where Ballance left off to ensure a home victory in the first of three T20 internationals. The others are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

In a 47-minute stand, Williams averaged just over a run a ball and his total included three fours.

Adair and off-spinner Harry Tector were the most successful Irish bowlers, capturing two wickets each.

Put in to bat after Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine won the toss, Ireland lost openers Ross Adair and skipper Andy Balbirnie with just 12 runs on the scoreboard.

Only Gareth Delany, who top scored with 24, Curtis Campher and Doheny reached double figures while right-arm leg spinner Ryan Burl (3-29) was the most successful Zimbabwe bowler.

READ: Rahul, Kuldeep give India unassailable lead over Sri Lanka

Zimbabwe’s squad for Ireland T20Is includes England’s Gary Ballance

HARARE: Zimbabwe Cricket on Wednesday unveiled their T20I squad for the home series against Ireland that features former England batter Gary Ballance.

According to the details, the former England batter Ballance recently signed a two-year deal with Zimbabwe Cricket – the country of his birth – following his exclusion from county cricket side Yorkshire in December last year.

Notably, Ballance represented England in 23 Tests and 16 ODIs between 2014 and 2017.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Zimbabwe Cricket and can’t wait to start work with some great coaches and talented players,” said Ballance.

“The opportunity to represent Zimbabwe has given me a new-found passion and excitement for the game.

“I have kept in touch with a number of people within Zimbabwe cricket over the years and it has been great to watch their recent progress especially.”

Zimbabwe have named former England batter Gary Balance in their T20I squad that has a few prominent names missing 👀

Details 👉 https://t.co/lra9t1ELk2 #ZIMvIRE pic.twitter.com/rZntt8O5EZ

— ICC (@ICC) January 4, 2023

Meanwhile, dynamic all-rounder Sikandar Raza was omitted from the squad for Ireland T20Is as he has been granted permission to partake in the United Arab Emirate’s (UAE) ILT20, in which he will represent Dubai Capitals.

Furthermore, right-arm pacer Blessing Muzarabani, who is recovering from a quadriceps injury was also missing from the squad alongside wicketkeeper-batter Regis Chakabva and Milton Shumba.

Whereas, Innocent Kaia, Tadiwanashe Marumani and Victor Nyauchi have all been called up for the home T20I series.

It is apropos to mention that the three-match series between Zimbabwe and Ireland will be played on January 12, 14 and 15 at Harare Sports Club followed by ODI series of as many matches, scheduled to take place at the same venue on January 18, 21 and 23.

ZIMBABWE SQUAD:

Craig Ervine (capt), Gary Ballance, Ryan Burl, Tendai Chatara, Bradley Evans, Luke Jongwe, Innocent Kaia, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Sean Williams

READ: PCB to announce ODI squad for New Zealand series tomorrow: Sources

Raza, bowlers power Zimbabwe to thump Ireland in T20 WC

HOBART: Zimbabwe marked their return to the big stage with a victory as Sikandar Raza and a combined display from the bowlers propelled them to outclass Ireland by 31 runs in the fourth match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.

The 175-run target set by Zimbabwe proved to be out of Ireland’s grasp as they fell 31 runs short of it; finishing at 143/9 in the allotted 20 overs.

Ireland had a deplorable start to their run chase as they lost four wickets at a paltry 22 in the fourth over.

Curtis Campher and George Dockrell then attempted to anchor the run chase and put on a crucial 44-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

Zimbabwe’s hero with the bat Raza struck gold for his side in the 10th over as he castled Dockrell for 24.

Campher then joined hands with Gareth Delany and put on another vital partnership for his side as the duo added 27 runs before Sean Williams struck for Zimbabwe to remove the former in the 13th over.

The right-handed batter top-scored for his side with a gritty knock of 27 off 22 balls including a boundary.

Delany and Barry McCarthy then chipped in with 24 and 22 respectively but failed to guide their side to victory as Zimbabwe restricted Ireland to 143/9.

Blessing Muzarabani led the Zimbabwean bowling attack as he returned exceptional bowling figures of 3/23, while Richard Ngarava and Tendai Chatara bagged two wickets each.

Williams and Raza, on the other hand, struck out a batter each.

Batting first, Zimbabwe finished at the highest total so far in the ongoing mega event as they accumulated 174/7 in their quota of 20 overs, thanks to an astonishing knock from Raza.

The side had an unwanted start to their innings as they were 37/3 in the fifth over as the top-order returned back to the pavilion cheaply.

Following the slump, Raza stood up for his team and kept the scoreboard ticking single-handedly while his side kept losing wickets at regular intervals.

The right-handed batter top-scored for the side with a brilliant knock of 82 off 48 deliveries, laced with five boundaries and as many sixes.

Lower-order batter Luke Jongwe also chipped in with a quickfire cameo and powered his side to a decent total. He remained unbeaten with 20 off 10 with the help of three boundaries.

Josh Little led the Irish bowling attack with brilliant figures of 3/24, while Mark Adair and Simi Sing bagged two wickets each.

READ: Batters propel England to beat Pakistan in T20 WC warm-up

Ireland win toss, choose to field first against Zimbabwe in T20 WC

HOBART: Ireland have won the toss and opted to bowl first against Zimbabwe in the fourth match of the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.

PLAYING XIs

Ireland: Andy Balbirnie (c), Paul Stirling, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Simi Singh, Barry McCarthy, Josh Little

Zimbabwe: Regis Chakabva (wk), Craig Ervine (c), Wessly Madhevere, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Tendai Chatara, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani