Zimbabwe pull of heist for three-run win

Zimbabwe 117 for 7 (Chakabva 47, Young 2-15, Simi 2-22) beat Ireland 114 for 9 (Simi 28*, Burl 3-22, Masakadza 2-18) by three runs

Dublin: Ireland lost to Zimbabwe by three runs in the first of five Twenty20 internationals between the sides.

Zimbabwe were in trouble at 5-2 but Regis Chakabva top-scored with 47 off 28 balls to help steer the tourists to a total of 117-7 at Clontarf.

Ireland began their reply strongly, as Paul Stirling scored 24 and opening partner Kevin O'Brien got 25.

But despite Simi Singh's unbeaten 28, the hosts fell narrowly short of their target, Ryan Burl taking 3-22.

Wellington Masakadza and Luke Jongwe took two wickets apiece to help their side to victory.

For O'Brien, his creditable knock marked something of a return to form, the 37-year-old having managed only two runs in the three T20 defeats by South Africa in July a month after opting to end his one-day international career.

Masakadza also performed strongly with the bat, scoring 19 not out in his side's innings. Craig Young and Singh both claimed two Zimbabwean wickets.

Scores	Upcoming	Results
Australia vs Pakistan - 3rd T20I 3rd ODI - Sri Lanka v New Zealand - November 19, 09:00 GMT 1st Test - West Indies v Bangladesh - November 22-26, GMT 5th T20I - West Indies v England at St. Lucia No results 2nd ODI - Sri Lanka v New Zealand at Kandy Sri Lanka won by 3 wickets (with 6 balls remaining) (DLS method)

Related links

Zimbabwe tour of Ireland 2021 News

McBrine and Simi Singh guides Ireland to draw series [+]

Josh Little, spinners help Ireland level series as Brendan Taylor has forgettable finale.

Ireland-Zimbabwe 2nd ODI abandoned because of weather [+]

The second of three one-day internationals between Ireland and Zimbabwe at Stormont has been abandoned because of persistent rain.

Bowlers help Zimbabwe take series lead after clinical show [+]

Blessing Muzarabani, Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza hand Zimbabwe only second Super League win.

Zimbabwe finish T20I series on a high with narrow win [+]

Zimbabwe secured a five-run victory against Ireland in the fifth and final T20I in Bready, with the series finishing 3-2 in favour of the home side.

Mark Adair eases Ireland to series win [+]

Ireland move into an unassailable 3-1 series lead after defeating Zimbabwe in the fourth Twenty20 match between the sides at Bready.

Stirling ton sees Ireland beat Zimbabwe [+]

Paul Stirling continued his brilliant run of summer form as his unbeaten 115 helped Ireland move 2-1 up in the T20 series against Zimbabwe.

Getkate, Kevin star as Ireland level series [+]

Ireland beat Zimbabwe by seven wickets at Clontarf to leave the Twenty20 series 1-1 with three games remaining.

Zimbabwe pull of heist for three-run win [+]

Richard Ngarava defends five off last over as Zimbabwe clinch low-scorer by three runs runs.

Campher gets first Ireland T20 call-up [+]

Ireland have announced their squads for the white-ball series against Zimbabwe, which begins on 27 August.

Ireland to host Zimbabwe for ODI, T20I series in August [+]

Earlier, Ireland ODI & T20 tour of Zimbabwe postponed because of Covid-19 concerns.