ZIM beat IRE by 107 runs | Zimbabwe vs Ireland, Highlights And Cricket Score Super Sixes - 3 ODI Match - Commentary

Now, Ireland are favourites going into the chase. But, but, a good start from the hosts and you never know. The pitch will get slower and slower as the game goes on and with a couple of early strikes and the crowd backing them to the hilt, it could make for an exciting second half. Join us in a short while for it.

Ireland will be quite happy with the performance overall. Yes, they would have preferred to wrap things up earlier, but a score of 211 is just below par on this track. They ran through the Zimbabwe batting order, which has failed yet again, to hold the advantage in their favour. Tim Murtagh led the charge with 3 scalps to his name, while the rest chipped in barring Paul Stirling.

If they already haven't made a statue for him yet, they better do it now, regardless of the result. Once again, like he has so often done, Sikandar Raza has bailed his side out of another tight situation. Courtesy his fantastic knock, Zimbabwe have a fighting chance as they have crossed the 200-run mark. From 112-6, it didn't seem like that would be possible, but the middle order giant has once again shepherded the tail and given his side and the crowd in the stadium some hope. His unbeaten 69 could be so vital in how this game turns out.

Barry McCarthy to Sikandar Raza. He can't. A single to end the innings. It's squeezed down towards third man and both batsmen cross over. ZIMBABWE FINISH ON 211/9!

Barry McCarthy to Sikandar Raza. SIX! Oh, yes! He's making everything happen here. The crowd goes wild as it knows they have some hope now. Raza stands tall and sends it sailing into the long on stands for half a dozen. Last ball of the innings, can he finish it off with another big one?

Barry McCarthy to Sikandar Raza. Full and outside off, drilled square on the off side.

Barry McCarthy to Sikandar Raza. Length delivery, slower in pace this time, deceives Raza as he's into the slog early.

Barry McCarthy to Sikandar Raza. SIX! Sikandar Raza is an absolute genius! Oh, you little ripper. What a hit! Bang! Right out of the screws! It's in his slot, he stays deep inside the crease, clears his front leg and smokes it straight back down the ground for a maximum.

Barry McCarthy to Sikandar Raza. Full and wide outside off, Raza looks to get bat on ball but misses.

Boyd Rankin to Sikandar Raza. Single to end the over. Raza works this length ball off his hips through backward square leg for one.

Boyd Rankin to Sikandar Raza. FOUR! There it is! That's the shot he was looking for. Full and in the slot, this time Raza makes room for himself and more importantly, connects well. He lofts it over covers and sends it across the boundary line.

Boyd Rankin to Sikandar Raza. Big swing and a miss! Back of a length shaping back in on the stumps, Raza goes for the big swing across the line but misses.

Boyd Rankin to Sikandar Raza. Wide! Rankin thought Raza would make room, so fired it full on the leg side. But Raza didn't and it's a wide.

Boyd Rankin to Blessing Muzarabani. Runs this length ball down to third man and brings Raza back on strike. Three balls remaining in the over.

Boyd Rankin to Blessing Muzarabani. Beautiful. Two dots in a row. Length ball outside off, pushed away in front of covers.

Boyd Rankin to Blessing Muzarabani. Excellent delivery. Yorker speared in on off, Blessing just about managed to dig it out.

Boyd Rankin to bowl again.

Barry McCarthy to Sikandar Raza. Length ball shaping away from outside off, Raza swings and misses. Is unable to get the single. Frustrated at that.

Barry McCarthy to Sikandar Raza. 13th ODI fifty for Sikandar Raza! What a man! Trying everything and doing so well for his side in a crisis yet again. Short ball which is pulled towards wide long on for a double. He saw Blessing run sloppily, so he urges him to ground his bat while running.

Barry McCarthy to Sikandar Raza. Wide! Well outside off, across the tramline, wide called.

Barry McCarthy to Sikandar Raza. Another dot. But it doesn't do justice to Raza. Full and on the stumps, he bludgeons this straight back down. It hits the stumps at the other end which prevents the boundary.

Barry McCarthy to Sikandar Raza. He didn't take the run! Talk about selflessness. Wow! He didn't want Muzarabani to have strike for most of the over so sent him back halfway. Raza hit this to sweeper cover. Dot ball.

Barry McCarthy to Sikandar Raza. Smacks this after backing away straight to extra cover.

Barry McCarthy to Sikandar Raza. FOUR! Full and straight on the stumps, Raza clears his front leg and murders this straight back over the bowler's head for a boundary. Powerful hit.

Barry McCarthy is back.

Tim Murtagh to Blessing Muzarabani. Slower delivery outside off, BM blocks it out.

Tim Murtagh to Blessing Muzarabani. Fuller outside off, driven straight to mid off.

Tim Murtagh to Blessing Muzarabani. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Tim Murtagh to Blessing Muzarabani. Length delivery on middle and off, Blessing ekes out an inside edge on the pads.

Tim Murtagh to Blessing Muzarabani. Good length delivery on middle, defended back in the direction of the bowler.

Blessing Muzarabani is the last man in.

Tim Murtagh to Kyle Jarvis. OUT! Jarvis departs! Length ball on middle and off, Jarvis comes a step down and plays away from his body. Gets it off the outer half towards point where Paul Stirling dives to his right and takes a good catch.

Sikandar Raza needs to be till the end if Zimbabwe are to reach a substantial total. He's inching closer to his fifty. Will that happen?

Boyd Rankin to Kyle Jarvis. Full and outside off, played off the outer half down to third man for a single.

Boyd Rankin to Kyle Jarvis. Coming back in on middle and leg, worked away on the leg side.

Boyd Rankin to Kyle Jarvis. On a good length and outside off, plays it to point off the outer half.

Boyd Rankin to Sikandar Raza. Driven to mid off for a quick single.

Boyd Rankin to Sikandar Raza. The batsman has driven it through mid off.

Boyd Rankin to Sikandar Raza. Short and wide outside off, slapped hard but straight to extra cover. No run taken.

Boyd Rankin to Sikandar Raza. Wide! Back of a length wide outside off, left alone.

Boyd Rankin back into the attack.

Tim Murtagh to Kyle Jarvis. Jarvis defends this off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Kyle Jarvis is next.

Tim Murtagh to Tendai Chisoro. OUT! Edged and taken! Murtagh slants this across on a length around off, Chisoro has a feel for it and nicks it behind to the keeper who takes a regulation catch. A useful 42-run stand comes to an end.

Tim Murtagh to Sikandar Raza. Pounded short once more, pulled along the ground through to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Tim Murtagh to Sikandar Raza. Short ball going over Raza's head. He looks at the umpire who doesn't signal a wide for some reason. Strange decision.

Tim Murtagh to Tendai Chisoro. Length delivery slanting across, pushed wide of short cover for a single.

Tim Murtagh to Sikandar Raza. Slower short ball, the cutter, coming in on middle and leg, Raza has all the time in the world and then some to swivel and pull this down to fine leg for a single.

Tim Murtagh is back.

Barry McCarthy to Tendai Chisoro. Short ball, rising sharply, Chisoro plays the pull shot and misses.

Barry McCarthy to Sikandar Raza. Raza backs away even before the ball is bowled. Then smacks this length ball hard to wide mid off. A misfield there allows the batsmen to take a single.

Barry McCarthy to Sikandar Raza. Cuts back in from a length, catches Raza a bit by surprise and raps him high on the thigh pad.

Barry McCarthy to Sikandar Raza. Short of a good length around off, kept out off the back foot.

Barry McCarthy to Tendai Chisoro. Short ball on middle and leg, a mistimed pull from Tendai Chisoro lands safely in the backward square leg area. One run taken.

Barry McCarthy to Sikandar Raza. Width offered outside off, slapped through to sweeper cover. Single taken easily.

Kevin O'Brien to Sikandar Raza. Hit through extra cover and Raza will retain strike.

Kevin O'Brien to Sikandar Raza. Wide! Angling down the leg side, Raza looks to flick but misses. Wide called by the umpire.

Kevin O'Brien to Sikandar Raza. Nicely placed. Short ball which Raza pulls over mid-wicket. It falls safely in the gap and two runs are taken.

Kevin O'Brien to Sikandar Raza. Keeps it tight again, on middle and off, played back to the bowler from within the crease.

Kevin O'Brien to Sikandar Raza. Short around off, very close to the off stump, Raza is cramped for some room so can only manage a slap to short extra cover.

Kevin O'Brien to Sikandar Raza. Slower ball on the stumps, easily blocked by the batsman.

Kevin O'Brien to Sikandar Raza. Begins with a length delivery wide outside off, Raza cuts and plays it straight to short third man, who is positioned a bit square.

Kevin O'Brien has the ball again.

Barry McCarthy to Tendai Chisoro. Outside off and slanting further away, Chisoro once again fails to make connection. Beaten past the outside edge.

Barry McCarthy to Tendai Chisoro. Cutter landed on a length around off, Tendai plays away from his body towards cover.

Barry McCarthy to Tendai Chisoro. FOUR! Streaky runs! But Chisoro and Zimbabwe would gladly welcome it. Length ball on middle, it goes off the inside edge and across the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Barry McCarthy to Sikandar Raza. Punched by standing tall, down the ground, to long off. Single taken.

Barry McCarthy to Sikandar Raza. Angling in on middle and leg, worked on the leg side. No run taken.

Barry McCarthy to Sikandar Raza. Nice and straight from McCarthy, full in length, Sikandar Raza offers a straight blade as he pushes it back to the bowler.

Barry McCarthy back on to bowl.

Tim Murtagh to Sikandar Raza. Short ball on the stumps, pulled through mid-wicket for a single.

Tim Murtagh to Sikandar Raza. Served on a length, aiming the top of off stump, played back to the bowler.

Tim Murtagh to Tendai Chisoro. Plays this on the up. It's a length ball which is punched down to long off for a single.

Tim Murtagh to Tendai Chisoro. Angling back in on middle and leg, Chisoro wants to punch this through mid-wicket but gets an inside edge back onto his thigh pads.

Tim Murtagh to Tendai Chisoro. Just ahead of a length, around off, kept out on the off side with soft hands.

Tim Murtagh to Tendai Chisoro. Short of a good length outside off, punched off the back foot to short cover.

Powerplay 3 has been signalled. Maximum of 5 fielders will be allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the end of the innings.

Boyd Rankin to Sikandar Raza. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

Boyd Rankin to Sikandar Raza. Short of a good length outside off, tapped down in front of point. Dot ball.

Boyd Rankin to Sikandar Raza. Well placed by Raza. Didn't overhit it, made the fielder come for the ball. It's a big gap out there in the cover region, so was able to come back for the second. Nicely done.

Boyd Rankin to Sikandar Raza. Brings it closer to the off pole, Raza stays behind the line and remains rock solid in defense.

Boyd Rankin to Sikandar Raza. Short and wide outside off, left alone by Sikandar.

Boyd Rankin to Sikandar Raza. Full and angling in on the pads, flicked through to deep mid-wicket by Raza for a double. Good running.

Tim Murtagh to Tendai Chisoro. Hangs back to a length delivery on middle, punched back to the bowler. It's maiden for Murtagh.

Tim Murtagh to Tendai Chisoro. Angling away on a length, punched firmly but fails to find the gap.

Tim Murtagh to Tendai Chisoro. Drops it on a length on middle and leg, punched towards the man at mid-wicket.

Tim Murtagh to Tendai Chisoro. Good length ball, angling away, steered with an angled bat to point.

Tim Murtagh to Tendai Chisoro. On a back of a length outside off, Tendai punches it towards short cover.

Tim Murtagh to Tendai Chisoro. Length ball outside off, kept out towards the point fielder.

Tim Murtagh to bowl.

Boyd Rankin to Sikandar Raza. Good length ball on off, blocked with the full face of the bat to the left of the bowler.

Boyd Rankin to Sikandar Raza. This length ball is played back down the track to the bowler.

Boyd Rankin to Tendai Chisoro. Length ball aiming the top of off stump, takes the inside edge of Chisoro's bat and rolls past the leg stump. Single taken.

Boyd Rankin to Tendai Chisoro. Full ball angling in from around the wicket, Chisoro takes a big stride forward and blocks.

Boyd Rankin to Tendai Chisoro. Camps deep inside the crease and guards it out watchfully.

Boyd Rankin to Tendai Chisoro. FOUR LEG BYES! On the hips, Chisoro does well to help it on its way fine down the leg side. Off the hips it seems, but the runs are welcome either way. It goes away and across the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Boyd Rankin back into the attack.

Andy McBrine to Tendai Chisoro. Full on middle and leg, driven through mid on for one.

Andy McBrine to Tendai Chisoro. FOUR! That deserved to be punished! Short, wide and outside off, Chisoro has all the time in the world to rock back and smash it through the covers for a boundary.

Andy McBrine to Tendai Chisoro. Looped up on middle and off, Tendai plays a reverse sweep to short third man.

Andy McBrine to Sikandar Raza. The 150 comes up for Zimbabwe! Sikandar Raza goes deep inside his crease and nudges it square on the leg side for a run.

Andy McBrine to Tendai Chisoro. Leans ahead to this full ball and knocks it towards mid off for a single.

Andy McBrine to Tendai Chisoro. Some decent air on this, fuller in length, Chisoro pushes it just wide of short cover.

Kevin O'Brien to Tendai Chisoro. Played to the point region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Kevin O'Brien to Tendai Chisoro. Uses the angle to work it in front of mid-wicket. Another dot ball.

Kevin O'Brien to Tendai Chisoro. Length ball shaping away from outside off, tapped down in front of point. Wants the run but won't get it.

Kevin O'Brien to Tendai Chisoro. Angling back in on off stump, Chisoro moves inside the line and punches it to mid on.

Kevin O'Brien to Tendai Chisoro. Short ball, it's ducked under and evaded.

Kevin O'Brien to Tendai Chisoro. Just ahead of a length outside off, Chisoro gets low to squeeze it out down to third man but misses. The ball goes under his bat.

Andy McBrine to Tendai Chisoro. Fuller in length and outside off, driven back down the ground, just wide of mid off for a brisk single.

Andy McBrine to Tendai Chisoro. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Andy McBrine to Sikandar Raza. Spinning away from outside off, driven to the cover area for an easy single.

Andy McBrine to Tendai Chisoro. Sliding in on leg, goes off the pads of the batsman as he attempts to flick. Leg bye taken.

Andy McBrine to Tendai Chisoro. Prods forward to this tossed up delivery and keeps it out safely.

Andy McBrine to Tendai Chisoro. Around the wicket, it's flighted outside off, pushed into the covers for no run.

Andy McBrine to bowl again.

Kevin O'Brien to Tendai Chisoro. The batsman guides it to third man. They pick up a single.

Kevin O'Brien to Tendai Chisoro. FOUR! BANG! Wasting no time. Full and around off, Chisoro kneels down and murders it straight back over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Kevin O'Brien to Tendai Chisoro. Keeps it tight and close to the off stump, defended solidly.

Kevin O'Brien to Tendai Chisoro. Outside off on a good length, hit straight to the man at point.

Kevin O'Brien to Tendai Chisoro. Length delivery aiming the top of off stump, Chisoro hangs back and blocks it out.

Tendai Chisoro is the next man in to bat.

Kevin O'Brien to Graeme Cremer. OUT! And he strikes instantly on his return. Graeme Cremer is out of here. Fuller in length and it shapes back in, just enough to sneak through the gap between bat and pad. Another wicket down, Ireland celebrate.

Kevin O'Brien returns.

Paul Stirling to Sikandar Raza. Excellent work from the Irish skipper in the deep. Raza his it through the covers again. Seems the ball will race away to the fence again but Porterfield puts in a good dive and save two runs for his side.

Paul Stirling to Sikandar Raza. FOUR! Beautiful! Picked his spot and executed the shot to perfection! Full outside off, Raza goes inside out over covers and finds the fence.

Paul Stirling to Graeme Cremer. Pushed through the gap in the covers for an easy run.

Paul Stirling to Graeme Cremer. Loopy and fullish in length, around off, blocked.

Paul Stirling to Sikandar Raza. Dropped short and wide outside off, Raza can hang back and slap it through to sweeper cover for a single.

Paul Stirling to Sikandar Raza. Floats it up there, just outside off, Raza is forward in defense.

Paul Stirling back on.

Time for some drinks!

Barry McCarthy to Graeme Cremer. Slower ball outside off, Cremer tries to drive but is done in by the lack of pace on the ball.

Barry McCarthy to Graeme Cremer. Hurls it on a back of a length outside off, Cremer looks to cut but gets a bottom edge towards the slip fielder.

Barry McCarthy to Graeme Cremer. Fullish again outside off, a mistimed drive to the cover fielder.

Barry McCarthy to Graeme Cremer. Fuller on the stumps, bunted back to the bowler.

Barry McCarthy to Graeme Cremer. Wide! Fuller ball but too wide outside off to make the batter play. In fact, it crosses the tramline and rightly called as a wide.

Barry McCarthy to Sikandar Raza. Good length delivery outside off, dabbed down to third man for a single.

Barry McCarthy to Sikandar Raza. Very full outside off, driven to mid off.

Andy McBrine to Sikandar Raza. Almost takes it off the stumps. Quicker ball on the stumps, cut away through point to retain strike.

Andy McBrine to Graeme Cremer. Punched off the back foot to long on for a single.

Andy McBrine to Graeme Cremer. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Andy McBrine to Graeme Cremer. Skids off the surface this one, Cremer hangs back to defend but the ball takes the outer edge and rolls safely towards point.

Andy McBrine to Graeme Cremer. Flatter and quicker through the air, stabbed out towards cover.

Andy McBrine to Graeme Cremer. Goes back and turns it with the spin towards square leg.

Barry McCarthy to Sikandar Raza. FOUR! Edgyyy! 10 coming from the last two balls! Good length ball, thrown wider outside off, Raza swings hard at it but the slowness on the ball takes the outside edge and flies down past the keeper for a streaky boundary.

Barry McCarthy to Sikandar Raza. SIX! Boom! Sikandar Raza is the man for Zimbabwe! Gets a short ball, goes deep in the crease and pummels it over deep square leg for half a dozen.

Barry McCarthy to Sikandar Raza. Raza drives this fuller ball towards short cover where Stirling stops and immediately fires a throw at the bowler's end but misses as Cremer dives to get back in.

Barry McCarthy to Graeme Cremer. On the pads, nicely nudged through square leg for a single.

Barry McCarthy to Sikandar Raza. Fuller on off, Raza drives it towards long off for a single.

Barry McCarthy to Sikandar Raza. Fuller delivery, angling in on middle, knocked towards mid on.

Barry McCarthy is back.

Andy McBrine to Graeme Cremer. Slower ball around off, worked towards the mid-wicket fielder.

Andy McBrine to Graeme Cremer. Flatter ball outside off, punched hard back to the bowler.

Andy McBrine to Graeme Cremer. Turning in from outside off, clipped away towards square leg.

Andy McBrine to Graeme Cremer. Goes back and defends it down comfortably.

Andy McBrine to Graeme Cremer. Drops it a bit short on middle and leg, punched to the mid-wicket fielder.

Andy McBrine to Sikandar Raza. Floated delivery around middle and off, worked away down to long on for a single.

Boyd Rankin to Graeme Cremer. Back of a length delivery on middle and off, GC shows a straight bat.

Boyd Rankin to Graeme Cremer. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

Boyd Rankin to Sikandar Raza. Length ball on off, patted through cover for a single.

Boyd Rankin to Graeme Cremer. Back of a length ball on middle, tucked behind square on the leg side for a single to get going.

Boyd Rankin to Graeme Cremer. Fuller ball on off, driven towards mid off.

Boyd Rankin to Graeme Cremer. Good length delivery outside off, the Zimbabwe skipper pokes at it but gets beaten.

Graeme Cremer makes his way out to the middle.

Paul Stirling to Craig Ervine. OUT! Superb from Niall O'Brien. Really good awareness shown and Ireland continue to dominate proceedings. Zimbabwe are just not able to string partnerships and have lost another man in the name of Craig Ervine. Fuller delivery around middle and leg, Craig leans ahead and defends it towards the leg side. He wants a run and so sets off. Niall O'Brien behind the stumps is quick to get to the ball, he takes one glove off and swoops a good flat throw towards the bowler who takes the bails off as the southpaw drags his bat in. Looked out to the naked eye but for obvious reasons it's taken upstairs. The TV umpire takes a lot of time as when the bails are off, the batter has his bat on the line from one angle. But then from the other angle it seems like he's in just at the right time. Too many rock and rolls but the final verdict is OUT on the giant screen.

Really good work from Niall O'Brien. Has he affected a run out here? Seems really close.

Paul Stirling to Sikandar Raza. Gets forward and drives it through cover for a single.

Paul Stirling to Craig Ervine. Loops it up on off, driven down to long off for a single.

Paul Stirling to Sikandar Raza. Fuller ball on off, driven off the outer half past point for a single.

Paul Stirling to Craig Ervine. Darted on middle, driven down to long on for a single.

Paul Stirling to Craig Ervine. Tossed up ball around middle and off, pushed towards the off side.

Paul Stirling is called on to bowl.

Boyd Rankin to Sikandar Raza. Short of a length ball, wider outside off, Raza thinks this as an opportunity to score as he throws his bat at it only to get beaten. A maiden for Rankin.

Boyd Rankin to Sikandar Raza. Shortish ball on middle and off, tucked into the leg side off the back foot.

Boyd Rankin to Sikandar Raza. Stays deep in the crease to defend it out.

Boyd Rankin to Sikandar Raza. Ouch... that must have hurt! On a turtle-kind of pitch this ball zooms in like a cobra and pings Raza on the bottom hand as he looks to defend. He immediately rings his right hand as he looks to be in some pain.

Boyd Rankin to Sikandar Raza. Good length ball outside off, poked towards cover.

Boyd Rankin to Sikandar Raza. Short of a length delivery outside off, Raza hops back and drops his wrists to leave it alone.

Boyd Rankin is back into the attack now.

Andy McBrine to Craig Ervine. SIX! Craig Ervine has given the treatment that it deserved! McBrine drops it short on middle, Craig rocks back and takes him over a journey over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.

Andy McBrine to Sikandar Raza. Driven through cover-point for another single.

Andy McBrine to Craig Ervine. Misfield from the skipper! Ervine works this darted delivery on the stumps to mid on and sets off. William Porterfield charges in towards the ball but takes his eyes off the ball. Concedes one for the blip.

Andy McBrine to Craig Ervine. Tossed up delivery outside off, pushed with an open bat face to the point fielder.

Andy McBrine to Craig Ervine. Too full around off, blocked into the ground.

Andy McBrine to Craig Ervine. FOUR! There was an element of risk involved but Ervine has done well! Flatter delivery outside off, Craig Ervine gets into the position early and reverse sweeps it fine down to third man to raise the 100 up for Zimbabwe.

Kevin O'Brien to Sikandar Raza. Maiden for Kevin! Good work from him. Lands it on a length on middle and off, a water-tight defense from Raza to end the over.

Kevin O'Brien to Sikandar Raza. Decks in from outside off, stabbed out watchfully.

Kevin O'Brien to Sikandar Raza. Sprays it fuller and fires it down leg, SR looks to flick but is a bit late to do so. Gets hit on the pads as the ball rolls towards the mid-wicket fielder.

Kevin O'Brien to Sikandar Raza. Slower ball, angling in on middle, Sikandar bunts it back down the track.

Kevin O'Brien to Sikandar Raza. On a length, closer to off, Raza lifts his bat, has it covered and then makes a good leave.

Kevin O'Brien to Sikandar Raza. Good length delivery outside off, punched into the cover region.

Andy McBrine to Craig Ervine. Slower ball outside off, turning away a bit, Ervine defends it towards cover. Just a single from the over.

Andy McBrine to Craig Ervine. Takes a stride forward and pushes it towards cover.

Andy McBrine to Craig Ervine. Presses forward and kills it into the ground.

Andy McBrine to Craig Ervine. Quicker ball around middle and off, Craig Ervine covers the line and defends.

Andy McBrine to Sikandar Raza. Loopy ball outside off, driven through cover for a single.

Andy McBrine to Sikandar Raza. Fuller around middle and off, defended back to the bowler.

Kevin O'Brien to Craig Ervine. From around the wicket this time, angling in on middle and off, stabbed out.

For all you folks out there, if you remember, Ireland in their group match against the Windies last week were right on top. They had the Windies on the mat at 80-odd for 5 but squandered the chance and let the opposition score over 250. They need to capitalize now, something William Porterfield emphasized on during the toss this morning...

Kevin O'Brien to Craig Ervine. FOUR! Nicely done! Deft as you would call it! Waits for the length ball outside off and just at the right time, Ervine opens the bat face and steers it fine down to third man for a boundary.

Kevin O'Brien to Sikandar Raza. On a length and straightening off the surface and squaring Raza a bit. The batsman hangs his bat out and gets it off the edge down to third man for a single.

Kevin O'Brien to Sikandar Raza. Another one outside off, Sikandar shows a straight blade.

Kevin O'Brien to Sikandar Raza. Gets right behind the line of this harmless length ball and defends it down in front of cover.

Kevin O'Brien to Sikandar Raza. Bowls a cutter outside off, Raza shoulders his arms.

Andy McBrine to Sikandar Raza. Flattish ball on middle, punched down to long on for a single.

Andy McBrine to Craig Ervine. Eased down to long off to rotate strike.

Andy McBrine to Craig Ervine. Full on middle, defended into the ground.

Andy McBrine to Sikandar Raza. Too full on middle, Raza opens his tally by nudging it through mid on.

Sikandar Raza, the man who has to do a lot of work now to bail his side out of this stutter, is the new man in.

Andy McBrine to Brendan Taylor. OUT! LBW! Brendan Taylor leaves his side in some more trouble now. They haven't even crossed the 100-run mark and already half the side is back in the hut. McBrine lands this outside off, this time Taylor opts to play the reverse sweep. It turns back in and raps the batter near the thigh. A huge appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Looked to be going down leg in the replays but nothing that Brendan can do about it. No reviews and it means that he has to continue to walk back.

Andy McBrine to Brendan Taylor. Tossed up on the stumps, swept straight to short fine leg.

Andy McBrine is back. William Porterfield is rotating his bowlers well.

Kevin O'Brien to Brendan Taylor. Helps a short ball down to fine leg for a single.

Kevin O'Brien to Brendan Taylor. On a length and around middle and off, Taylor is happy to sit back and block.

Kevin O'Brien to Brendan Taylor. Leans ahead and pushes it to the cover fielder.

Kevin O'Brien to Brendan Taylor. Dipping full toss on middle and off, Taylor is quick to bring his bat down and dig it out.

Kevin O'Brien to Brendan Taylor. Stays deep and punches it towards cover.

Kevin O'Brien to Brendan Taylor. Back of a length on middle, blocked.

Barry McCarthy to Craig Ervine. Shortish on off, slapped a bit square on the off side and it's enough for them to return back for the second.

Barry McCarthy to Craig Ervine. Fuller ball, sprayed wider on off, driven towards wide mid off.

Barry McCarthy to Craig Ervine. Fuller ball on the stumps, Craig Ervine blocks it out off the front foot gently.

Barry McCarthy to Brendan Taylor. This one comes slowly off the surface, the batter tries to tuck it away but gets it off the inner half behind square on the leg side for one.

Barry McCarthy to Brendan Taylor. Slower ball, landing full on off, Brendan crouches low in his stance and looks to run it down. Gets it off the outer half of the bat towards point.

Barry McCarthy to Brendan Taylor. Delivers it on a fuller length outside off, Taylor leans ahead and drives it nicely but can't find the gap. Straight to the man at cover.

Barry McCarthy is back into the attack.

Kevin O'Brien to Craig Ervine. Digs in a short ball, a well-directed one, Ervine is happy to sit under it.

Kevin O'Brien to Craig Ervine. Comes from around the wicket does Kevin and angles in a fuller ball on middle, stroked straight to the cover fielder.

Kevin O'Brien to Brendan Taylor. Angling one on the pads, Brendan gets across and works it off his pads towards the man at 45 for a single.

Kevin O'Brien to Brendan Taylor. Another one outside off, this time it's a bit too full. Taylor leaves it unharmed.

Kevin O'Brien to Brendan Taylor. In the channel outside off, Brendan has no qualms in shouldering his arms to it.

Kevin O'Brien to Brendan Taylor. Back of a length ball outside off, Taylor gets on top of the bounce and punches it in the gap through cover to get a couple.

Tim Murtagh to Craig Ervine. Hangs back inside the crease, stays behind the line and blocks.

Tim Murtagh to Craig Ervine. Jags back in on middle and leg, catches Ervine high on the thigh pad.

Tim Murtagh to Craig Ervine. Fullish in length and outside off, pushed softly to mid off.

Tim Murtagh to Craig Ervine. Too close for comfort! Murtagh bowls a length delivery around off and it comes back in, Ervine shoulders arms as the ball just goes over the off stump.

Craig Ervine is the next batsman in.

Tim Murtagh to Sean Williams. OUT! Oh, dear. What is Sean Williams doing? The man was there precisely for that. He knows it, the frustration on his face shows it. A disappointing way to be dismissed. Short ball and Williams takes the pull on. Finds Barry McCarthy to perfection at deep square leg who takes a good catch. Ireland's plan works down to the tee, they have the breakthrough they wanted.

Tim Murtagh to Brendan Taylor. Touch short outside off, Brendan wrists away towards mid-wicket for a single.

Drinks are on the field.

Kevin O'Brien to Brendan Taylor. Fuller in length, knocked through mid on, to the man in the deep, for a comfortable run.

Kevin O'Brien to Brendan Taylor. Movement off the seam for Kevin O' Brien. Goes away from Brendan Taylor on a length. He tries to punch it through the covers after taking a step across but fails to make contact.

Kevin O'Brien to Sean Williams. Slaps this short ball with his fast hands and places it to sweeper cover to rotate strike.

Kevin O'Brien to Sean Williams. Around the wicket, length delivery outside off, Williams hangs a straight blade to block it out.

Kevin O'Brien to Brendan Taylor. Sprays it on the pads, nudged behind square on the leg side. One more added to the scoreboard.

Kevin O'Brien to Brendan Taylor. Starts off with a wide delivery outside off, Taylor has nothing to do with that one.

Kevin O' Brien has the ball.

Tim Murtagh to Sean Williams. Full outside off, eased away past the mid off fielder. Two runs taken as the man in the deep mops it up.

Tim Murtagh to Sean Williams. Shortish in length again, defended down on the leg side with soft hands.

Tim Murtagh to Brendan Taylor. Slower short one in length, Taylor almost gets bored waiting for it. But when the ball eventually does come to him, he helps the pull down to fine leg for a single.

Tim Murtagh to Brendan Taylor. Shorter in length again, blocked.

Tim Murtagh to Sean Williams. Short of a good length quite straight in line, fended away easily on the back foot. Single taken.

Tim Murtagh to Sean Williams. Back of a length outside off, kept out safely from the back foot.

Tim Murtagh back on.

Boyd Rankin to Brendan Taylor. The inside edge has saved him there. Fuller on middle, Taylor is hit on the pads on his attempted flick. Lucky that he got an inside edge on that, would have been gone otherwise.

Boyd Rankin to Brendan Taylor. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.

Boyd Rankin to Brendan Taylor. Wide! Angles it way down leg, wide signalled by the umpire.

Boyd Rankin to Brendan Taylor. Full ball angling in on middle stump, Taylor leans forward and across before flicking it away through mid-wicket. Easy two taken.

Boyd Rankin to Brendan Taylor. One more back foot defense. Dot ball.

Boyd Rankin to Brendan Taylor. Served on a length, in the channel outside off, blocked down in front of covers for nothing.

Boyd Rankin to Brendan Taylor. Shorter in length and outside off, pushed away tamely in front of covers.

Andy McBrine to Brendan Taylor. Another one worked away on the leg side. Through square leg and a single is taken.

Andy McBrine to Sean Williams. Slider on leg, Sean hangs back and nudges it through backward square leg to get off strike.

Andy McBrine to Brendan Taylor. Driven down the ground, through mid on and an easy single is taken.

Andy McBrine to Brendan Taylor. Flicked away to mid-wicket, can't beat the fielder there.

Andy McBrine to Brendan Taylor. SIX! Hit as clean as a whistle! Too full, a lot of flight and right in the slot for Brendan Taylor, he leans forward and smokes it straight back down the ground for a maximum.

Andy McBrine to Sean Williams. Turning away from the left-hander after landing on off, cut away square on the off side for one run.

Boyd Rankin to Sean Williams. Short ball into the body, Williams awkwardly fends it away square on the leg side for a quick one. A good one from Rankin, should be doing more of that.

Boyd Rankin to Brendan Taylor. Fraction straight in line, Taylor moves inside the line and tucks it fine down the leg side for a run.

Boyd Rankin to Brendan Taylor. FOUR! Errs in line and pays the price. Rankin darts it full on the pads, a player of Brendan Taylor's quality will put that away all day. Flicks it through square leg and finds the fence.

Boyd Rankin to Brendan Taylor. Good length ball kicking off the surface, watchfully blocked from within the crease.

Boyd Rankin to Brendan Taylor. Short and wide, outside off, an attempted cut shot goes in vain as the ball goes past the outside edge. Some extra bounce was the reason for that.

Boyd Rankin to Brendan Taylor. Full delivery aiming the base of the off stick, Brendan Taylor brings a straight bat down in defense and keeps it out.

Andy McBrine to Sean Williams. Punched away from the back foot a bit square on the off side. Dot ball.

Andy McBrine to Sean Williams. Quicker through the air on off, a tight defense presented in response.

Andy McBrine to Sean Williams. Around the wicket again, it's floated on off, Sean Williams prods forward to meet the ball at its pitch.

Andy McBrine to Brendan Taylor. Around middle and leg, nudged through mid-wicket for a single.

Andy McBrine to Brendan Taylor. Over the wicket to Brendan Taylor, spinning into him from around off, defended down on the leg side.

Andy McBrine to Sean Williams. Comes from around the wicket to Williams, lands it on a shorter length on middle and off, it's punched to wide long off for a run.

Powerplay 2 has been signalled. A maximum of 4 fielders will be allowed outside the ring till the 40th over.

Boyd Rankin to Brendan Taylor. Just ahead of a length on off, blocked out to end the over.

Boyd Rankin to Sean Williams. Williams wastes no time in getting off the mark. Works it through mid-wicket for a single.

Sean Williams to bat now.

Boyd Rankin to Hamilton Masakadza. OUT! GONE! Masakadza is out of here. A half-hearted shot has done him in. Back of a length outside off, Hamilton is in two minds, first tries to feel for it but then attempts to withdraw. Too late though, as a faint edge is drawn and the keeper takes a regulation catch.

Boyd Rankin to Hamilton Masakadza. Stays back and keeps it out in front of cover.

Boyd Rankin to Hamilton Masakadza. Outside off on a good length, left alone for the keeper to collect.

Boyd Rankin to Hamilton Masakadza. Some extra bounce off the surface, on a length outside off, Masakadza defends it out off the back foot.

Andy McBrine to Brendan Taylor. Off break on middle and off, worked with the spin on the leg side. Successful over from the offie comes to an end.

Brendan Taylor is next in to bat.

Andy McBrine to Solomon Mire. OUT! McBrine strikes in his first over! Foxes the batsman beautifully. Solomon Mire skips down the track to play for the turn, but there is none as McBrine bowls the straighter one around off. It goes past the outside edge and it's a simple stumping for Niall O'Brien behind.

Andy McBrine to Solomon Mire. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Andy McBrine to Hamilton Masakadza. Too full in length, so the ball has no time to turn, Hamilton works it down to long on for a single.

Andy McBrine to Hamilton Masakadza. Plays with the spin and turns it towards mid-wicket.

Andy McBrine to Solomon Mire. Nicely tossed up on off, spinning in, Mire hits it powerfully down to long on for a single.

Andy McBrine also introduced into the bowling attack.

Boyd Rankin to Hamilton Masakadza. Works with the angle and works it through mid-wicket for a double.

Boyd Rankin to Hamilton Masakadza. Cutting back in off the deck on a length, a solid block presented in response.

Boyd Rankin to Hamilton Masakadza. Short and wide outside off, cut away behind point. A couple of runs taken as third man moves to his right to cut it off.

Boyd Rankin to Hamilton Masakadza. FOUR! Exquisite shot! Perfect timing. Didn't put any kind of power on that, at all. Full and straight, Masakadza just eases this back down the ground, past mid on to the boundary line.

Boyd Rankin to Hamilton Masakadza. Shortish in length and outside off, Hamilton stands tall and taps it down on the off side.

Boyd Rankin to Hamilton Masakadza. Good length delivery in the off stump channel, left alone for the keeper to collect.

Boyd Rankin into the attack.

Tim Murtagh to Solomon Mire. Just over! Didn't connect well, so he'd consider himself lucky he's not back chilling in the dressing room. Full on the stumps, Mire lofts it off the inner half over mid-wicket. The fielder there leaps to take it, just about misses it. Two runs taken.

Tim Murtagh to Hamilton Masakadza. Punched through the gap in the covers. Easy single.

Tim Murtagh to Hamilton Masakadza. Short of a good length on off, it's kept out rather comfortably on the off side.

Tim Murtagh to Hamilton Masakadza. Strange shot to play to a pacer. Full outside off, Hamilton kneels down and attempts a kind of a paddle sweep. Misses it altogether obviously.

Tim Murtagh to Solomon Mire. Shaping away from outside off, there's a little width on offer so Solomon Mire runs it down to third man for a run.

Tim Murtagh to Hamilton Masakadza. Fraction straight in line, on a good length, Masakadza moves inside the line and pushes it in front of mid on for a quick single.

Barry McCarthy to Solomon Mire. Full and on off, the batsman brings a straight bat down in defense.

Barry McCarthy to Solomon Mire. In the channel outside off, straightening up after pitching, defended down on the track.

Barry McCarthy to Solomon Mire. SIX! BOOM! Doesn't fail to connect well on this one. Banged in short, on off, Solomon Mire quickly shifts back and powers the pull shot over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Barry McCarthy to Solomon Mire. Stays inside the crease to this length delivery and offers a straight bat in defense.

Barry McCarthy to Solomon Mire. Wide! Going down leg, wide called by the umpire.

Barry McCarthy to Solomon Mire. Short ball close to off, Mire pulls but rather horribly. No timing on that as he accidentally places it towards mid on.

Barry McCarthy to Solomon Mire. Yorker fired outside off, Solomon Mire digs it out back down towards mid off.

Tim Murtagh to Hamilton Masakadza. Keeps it on off, full in length, defended out safely to end the over.

Tim Murtagh to Hamilton Masakadza. FOUR! In the air but that's hit too hard! Full and outside off, Hamilton hammers it back past the bowler, and the diving mid off fielder for a boundary.

Tim Murtagh to Hamilton Masakadza. Shout for a leg before, turned down! Right so too, big inside edge on that. Good spot from the umpire. Shimron Hetmyer would have wished he was there on yesterday's game. He was unfortunately given out when in the same situation, the umpire didn't spot the inside edge. Full and straight on middle and off, Masakadza looks to drive but wears it on the pads, off the inside edge though.

Tim Murtagh to Hamilton Masakadza. Solid. It's fullish in length this time, Masakadza leans ahead and meets it with the full face of the bat.

Tim Murtagh to Hamilton Masakadza. On the shorter side of the length once more, a little straighter in line, another tight block from the batsman.

Tim Murtagh to Hamilton Masakadza. Back of a length delivery outside off, Hamilton hangs on his back foot before he blocks it out.

Barry McCarthy to Hamilton Masakadza. That should have been a boundary but the slow outfield prevents that. Masakadza stands tall and crunches this through the covers. Gets three runs for it.

Barry McCarthy to Hamilton Masakadza. Just ahead of a length and attacking the stumps, Masakadza drives it straight to mid on.

Hamilton Masakadza walks in at No. 3.

Barry McCarthy to Cephas Zhuwao. OUT! And the Irish are on their way! It was fun while it lasted, but Cephas Zhuwao departs. Fuller on the stumps, the left-hander looks to go big downtown. Gets a lot of height on it, but not enough distance as Boyd Rankin out in the deep at long on takes a well-judged catch just inside the rope.

Barry McCarthy to Cephas Zhuwao. Short ball hit hard into the deck, the batsman ducks and evades.

Barry McCarthy to Cephas Zhuwao. Another play and a miss. On a length and moving away from around off, Zhuwao has a tame poke at it and misses.

Barry McCarthy to Cephas Zhuwao. Good thinking. McCarthy takes the pace off this as he bowls a cutter around off, Zhuwao plays the expansive cover drive, only to miss the ball completely.

Tim Murtagh to Solomon Mire. Good length delivery just outside off, blocked with the full face of the bat.

Tim Murtagh to Cephas Zhuwao. Nicely done. Short and outside off, he uses the width and punches it past point. The placement is good enough for him to get three runs.

Tim Murtagh to Cephas Zhuwao. SIX! The 'southpaw Hamilton Masakadza', is what Ricky just yelled out next to me. Can't say I disagree either. What a hit! Back of a length on off, Zhuwao rocks back in a flash and muscles this pull over mid-wicket. It's actually out of the stadium as it bounces off the roof.

Tim Murtagh to Solomon Mire. Almost spooned a catch there. Close call. It's cutting back in, on middle and leg, Mire uppishly flicks it just wide of short mid-wicket for a single.

Tim Murtagh to Solomon Mire. Shaping back in on middle and leg, Mire looks to work it on the leg side but is caught on the pads. The ball was always angling down.

Tim Murtagh to Solomon Mire. Fuller length delivery on the fourth stump line, Solomon Mire prods forward and defends it down in front of cover.

Barry McCarthy to Cephas Zhuwao. Drops it on a back of a length outside off, the southpaw rises on the toes and with an angled bat he steers it towards backward point.

Barry McCarthy to Cephas Zhuwao. Outfoxed the batsman completely! Slower ball around off, Zhuwao is ages early to loft this one. The ball sneaks under his bat and rolls on a couple of bounces to the keeper behind.

Barry McCarthy to Cephas Zhuwao. Fires it around leg this time, the batter can't put that away. Wears it on the pads as the ball rolls towards square leg.

Barry McCarthy to Cephas Zhuwao. FOUR! This lad is putting up a show here! Back of a length delivery outside off, not much pace on it, Zhuwao backs away and nails it with a flat-bat over mid off. Off the meat, that.

Barry McCarthy to Cephas Zhuwao. Another one on a similar length, this time close to the off stump, CZ drops his wrists and makes an ugly leave.

Barry McCarthy to Cephas Zhuwao. Good length delivery, angling away on off, Zhuwao is happy to make a leave.

Barry McCarthy to bowl from the other end. A slip for him.

Tim Murtagh to Cephas Zhuwao. Shortish delivery, angling away on off, Zhuwao backs away and pulls it towards wide long on to keep strike. 7 coming from the opening over.

Tim Murtagh to Cephas Zhuwao. Back of a length ball outside off, gets on top of the bounce to punch it towards the cover fielder.

Tim Murtagh to Cephas Zhuwao. Slightly fuller outside off, pushed with soft hands towards the cover fielder.

Tim Murtagh to Cephas Zhuwao. Immediately drags his length back a touch does Murtagh, this time Zhuwao shoulders his arms to it.

Tim Murtagh to Cephas Zhuwao. SIX! That's gone a long way! Zimbabwe are up and running! Meaty blow! Fuller ball and in the zone around off, Zhuwao stands tall and just lofts it down the ground. Clean strike as the ball sails over the long on fence.

Tim Murtagh to Cephas Zhuwao. Starts off from over the wicket and hurls a fuller length delivery on middle and off, blocked solidly back towards the bowler.

Ready to begin now as the Zimbabwe openers and the Irish team make their way out in the middle. Solomon Mire and Cephas Zhuwao will open the innings for the hosts, while Tim Murtagh will take the new ball first up. Two slips in place. Here we go...

The players are making their way out for the national anthems. Ireland will sing first followed by Zimbabwe.

Ireland XI - William Porterfield(c), Paul Stirling, Ed Joyce, Andrew Balbirnie, Kevin O Brien, Niall O Brien(w), Gary Wilson, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Boyd Rankin, Tim Murtagh.

Zimbabwe XI - Cephas Zhuwawo, Solomon Mire, Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor(w), Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Graeme Cremer(c), Tendai Chisoro, Kyle Jarvis, Blessing Muzarabani.

Pitch Report - Deep Dasgupta says the pitch looks a bit wet and has a bit of moisture in it. Feels the average score here is 230-240 but with the sun out it should dry up the surface and hence anything around 260 would be a par score.

Zimbabwe skipper, Graeme Cremer calls the wicket a bit tacky. Adds the toss isn't in anyone's control and that they aren't too upset to bat first today. Thanks the crowd for coming out in numbers and supporting them. Is really grateful for that and hopes they return the favor to them by playing good cricket. Informs Kyle Jarvis comes in for Tendai Chatara.

Ireland skipper, William Porterfield feels there is a bit of moisture in the pitch and expects some bounce off the surface and hence the decision to bowl first. States they have played some good cricket and it's just about capitalizing on key moments.

TOSS - Ireland win the toss and opt to field!

Hello, folks! Welcome for this tie between Zimbabwe and Ireland in the Super Sixes. It's a beautiful morning in Harare, and unlike yesterday, where the seats where relatively empty, today, there's a sizeable difference as the home side will be in action. It should make for an amazing atmosphere. A win today would mean a lot for the two teams in question. Zimbabwe would enter the top two at least, while Ireland too would move a place or two up the ladder, depending on the result. Should be a good contest. Stay tuned for the toss and the team news.