Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo
TONY Munyonga’s brilliant knock powered the Chevrons to a thrilling three-wicket win in the second T20I against Ireland at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
The 26-year-old, making a return to the national set-up, ensured his opportunity counted with an unbeaten 43 which saw Zimbabwe successfully chase down the Irish total.
The Chevrons had been written off early on in their chase and the match ended in a tense finish, with Zimbabwe needing 13 runs off the last two overs.
Richard Ngarava was crucial in the penultimate over, smacking the first ball for four runs, and following up with another four off the third delivery.
Three singles brought the Chevrons to within two runs of victory.
With Ngarava facing the first ball of the final over, he took a single, leaving Munyonga to seal the win with a brilliant cover drive for four.
Munyonga’s innings came off just 30 balls, with a strike rate of 143.33, and his heroics handed Zimbabwe a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, putting them one step away from claiming the trophy.
The series opener on Saturday was abandoned due to rain.
Yesterday, Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to field first. They restricted Ireland to 137/8 in their 20 overs before reaching 141/7 with four balls to spare.
Ngarava gave Zimbabwe a brilliant start with the ball, dismissing Paul Stirling for just one run in the first over.
A 53-run partnership between Lorcan Tucker and Harry Tector followed, but Zimbabwe broke the stand with Tector’s dismissal for 28 off 20 balls, courtesy of Sikandar Raza.
Tucker, who was caught for 46 off 40 balls, fell just short of his half-century.
Curtis Campher also reached double figures, contributing 26 runs off 25 balls.
Trevor Gwandu was the pick of the Zimbabwean bowlers, finishing with impressive figures of 3/24 from his four overs.
Raza claimed two wickets for 22 runs while Ngarava registered figures of 2/38.
Blessing Muzarabani picked up the other wicket, finishing with 1/21 from his four-over spell.
The Chevrons were reduced to 14/3 in just four overs, with Young claiming three wickets.
However, Raza and Ryan Burl stabilised the innings with a 48-run fourth-wicket partnership before Burl was caught for 27.
Raza was dismissed shortly after for 22 and when Tashinga Musekiwa fell, Zimbabwe were in dire straits.
Munyonga and Ngarava fought back, adding a crucial 29 runs for the eighth wicket.
The series decider is scheduled for tomorrow at the same venue.
