Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
The last match of Ireland’s tour of Zimbabwe will be played under floodlights at Harare Sports Club this evening as the hosts look to script a happy ending to this burgeoning cricket rivalry.
The match is scheduled to start at 6:30pm.
Barring adverse weather conditions, the third Twenty20 International should provide a befitting finale for the enthusiastic home cricket fans.
The supporters left the stadium in a celebratory mood on Sunday after the Chevrons sneaked home to an unlikely victory and took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Interestingly, Zimbabwe hosted Ireland for their first-ever international match under the lights at Harare Sports Club in December 2023.
That series saw the Chevrons clinch a 2-1 victory, marking their last series win until now.
Zimbabwe have since faced a series of droughts in T20I, but their recent performance against Ireland in the One Day Internationals hints at renewed faith and determination.
The Chevrons recently ended a two-year ODI series jinx when they edged the visitors 2-1 at the same venue.
Historically, clashes between Zimbabwe and Ireland are known for their intensity and closely contested out-comes.
Statistics reveal an evenly matched rivalry, with each team winning eight out of their 17 T20I encounters since 2014.
There has been only one no result, following the abandonment on Saturday of the first T20I because of rain.
But on Sunday, middle-order batsman Tony Munyonga was the toast of the Zimbabwean team after he turned the game on its head to give the hosts a hard-fought win from a difficult position.
Just as many were tempted to give up hope as the Chevrons continued to lose wickets chasing Ireland’s 137/8, Munyonga ensured the home team crossed the line with his resolute batting.
His unbeaten 43 runs from just 30 balls won him the Man of the Match, after Zimbabwe finished 141/7 and claimed a three-wicket win.
Munyonga looked unfazed despite the top-order batting challenges that haunted players from both sides, with Ireland bowlers looking threatening after claiming a couple of wickets.
The 26-year-old right-hander kept the home team in the hunt after featuring in partnerships with Sikandar Raza, Wellington Masakadza, and then a crucial 29-run partnership with Richard Ngarava, who made an important cameo with his 12 runs off seven deliveries.
“We sort of liked to put ourselves in a position where we just needed to keep on batting and get the team over the line,” said Munyonga.
“Obviously, that’s the end goal, but being in the process and enjoying the moment as well. I think that was the most important thing that we talked about (in the middle).”
Zimbabwe would need to work more on their top order, which has not done justice in the two innings of this series.
Zimbabwe lost their top three wickets inside the opening four overs, with Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brian Bennett, and Wessly Madhevere departing for single-digit scores in the last match and piled the pressure on the middle order.
The top-order batters know they owe the team some runs and would need to make amends if they get the thumbs up to start.
Skipper Raza and Ryan Burl held the innings together in the middle overs with a 48-run partnership. But then most of the work was left for the lower middle order, where Munyonga demonstrated composure and the zeal to win. Skipper Raza is tipping Munyonga to continue with his form.
“I’m just really happy for Tony (Munyonga) as well. He’s gone back to domestic cricket.
“He was one of the leading run scorers in the List A competition as well, and so I’m really, really happy for him, and for him to be awarded the Man of the Match is, I think, I’m a lot happier for him than he is for himself as well.
“And hopefully, this is the start of many more Man of the Matches to come for him.
“We know we can hit a long ball as well. Sometimes you need luck, and we have that, but I thought Tony was a lot calmer, and he hit those gaps and hit those pockets, and he ran really well.
“So, that was a credit to those two as well.”
