Zimbabwe won a Twenty20 series against Ireland 1-0 in Harare on Tuesday after rain forced a shortened final match of three to be abandoned with no result.

There was also no result due to rain in the first match last Saturday and Zimbabwe won by three wickets the following day in the only fixture to be completed.

Zimbabwe posted 142-6 in the final tour fixture after pre-match rain forced a 50-minute delay. The rain returned after their innings, preventing Ireland from batting.

"I think it would have been a good game. Zimbabwe crept to an above-par score, and it would have been a really good chase," said Ireland captain Paul Stirling.

Rain has forced the abandonment of the third and final match between Zimbabwe and Ireland.

The hosts win the three-match series 1-0.#ZIMvIRE #Travel&ExperienceZimbabwe 📝: https://t.co/a7PRdGZ9j4 pic.twitter.com/bdsJ1UsJko

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) February 25, 2025

Captain Sikandar Raza top scored for Zimbabwe with his 34-run knock including two sixes and two fours in a match reduced to 18 overs a side by the weather.

Tony Munyonga, whose unbeaten 43 was instrumental in the victory on Sunday, and undefeated Tashinga Musekiwa contributed 26 runs each.

Spinner Gareth Delany (2-5) and fast medium pacer Craig Young (2-38) did best among the Irish bowlers.

The success completed a white-ball double for Zimbabwe, who won a one-day international series 2-1 in Harare.

Ireland began the all-format tour with a 63-run win in a one-off test in Bulawayo.

An unbeaten 43 from Tony Munyonga steered Zimbabwe to a three-wicket victory over Ireland on Sunday, and a 1-0 lead with one match remaining of a Twenty20 series in Harare.

Ireland posted 137-8 in an innings temporarily delayed by rain with Lorcan Tucker (46) and Harry Tector (28) adding 53 runs for the second wicket after opener Paul Stirling was out for one.

Zimbabwe reached 141-7 in reply with four balls to spare. The third and final match is set for Tuesday after the first on Saturday was abandoned due to rain.

"I'm really happy for Tony (Munyonga). He is one of our leading scorers in domestic cricket and I'm delighted that he was judged man of the match," said Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza.

"I hope this is the first of many outstanding performances from him. He was calm, found the gaps and ran well."

Ireland captain Stirling said: "We did not finish our innings well. Then there was a great knock by the player of the match (Munyonga).

"Craig (Young) is one of our stalwarts. He missed the ODI series due to a little niggle so we are glad to have him back."

Zimbabwe win the second T20I by 3 wickets, to take a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series#ZIMvIRE #Travel&ExperienceZimbabwe 📝:https://t.co/WMPbswUAu0 pic.twitter.com/KzvrIK3QNQ

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) February 23, 2025

Curtis Campher (26) was the only other Irish batsman to reach double figures after they lost the toss, with their last five wickets falling for 36 runs.

Medium pacer Trevor Gwandu took three wickets and offspinner Raza and fast medium pacer Richard Ngarava two each for the hosts.

Tucker, who struck a six and three fours off 40 balls, fell when he got a leading edge to a short-pitched Gwandu delivery and Brian Bennett took the catch at deep fine leg.

Tector, whose knock included four fours, departed earlier when he mistimed an attempted sweep off Raza and Wessly Madhevere darted forward to catch the ball.

Zimbabwe began disastrously in reply with fast medium pacer Young (4-24) taking the wickets of Bennett (8), Tadiwanashe Marumani (1) and Madhevere (1) to leave the hosts reeling at 14-3.

Ryan Burl (27) and Raza (22) came to the rescue with a 48-run fourth-wicket partnership before both departed within six balls, and Zimbabwe were 64-5 midway through the innings.

A big innings was needed and Munyonga rose to the occasion, striking five fours in a 30-ball stand.

The only disappointment for the 26-year-old was falling two runs short of a career best Twenty20 international knock.

Brief scores

Ireland 137-8 (L. Tucker 46, H. Tector 28; T. Gwandu 3-28) v Zimbabwe 141-7 (T. Munyonga 43 not out, R. Burl 27; C. Young 4-24)

Result: Zimbabwe won by three wickets

Series: Zimbabwe lead 1-0 after second match of three. Final match on Tuesday. First match on Saturday abandoned due to rain.

Captain Paul Stirling, Mark Adair and Curtis Campher played pivotal roles as Ireland beat Zimbabwe by six wickets on Sunday to level a one-day international series with one match left.

Put in to bat, the hosts made 245 in 49 overs, thanks largely to a fourth-wicket partnership between Wessly Madhevere (61) and Sikandar Raza (58) at Harare Sports Club.

Seamer Adair (4-54) and quick Campher (3-13) excelled with the ball, with the latter taking his three wickets off six deliveries.

After the early loss of opener Andy Balbirnie (11), Stirling (89) and Campher (63) put on 144 runs for the second wicket to steer the tourists toward a convincing victory.

Yep, that will do it. Brilliant, lads!
👏👏👏

SCORE: https://t.co/IajZ3zeJfM#BackingGreen @FailteSolar ☘️🏏 pic.twitter.com/4e9M4LIOTJ

— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) February 16, 2025

A four from Lorcan Tucker from the fourth ball of the penultimate over sealed victory for the visitors, who began an all-format tour with a 63-run win in a one-off test.

The Zimbabwe bowlers struggled with medium-pacer Trevor Gwandu (2-50) producing the best figures.

The teams meet again on Tuesday in the third and final ODI with all to play for after Zimbabwe won the first match by 49 runs on Friday.

"We were the better team. Wessly and Sikandar batted well, then Curtis struck some decisive blows," said Stirling.

"Restricting Zimbabwe to 245 boosted our morale as that was a target we could chase. Matches come thick and fast these days and now we must prepare for the decider."

Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine (4) said: "We need about 280 to be competitive. Losing three wickets in quick succession was a huge setback.

"More early wickets could have produced a different outcome, but the partnership between Paul and Curtis set it up for them."

Struggling with cramps, Stirling had to settle for a 31st ODI half-century after a miscued pull shot off Richard Ngarava took a leading edge and Madhevere made a catch at extra cover.

His departure after a 102-ball stand that included two sixes and eight fours left Ireland 200-4, and unbeaten knocks from Tucker (36) and George Dockrell (20) completed the task.

Earlier, Campher claimed a seventh half century before being trapped leg before by Gwandu attempting a pull shot.

Zimbabwe opener Brian Bennett, who struck 169 in the first ODI, could only make 30 and his team were 77-3 when Madhevere and Raza came together.

Madhevere fell leg before to a Campher delivery aimed at off stump, and a spectacular low catch at deep mid wicket from Hector Tector sent Raza to the pavilion.

Brian Bennett struck a one-day international best 169 as Zimbabwe defeated Ireland by 49 runs in Harare on Friday in the first of three matches.

The 21-year-old opener and 39-year-old captain Craig Ervine (66) played key roles as the home side posted 299 for five in 50 overs.

A 73-run mid-innings partnership between George Dockrell (32) and Andy McBrine (34) offered hope to the tourists, but both fell within four balls and Ireland were all out for 250 in 46 overs.

Dockrell and McBrine were dispatched by Blessing Muzarabani, whose 4 for 51 were the best figures among the Zimbabwe bowlers.

Bennett, whose previous best ODI knock was 37, said: "I was lucky to get a chance to open and lucky that things went in my favour.

"I enjoy the new ball in white-ball cricket. There had been some talk about me opening. It was a tricky start, but the pitch was good. Not much swing and not much in the deck."

Maiden ODI century 💯

Take a bow, Brian Bennett 👏#ZIMvIRE #Travel&ExperienceZimbabwe 📝: https://t.co/Sfp3x6dTn0 pic.twitter.com/s7vuJMYmvj

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) February 14, 2025

Ervine said: "Benny (Bennett) batted extremely well, with perfect tempo. You have to capitalise on your chances, and he did.

"Openers performing well is crucial because it allows other batters to play with freedom. The surface played reasonably well throughout, although it was a little slow early on."

Ireland captain Paul Stirling said: "Congratulations to Brian for an outstanding knock. We gave him a chance or two, and he punished us. We were rusty when we should not have been.

'SQUEEZE'

"The wicket was as good as it gets at Harare Sports Club. The squeeze was put on us between overs 30 and 40 in both innings.

"We bat deep and you want to give yourselves a chance. We gave up a couple. Hopefully we come through next time."

Bennett eventually departed off the second ball of the final over. He mistimed an attempted big shot off Mark Adair (2-55) and was caught at deep extra cover by Andy Balbirnie.

He faced 163 deliveries in a 216-minute innings in the Zimbabwe capital that included 20 fours and three sixes.

Brian Bennett writes himself into the record books with a blistering 169 off 163. For that, he is the #ZIMvIRE first ODI Player of the Match.#ZIMvIRE #Travel&ExperienceZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/kZTWCRZNeh

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) February 14, 2025

Ervine hit four sixes and three fours in a 136-run second-wicket partnership with Bennett. It proved crucial as Zimbabwe won for the seventh time in 12 ODIs against Ireland in Harare.

ODI half-century number 2⃣2⃣ for the captain Craig Ervine 👏#ZIMvIRE #Travel&ExperienceZimbabwe 📝: https://t.co/Sfp3x6dTn0 pic.twitter.com/bbCWIxqdYB

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) February 14, 2025

Replying, Ireland suffered a mid-innings collapse with Lorcan Tucker (31), Harry Tector (39) and Adair (2) sent to the pavilion in quick succession.

Dockrell and McBrine then threatened to win the match for the Irish before Muzarabani struck, leaving the visitors 247 for eight. Matthew Humphreys (0) and Josh Little (1) then fell cheaply.

The teams meet again on Sunday and Tuesday before a three-match Twenty20 series. The tour began with Ireland winning a one-off test by 63 runs.

Captain Andy Balbirnie was unbeaten on 32 as Ireland took a 76-run lead over Zimbabwe after the second day of an intriguing one-off test in Bulawayo on Friday.

The tourists were all out for 260 in their first innings and reached 83-1 by the close on the second day at Queens Sports Club.

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟮: 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗺𝗽𝘀

Ireland lead by 76 runs with 9 wickets remaining.

Match Details 📝 https://t.co/cFeAdwjf35#ZIMvIRE #VisitZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/OCZ6JIFDwh

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) February 7, 2025

Earlier, a heroic 67-run last-wicket stand between Blessing Muzarabani and Trevor Gwandu helped Zimbabwe make 267 all out, and build a seven-run first-innings lead.

Ireland had looked set to create a healthy lead after reducing the hosts to 200 for nine on day two.

But the brave last-wicket partnership, and 90 runs from test debutant Nick Welch boosted Zimbabwean hopes of a first test victory since defeating Afghanistan four years ago.

Muzarabani, who took seven wickets on Thursday, stole the limelight again, this time with the bat as he contributed a test-best 47, including six fours.

The innings ended when Muzarabani was caught out by the pace of a delivery from spinner Matthew Humphreys, which uprooted the middle and leg stumps.

Fellow tail-ender Gwandu proved a patient partner and was unbeaten on 18 having faced 79 balls in the southwestern city.

The brave stand between Muzarabani and Gwandu came after a dream debut by Welch, whose 173-ball knock included a six and nine fours.

Welch departed after a spectacular catch at deep midwicket by Harry Tector off a Mark Adair delivery.

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟮 - 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟮: Agony for Nick Welch! He misses out on a maiden Test century 😢

He departs for 90#ZIMvIRE #VisitZimbabwe 📝 https://t.co/RK3TkqakgJ pic.twitter.com/Mnygn8cwPi

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) February 7, 2025

Before the last-wicket heroics, the only notable Zimbabwe partnership on Friday was 46 runs from Welch and Wessly Madhevere for the fourth wicket.

Quick Barry McCarthy was the most successful Irish bowler, taking 4-75. His victims included openers Takudzwanashe Kaitano (26) and Ben Curran (12).

---

IRELAND: Andrew Balbirnie (c), Andrew Mcbrine, Barry Mccarthy, Craig Young, Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Mark Adair, Matthew Humphreys, Paul Stirling, Peter Moor

ZIMBABWE: Ben Curran, Blessing Muzarabani, Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell (c), Newman Nyamhuri, Nicholas Welch, Nyasha Mayavo (wk), Richard Ngarava, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Trevor Gwandu, Wesley Madhevere

Andy McBrine struck a test best 90 not out as Ireland recovered from a dismal start to post 260 all out on Thursday on the first day of a one-off match against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.

With Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani in superb form, the tourists, who won the toss and chose to bat first at the Queens Sports Club, were reeling at 31 for five when McBrine joined Lorcan Tucker.

After seeing off Muzarabani, who took four of the first five including captain Andy Balbirnie (9) and star batsman Paul Stirling (10) and finished with 7-58, they stabilised the innings with a sixth-wicket partnership of 51.

Blessing Muzarabani's first-innings bowling figures. #ZIMvIRE #VisitZimbabwe 📝 https://t.co/RK3TkqakgJ pic.twitter.com/ZLlFnvFNmx

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) February 6, 2025

When Tucker was bowled off an inside edge by Trevor Gwandu for 33, McBrine knuckled down again with Mark Adair to add 127 for the seventh wicket.

Adair took the fight to the Zimbabwe bowlers, reaching his 50 from 48 balls.

He clubbed 13 fours in his 78 before getting an outside edge to a Muzarabani delivery that flew to wicketkeeper Nyasha Mayavo.

McBrine, whose previous best test innings was an unbeaten 86, hit 12 fours off 132 balls before running out of partners and Ireland were all out in 56.4 overs.

Zimbabwe suffered two pre-match blows with Sean Williams absent through injury and skipper Craig Ervine withdrawing for the birth of his child.

Test debutant Johnathan Campbell replaced Ervine as captain while Wesley Madhevere, who was not in the squad, was also called into the XI.

Stumps on Day 1 at Queens Sports Club 🏏

A good day for the hosts!

Match Details 📝 https://t.co/RK3TkqakgJ#ZIMvIRE #VisitZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/XlA03DZeFk

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) February 6, 2025