![Ireland was clinical with the ball. [Image: Getty]](https://www.womenscricinsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/GEIhcXyXEAA-d0F-1200x801-1.jpg "Ireland was clinical with the ball. [Image: Getty]")
Ireland swept the three-match ODI series 2-0 against and continued the rich vein of form in the 1st T20I. Registering a scintillating 57-run win at the Harare Sports Club, Ireland got off to the perfect start courtesy of a century by Amy Hunter with Gaby Lewis also chipping in with a crucial 56.
In return, Zimbabwe could muster only 134/5 in their 20 overs as Ireland backed up their batting performance with an even better showing with the ball as Alana Dalzell and Georgina Dempsey struck with two wickets to their name.
![The skippers ahead of the T20I series. [Image: Cricket Ireland]](https://www.womenscricinsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/GEw2PpTXsAAG48M.jpeg "ZIM vs IRE: Ireland’s Sustained Dominance Ensures A 57-run Drubbing Of Zimbabwe In The 1st T20I 1")
Zimbabwe only got their first breakthrough in the 16th over when Nyasha Celeb Gwanzura got the prized wicket of Gaby Lewis for 56 but with Amy Hunter having plundered the bowing en route a well-crafted 100; Ireland was well on their way to a big score.
And here's the moment Amy scored her century ⬇️#BackingGreen ☘️🏏 #FuelledByCerta pic.twitter.com/HOzFKW0Nhp
— Ireland Women’s Cricket (@IrishWomensCric) January 26, 2024
Orla Prendergast’s quickfire 13 off 9 was critical to Ireland’s prospects and with Rebecca Stokell’s 5 and Amy Hunter finally ending up with 101 off 66 balls, a knock laced with 13 boundaries, the Irish side ended up with 191/3 with 14 extras aiding the cause. Zimbabwe would want to forget their bowling performance with almost all the bowlers’ bowling spells in excess of an economy of 6+, yet Kudzai Chigora scalped two wickets to cap off that bowling effort.
In the run-chase that followed, Kellies Ndlovu and skipper Mary-Anne Musonda ensured a brisk and strong start to the proceedings. Ndlovu in her cameo of 20 hit boundaries at will but with Alana Dalzell getting rid of her, Zimbabwe was jolted. In a span of a couple of overs, Pellagia Mujaji was undone for 6.
Even as Chiedza Dhururu and the skipper stitched a crucial partnership, the asking rate was climbing. The dot ball pressure and the deficit in boundaries was beginning to be a problem. However, once the skipper was dismissed for 46, the cracks of a collapse began to appear as Zimbabwe was reeling at 96/3 in 14.5 overs.
The wicketkeeper batter Dhururu tried to keep the boat afloat but her dismissal in the 17th over signalled the demise of the recognised batters in the set-up as Loreen Tshuma was out for 4 and with the tailenders Nyasha Caleb Gwanzura and Precious Marange ending on similar knocks of 12, Zimbabwe had slipped to a 57 run loss, conceding a 0-1 advantage to Ireland in the five-match T20I series. Ireland had Alana Dalzell, Georgia Dempsey and Cara Murray excel with the ball ensuring a comprehensive win!
And there it is!
A fantastic performance all round.
We take the win by 57 runs, and take a 1-0 series lead.
Well done all 👏👏
SCORECARD: https://t.co/jplhfyNyfi#BackingGreen ☘️🏏 #FuelledByCerta pic.twitter.com/e7hp5SqXSe
— Ireland Women’s Cricket (@IrishWomensCric) January 26, 2024
Brief Scores: Zimbabwe vs Ireland 1st T20I
Ireland: 191/3 in 20 overs (Amy Hunter 101*, Gaby Lewis 56, Orla Prendergast 13; Kudzai Chigora 2/46) beat Zimbabwe: 134/5 in 20 overs (Mary-Anne Musonda 46, Chiedza Dhururu 22, Kellies Ndlovu 20; Alana Dalzell 2/20, Georgia Dempsey 2/25, Cara Murray 1/28) by 57 runs.
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