![The victorious Ireland side. [Image: Cricket Ireland]](https://www.womenscricinsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/GFW8FX-XkAAifWf.jpeg "The victorious Irish side. [Image: Cricket Ireland]")
Ireland could not have asked for a better finish to their tour to Zimbabwe as they registered a clinical 14-run win against the hosts in the last and final T20 international at the Harare Sports Club. Batting first, Ireland posted 138-7 in their 20 overs with Gaby Lewis scoring 42 and Orla Prendergast supporting with a 34-ball knock of 42.
Zimbabwe had Kellies Ndlovu, Nomvelo Sibanda and Precious Marange among the wickets. In return, Zimbabwe got close to the target as Mary-Anne Musonda, Kellies Ndlovu and Mitchel Mavunga strung up crucial scores in the pursuit of the total yet they fell short.
Earlier, Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bowl first. Ireland was off to a tricky start losing opener Amy Hunter for 1. It was then the partnership of Gaby Lewis and Orla Prendergast that came in handy and offered much-needed resistance to the batting. Not only did they bail the team out of trouble in the powerplay but also ensured that the run flow was coming.
Seven overs gone.
We lost Amy early on, but Gaby and OP are out in the middle and settling in well.
SCORECARD: https://t.co/jplhfyNyfi
WATCH: https://t.co/EHvAIbE47p#BackingGreen ☘️🏏 #FuelledByCerta pic.twitter.com/tQXgMiqoT1— Ireland Women’s Cricket (@IrishWomensCric) February 2, 2024
While Lewis perished for a well-played 42. Orla Prendergast kept up the momentum and was lent the much-needed support from the other end that had Laura Delany score some crucial runs. However, their dismissals saw a domino effect of wickets falling as the match slipped in favour of Zimbabwe who restricted Ireland to 138-7.
Their bowling was top notch with Kellies Ndlovu scalp three wickets with Nomvelo Sibanda and Precious Marange scalp two wickets apiece to set up the match for an interesting finish.
Our innings ends on 138-7.
Gaby Lewis and Orla Prendergast finishing on 42.
Our bowlers are up next 👊
SCORECARD: https://t.co/jplhfyNyfi
WATCH: https://t.co/EHvAIbE47p#BackingGreen ☘️🏏 #FuelledByCerta pic.twitter.com/c9BG7brH83— Ireland Women’s Cricket (@IrishWomensCric) February 2, 2024
In the subsequent run-chase, Kellies Ndlovu and skipper Mary-Anne Musonda gave the finest possible start to keep the hope alive for a win. While the skipper played the role of an aggressor accumulating boundaries, the partnership of 77 forged by the duo was imperative. However, the fairytale did not last long as Leah Paul got the first breakthrough dismissing Ndlovu and in a span of three overs, the skipper was dismissed by Orla Prendergast.
BOOM!
OP removes former Scorchers star Mary-Anne Musonda (52).
Zimbabwe still require 40 off 33 balls for victory.
SCORECARD: https://t.co/jplhfyNyfi
WATCH: https://t.co/EHvAIbE47p#BackingGreen ☘️🏏 #FuelledByCerta pic.twitter.com/PMA135Db4i— Ireland Women’s Cricket (@IrishWomensCric) February 2, 2024
With almost no resistance shown by the rest of the batting, as Pellagia Mujaji, Cheidza Dhururu, Loreen Tshuma, Beloved Biza and Precious Marange fell cheaply for single-digit scores, a comeback was far from impossible. Even as Mitchel Mavunga held one end with a score of 12, the final two wickets signalled the demise of the run-chase as Zimbabwe slipped to 124/8 falling short by 14 runs. Ireland had Orla Prendergast and Laura Delany each scalp three wickets and were instrumental in charting Ireland’s win.
This win meant Ireland, the visitors clean-swept and whitewashed Zimbabwe 5-0 in the five-match T20I series and ended the series on a high. Amy Hunter for her scintillating batting was adjudged ‘Player of the Series’.
As we ✈️ home, thanks to our supporters. 🙏#BackingGreen #FuelledByCerta pic.twitter.com/HlRxisY8UL
— Ireland Women’s Cricket (@IrishWomensCric) February 3, 2024
Brief Scores: Zimbabwe vs Ireland 5th T20I
IRE- 138-7 in 20 overs (Gaby Lewis 42, Orla Prendergast 42, Laura Delany 18; Kellies Ndlovu 3/20, Nomvelo Sibanda 2/11, Precious Marange 2/27) defeated ZIM- 124/8 in 20 overs (Mary-Anne Musonda 52, Kellies Ndlovu 32, Mitchel Mavunga 12*; Laura Delany 3/17, Orla Prendergast 3/24) by 14 runs.
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