Zimbabwe vs Ireland: On Thursday, January 18, 2024, Zimbabwe will lock horns with Ireland in the 1st fixture of the three-match ODI series at the Harare Sports Club in Harare. The hosts will be eager to impose their domination right from the start of the series. Whereas, the visitors will be focused on getting victory in the first encounter and setting the tone for upcoming clashes.
Zimbabwe will be anxious to bounce back from their recent series loss against Thailand. They lost the series 0-3. In the last match, Zimbabwe got dismissed on 112 runs in 39 overs and Thailand successfully chased the set target in 27 overs with losing four wickets. Loreen Tshuma and Christabel Chatonzwa’s all-round performances were notable but were not enough to secure a win. The hosts will look to improve their batting and take an early lead in the series.
On the other hand, Ireland are coming off a series win against Scotland, where they clinched the series 2-1. In the previous match, Ireland set a challenging target of 239 runs for Scotland. Leah Paul and Arlene Kelly’s all-round performances played a pivotal role in registering the victory. Cara Murray’s notable contribution of three wickets helped restrict Scotland to 206 runs. The visitors will aim to continue their winning momentum and their dominance over Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe vs Ireland, 1st ODI – Match Details
Date and Time: 18 January 2024, Thursday, 12:45 PM IST
Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare
Live Streaming: There will be no live telecast of the match. However, fans can get the live-stream link for the game on the social media pages of Zimbabwe and Ireland cricket.
Zimbabwe vs Ireland, 1st ODI – Pitch Report
The surface at this venue typically provides a favourable setting for batters during the initial phases of the game. The pitch is also expected to be an advantage for the pacers. The team winning the toss might prefer to chase on this surface, adding an extra layer of strategic planning.
Zimbabwe vs Ireland, 1st ODI – Weather Report
The weather forecast for this fixture is expected to be cloudy with chances of rain during the game. The temperature is likely to be around 17-degree Celsius with 83% humidity. There is moderate rain expected which may affect playing conditions.
Zimbabwe vs Ireland, 1st ODI – Probable Playing XIs
Zimbabwe: Chiedza Dhururu(wk), Mary Musondo(c), Ashley Ndiraya, Chipo Tiripano, Nyasha Gwanzura, Kellies Ndlovu, Loren Tshuma, Precious Marange, Francesca Chipare, Audrey Mazvishaya, Nomvelo Sibanda
Ireland: Amy Hunter(wk), Gaby Lewis, Leah Paul, Laura Delany(c), Orla Prendergast, Arlene Kelly, Georgina Dempsey, Cara Murray, Ava Canning, Jane Maguire, Freya Sargent.
Zimbabwe vs Ireland, 1st ODI – Head-to-Head Records
Ireland is heading with a historical edge in this game, having dominated in recent years with a head-to-head record of 3-1 against Zimbabwe. The last time these two sides faced each other, Ireland emerged victorious by a convincing margin.
Prediction: Ireland to win the match.
Zimbabwe vs Ireland, 1st ODI – Key Players
Zimbabwe
- Mary Anne-Musonda: She is the second leading run scorer for Zimbabwe with 192 runs in the format. As a skipper, she will be looking for a good start and will aim to contribute for the team by leading from the front.
- Kellies Ndlovu: Ndlovu’s dual skills as a batter and bowler make her a versatile player. She has an impressive tally of 10 wickets in ODI matches. She is Zimbabwe’s leading wicket-taker. Her role will be very crucial in this match.
Ireland
- Gaby Lewis: She stands out as a prolific top-order batter, amassing an impressive total of 1106 runs in ODI. Lewis’s ability to anchor the innings makes her a key player for Ireland.
- Laura Delany: Her experience and all-round abilities add depth to the team. She has scored 1115 runs and claimed 25 wickets in ODI matches. Delany is a crucial component of Ireland’s squad and is an important player to watch out for against Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe vs Ireland, 1st ODI – Dream 11 Prediction
Wicket-Keeper: Amy Hunter (vc)
Batters: Mary-Anne Musonda, Gaby Lewis, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast
All-rounders: Laura Delany(c), Arlene Kelly, Kellies Ndlovu
Bowlers: Precious Marange, Cara Murray, Francisca Chipare
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