Ireland vs Zimbabwe 1st T20I: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

After sweeping the ODI series 3-0, Ireland must be confident ahead of the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe beginning with the first game at Belfast on Thursday, 9 July. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, would hope for a change in fortune with a new series.

The top five of the Ireland batting lineup – Paul Stirling, James McCollum, Andy Balbirnie, William Porterfield and Kevin O’Brien – have got runs under their belt and may look to go one step further in the shortest format.

Balbirnie, McCollum and Stirling have scored heavily at the top of the order and Porterfield and O’Brien, who hadn’t been among the runs in the first two games, got 49 and 34* respectively in the final ODI and gained some much-needed time at the crease.

With the ball too, Ireland have been dominant. Tim Murtagh, the experienced campaigner, was among the wickets throughout the ODI series, picking up a five-wicket haul as well. Mark Adair, Shane Getkate and O’Brien have all done well. Ireland are in form and start as the favourites to win.

Zimbabwe need a lot of course correction. The openers didn’t provide good starts on a consistent basis and barring Craig Ervine and Sean Williams, the other batsmen haven’t been in the best touch. Hamilton Masakadza has got starts but has failed to convert and the hard-hitting Solomon Mire has failed to take off. Brendan Taylor, too, has failed.

With the ball too, Zimbabwe have not found a leader of the attack. Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, and Christopher Mpofu form the fast-bowling core, but they couldn’t break through consistently with the new ball. Zimbabwe need to put their act together to take on and beat an in-form Ireland.

Head to head

Ireland and Zimbabwe have played only one T20I in the past – at the World T20 in 2014. Ireland won the match by three wickets.

Key players

Paul Stirling (Ireland): Stirling got back-to-back half centuries in the first two ODIs and chipped in with 32 in the third match. He is in good touch and will look to give his team a good start.

Craig Ervine (Zimbabwe): Ervine has been the most consistent batsman for his side on this tour. Scores of 105 and 43 in the first two matches helped Zimbabwe recover from tough positions, and the team will rely on him to bail them out in this series as well.

Likely XIs

Ireland: Paul Stirling, James McCollum, Andrew Balbirnie, William Porterfield (c), Kevin O’Brien, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Shane Getkate, Mark Adair, Tim Murtagh, Boyd Rankin, Andy McBrine.

Zimbabwe: Hamilton Masakadza (c), Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor (wk), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Peter Moor, Ryan Burl, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara.

Prediction

Ireland beat Zimbabwe and take a 1-0 lead in the series.