Ireland vs Zimbabwe 3rd T20I: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Ireland went 1-0 up with a resounding 9-wicket win in the second T20I of the 3-match series, at Bready Cricket Club, Magheramason, Bready, after the first match was washed out. They will now face off in the third match at the same ground, on the 14th.

Zimbabwe has had a miserable run, getting whitewashed in the ODI series in both Netherlands and Ireland. However, they had somehow managed to draw the T20I series in Netherlands. Whether they will be is another thing.

Craig Ervine (55 in 32 balls) and Sean Williams (34 in 12) hit some spectacular blows in the second T20I, but they really need to do something about their bowling.

Ireland, on the other hand, have nothing to worry about. They have not lost anything to Zimbabwe on the latter’s ongoing tour; they are in familiar territory; and Paul Stirling has just smashed an unbeaten 36-ball 83 to pull off an insane victory for them.

Head to head

Ireland have now played Zimbabwe twice and have won both matches, in the 2014 World T20I and here, at Bready.

Key players

Mark Adair (Ireland): One of Ireland’s next-generation stars, Adair is capable of generating serious pace. When Zimbabwe were cruising at 87/2 in the 8th over at Bready, Adair pegged them back with a double blow and finished with 4/40.

Sean Williams (Zimbabwe): Probably Zimbabwe’s finest all-rounder, Williams left a mark in Bready. He did try his best to keep a rampant Stirling under control, but his more spectacular performance – a 12-ball 34 – came earlier in the match.