Raza’s day out as Zim trump Ireland
THE all-rounder hit 82 in 48 and picked up a wicket, and the Zimbabwe bowlers did their bit, to script a 31-run win. Zimbabwe re-announced themselves on the big stage with a win over Ireland in their first major tournament appearance since 2016.
It was also Zimbabwe's first World Cup win over Ireland in four meetings across the 50- and 20-over formats, and puts them second on the Group B table behind Scotland, who beat West Indies earlier in the day.
In chilly conditions and on a surface with extra bounce, Zimbabwe were in early trouble on 39 for 3 inside the powerplay, but recovered to 79 for 4 at the halfway stage. Sikandar Raza took the reins from there on, and powered his way to his sixth T20I half-century while also sharing in a 58run fifth-wicket stand with Milton Shumba.
Raza went on to add 33 from 17 balls with Luke Jongwe at the death to give the bowlers a decent total to defend.
He took on the Ireland spinners, as Simi Singh and Gareth Delaney conceded 52 runs in the five overs they combined to bowl. However, the pace bowlers weren't spared by Zimbabwe either, as Curtis Campher and Mark Adair's seven overs cost 68, with only left-armer Josh Little posing a real threat.
It turned out to be a good day for left-arm seamers, as Richard Ngarava made the first two incisions into Ireland's line-up. But Blessing Muzarabani also joined the fun, as Ireland were reduced to 33 for 4 in the powerplay.
George Dockrell and Campher put up some resistance with a 42-run fifth-wicket partnership, but once they were separated — by Raza — Zimbabwe's path to victory was clear.
Though Zimbabwe were untidy at the end by dropping two catches and allowing Ireland's tail to wag, their bowlers will be pleased with their returns. Wickets were shared, with seven falling to the quicks and two to the spinners. Sean Williams, who became the player with the longest T20I career of 15 years and 323 days, finished with 1 for 22.
Ireland's short-ball strategy
Ireland's fast bowlers clearly had a plan, which seemed to be to bowl short early on, and they stuck to it almost to perfection. Collectively, they only delivered one full delivery in the first five overs while testing Zimbabwe's top four with pace, bounce and seam movement.
Regis Chakabva was greeted with a ball that kissed his shoulder and cramped him for room, even as it nipped back.
The ball eventually caught the shoulder of his bat on its way through to Lorcan Tucker. Wesley Madhevere faced more of the same in the opening over, and top-edged the third delivery he faced from Tucker for four.
He should have been out in the next over when he pulled Mark Adair to Campher at deep square but Campher mistimed his jump and the ball went through his hands. Madhevere made the most of his let-off, rocked back and rolled his wrists to bring out the pull and the whip through midwicket.
However, he tried to take on one short ball too many when he picked out Gareth Delany at deep backward square to give Little a second wicket in his opening spell.
Zimbabwe also lost Craig Ervine to offspinner Simi Singh in the powerplay.