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HARARE – Captain Paul Stirling, Mark Adair and Curtis Campher performed pivotal roles as Ireland beat Zimbabwe by six wickets on Sunday to stage a one-day worldwide collection with one match left.
Put in to bat, the hosts made 245 in 49 overs, thanks largely to a fourth-wicket partnership between Wessly Madhevere (61) and Sikandar Raza (58) at Harare Sports Club.
Seamer Adair (4-54) and fast Campher (3-13) excelled with the ball, with the latter taking his three wickets off six deliveries.
After the early lack of opener Andy Balbirnie (11), Stirling (89) and Campher (63) placed on 144 runs for the second wicket to steer the vacationers towards a convincing victory.
A 4 from Lorcan Tucker from the fourth ball of the penultimate over sealed victory for the guests, who started an all-format tour with a 63-run win in a one-off Test.
The Zimbabwe bowlers struggled with medium-pacer Trevor Gwandu (2-50) producing one of the best figures.
The groups meet once more on Tuesday within the third and remaining ODI with all to play for after Zimbabwe gained the primary match by 49 runs on Friday.
“We were the better team. Wessly and Sikandar batted well, then Curtis struck some decisive blows,” stated Stirling.
“Restricting Zimbabwe to 245 boosted our morale as that was a target we could chase. Matches come thick and fast these days and now we must prepare for the decider.”
Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine (4) stated: “We want about 280 to be aggressive. Losing three wickets in fast succession was an enormous setback.
“More early wickets could have produced a different outcome, but the partnership between Paul and Curtis set it up for them.”
Struggling with cramps, Stirling needed to accept a thirty first ODI half-century after a miscued pull shot off Richard Ngarava took a vanguard and Madhevere made a catch at further cowl.
His departure after a 102-ball stand that included two sixes and eight fours left Ireland 200-4, and unbeaten knocks from Tucker (36) and George Dockrell (20) accomplished the duty.
Earlier, Campher claimed a seventh half century earlier than being trapped leg earlier than by Gwandu making an attempt a pull shot.
Zimbabwe opener Brian Bennett, who struck 169 within the first ODI, might solely make 30 and his staff had been 77-3 when Madhevere and Raza got here collectively.
Madhevere fell leg earlier than to a Campher supply aimed toward off stump, and a spectacular low catch at deep mid wicket from Hector Tector despatched Raza to the pavilion.
Brief Scores
Zimbabwe 245 (W. Madhevere 61, S. Raza 58; M. Adair 4-54, C. Campher 3-13) v Ireland 249-4 (P. Stirling 89, Campher 63)
Result: Ireland gained by six wickets
Series: 1-1 forward of ultimate match on Tuesday
Toss: Ireland