Zimbabwe vs Ireland match abandoned due to Rain

2023.12.13

Before the symphony of competition fell silent in Harare, the hosts were entwined in an artistic battle at 121 for 6

In the first ODI, Ireland had reduced Zimbabwe to 121 for 6, but rain saved the day in Harare, forcing a washout.

After being brought in to bat, Zimbabwe got off to a fast start, as Tinashe Kamunhukamwe smashed 28 off only 15 balls. But the inning unraveled after he was out. However, because of the persistent rain, the game had to be abandoned after just 25.3 overs.

Earlier, Joylord Gumbie was bowled a maiden by Mark Adair, who also got the ball to nip off the seam in both directions. However, Josh Little was dismantled by Kamunhukamwe from the opposite end. In the first over from the left-arm seamer, he struck three fours, then in the following over, he smacked two fours and a six off consecutive deliveries to reach 25 off only 10 balls.

Paul Stirling was obliged to introduce Graham Hume as a result. Attempting to attack him too, Kamunhukamwe made a mistake on a draw and was caught at mid-on for 28. Zimbabwe managed just 16 runs from the sixth to the tenth over, putting a stop to their scoring pace.

In the eleventh over, Craig Young then removed Innocent Kaia, taking the score to 48 for 2. Gumbie and Sikandar Raza made an effort to steady the innings. Raza was fortunate to be dropped by wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker on 10 when he attempted to run Little’s big and wide delivery.

However, Little used the same trick shortly after and won his man. The only thing that was different was that he was bowling around the wicket this time.

Gumbie was at one end of the scoreboard, but he was having trouble keeping it going. He was run out in the twentieth over following a mix-up with Ryan Burl, which put both hitters at the keeper’s end. Gumbie took in 59 balls in exchange for his 28 contributions.

Zimbabwe lost to 81 for 5 when Burl also went with the very next delivery, under-edging Young to the keeper. Before Hume made his way back to Castle Madande, Clive Madande and Brandon Mavuta contributed 40 off only 37 balls to push the side above 100.

After then, players were pushed off the field by lightning. Rain also appeared shortly after, ending the competition early.

Rain is also predicted to impact the second and third ODIs, which are scheduled for this Friday and Sunday.

Final Score

Zimbabwe 121 for 6 (Mavuta 28*, Kamunhukamwe 28, Gumbie 28, Hume 2-7, Young 2-33) vs Ireland

@sportzlanka team