Zimbabwe next face Ireland in a three-match ODI series. After losing to Ireland at the start of the T20I series, Zimbabwe are now aiming for a comeback in the ODIs.
Zimbabwe will face Ireland in the first ODI of the three-match series. The match will be played at the Harare Sports Club in Harare and will begin on December 13.
Zimbabwe will look to get back to winning ways after a 2-1 defeat in the T20I series. They were dealt a major blow when Sikandar Raza was banned by the ICC for the final T20 matches. Sean Williams wasn't at his best and Craig Ervine didn't play a game. The three players form the backbone of the Zimbabwe batting line-up. All three players will return for the ODI series and Zimbabwe should be much more competitive.
Ireland were brilliant in the T20I series and will look to continue the good performance in the ODI series. Bowling looks decent there but they have a lot of T20I stars in the batting line-up. How well they adapt to the ODI format will decide Ireland's fate in the series.
Team Preview
Zimbabwe
Ireland were extremely impressive in the T20 series and will be looking to do even better in the ODI series. They will look to improve their game and make sure they are running at full speed.
Ireland have proven to be a great team in the T20 format but still have a lot of work to do in the ODI format. They want to change that too with a talented young generation. Harry Tector has been in great form and will look to continue that in the ODI series.
The bowling department has been ahead in Zimbabwe so far and would like to continue this form in the long format. Craig Young and Josh Little will lead the bowling department and have high expectations of them.
Ireland
The Zimbabwe team will look to avenge their loss in the T20 series with a dominant performance in the ODI series. They will want to prove their pedigree as a home team and will try to do so in the longer format.
Zimbabwe will be aiming for a strong comeback for the ODI series. As the home team, they want to put in a dominant performance with both bat and ball. Clive Madande and Ryan Burl have been in good form and will look to improve on their performances in the ODI series.
Sikandar Raza is once again the key player for Zimbabwe, both with bat and ball. However, he will be hoping for support from Richard Ngarave and Blessing Muzarabani. They look great and will have a brilliant series.
Pitch Report
The wicket is on the drier side and thus helps the spinners. Every time a bowler brings the ball in line with the stumps, the batters are under pressure as an odd ball remains down.
Toss Prediction
Both teams wanted to chase in the T20Is and should stick to the same template in the ODIs too. The wicket should remain the same, therefore the team that won the toss should be on the field.
Weather Report
The weather forecast looks to be quite cloudy, with a 65% chance of rain. The maximum and minimum temperatures range from 28°C to 18°C.
Head to Head
The Irish men's national team has played nineteen one-day internationals against the Zimbabwe team. Both teams shared the honor by earning eight wins each. One of the games ended in a draw, while one game produced no result.
Match Prediciton
Ireland won the T20I series but ODI is a format the team is not very comfortable in. In fact, Ireland have not won a series in ODIs since 2021-22. The return of Sikandar Raza will be helpful for Zimbabwe. Additionally, Sean Williams will feel more comfortable in the format. Overall, Zimbabwe will be comfortable in ODIs and will start the game as favorites.
Zimbabwe beats Ireland
Venue Details
The Harare Sports Club located in Harare, Zimbabwe will be hosting this encounter and has a capacity of 10000.
Betting Tips
The first contest of the ODI series will be crucial as it is likely to set the tone for the rest. The Zimbabweans are a good team in the ODI format and things might not go well for the Irish team in the series. But they will go into the series with a better mood and dynamic. We're betting hosts Zimbabwe to win this first game of the series.
Probable Playing XI
Zimbabwe
Wessly Madhevere, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Clive Madande (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Brandon Mavuta, Luke Jongwe, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani
Ireland
Paul Stirling (C), Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young
Top Fantasy Picks Dream11 Prediction
Zimbabwe Key Players
Sean Williams – Sean Williams had a poor T20I series but he is one of the most experienced players in the team and needs to do well. ODI is a format that Williams enjoys more, so he will be key for the hosts with both bat and ball.
Sikandar Raza – Sikandar Raza will return to the team and it will be a big boost for Zimbabwe. Raza scored a fifty and took three wickets in Zimbabwe's win in the 1st T20I. His return makes Zimbabwe appear much more stable.
Richard Ngarava – Richard Ngarava was the pick of Zimbabwe bowlers in the T20I series and he will hold the key with the ball in the ODIs too. Ngarava has had a difficult period and will pose a big challenge for Ireland.
Ireland Key Players
Harry Tector – Harry Tector was the best Irish batsman in the T20I series and played a crucial role in Ireland's victory. He finished the series as the leading run-scorer and will be hoping to do well in the ODIs too. His ODI average is 50, so one can expect good performances from him.
Andrew Balbirnie – Andrew Balbirnie was also one of the most consistent Irish batsmen. Even though he didn't have a great T20I series, he looked good during his stay at the crease. Most of the time he lost his wicket while trying to play aggressive shots. He will have more time to build an innings in ODIs.
Mark Adair – Mark Adair will be Ireland’s leading pacer in the ODIs. He had a good T20I series and picked 4 wickets. He has taken 55 ODI wickets in 43 matches and was one of the best in the format for Ireland.
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