Zimbabwe vs Ireland, 1st T20I at Harare, ZIM v IRE, Dec 07 2023 - Match Result

Right! That's all from us for tonight. Fingers do need some rest now, with the kind of end we have had. Do join us for the second T20I day after tomorrow. For tonight, on behalf of Ranjit and Abhimanyu, this is Sudarshanan bidding you goodbye. Thanks for your company. Till the next time, take care, adios!

10:18pm Time for the presentation

Paul Stirling, Ireland captain: "First of all it was a brilliant game. Hopefully we entertained the spectators here. Close game. You can point the loss at different directions but it was a good game. Not one area but we'll have a good look at different facts. We lost wickets in crucial points. Should have got to 160. We'll assess and come back better. [Bowlers] We picked up wickets at crucial points. That's how you close T20 games. A run here and there was crucial. [Adair catch] We work that out and it is not easy, especially at a new venue under lights."

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza, Player of the Match: "Nice to be part of history. Credit to fans for coming out in numbers. First game under lights, cracker of a game. Thought they got five to eight too many. Credit to Delany to have batted the way he did. Happy with the chase, credit to the batters. Made mistakes here and there but important that we got over the line. I am never a guy who looks into personal performances. I was gutted to have not finished the game. The little knock from Clive Madande was very crucial. Wessly got out at a wrong time. Pretty happy and proud of my team. Just wanted to tell Madande that if you remain positive, you'll see the ball better. When you give responsibility to these guys they do well. Everything that happens stays on the field."

10:08pm Hold your breath. Uff! Let that drama sink in. A game for the ages. Ireland players walk off fully knowing they were a millimeter away from taking the lead this series. Zimbabwe players walk down to shake hands, fully aware that had Muzarabani attempted any othre shot, the win would have prolly not been theirs. A game of fine margins. A historic first international game under floodlights at the Harare Sports Club and sure it has been a memorable one.

Spare a thought for Little and Young, who bowled some tight overs even as the game was getting tight with Zimbabwe having their noses ahead. Little knocked over the aggressive Madande to turn the tables. And then Adair struck what seemed like a telling blow with Raza's scalp. McCarthy kept his calm in crucial phases but it was just not enough. Zimbabwe have escaped to a win but will have to take a hard look at their batting, that once again cost them. It was all Raza with the bat after it was all Raza with the ball earlier, with a three-for.

Graham: "Wow, what a match !!! Congrats Zim"

Panashe: "Shhhhhhh this is one of the greatest escape from Zim"

Adair is off the field. A lonnnggg team chat at the bowler's mark even as Blessing Muzarabani takes strike. Two to win, one for a Super Over. McCarthy taking his own sweet time to set his field. Short cover, mid-off, backward point, cover-point, midwicket, fine leg all in the ring. Long-on and deep backward square leg out. Wait, fine leg goes out

Conference. McCarthy, Little, Stirling. Midwicket comes in, and then goes back out. Long-on goes back, fine leg back, deep backward square leg back

Superb over from Adair leaves Zimbabwe with 9 to get in the final over. McCarthy with the responsibility for Ireland.

Richard Ngarava given a few words of wisdom from Raza as he walked in

Trevor Gwandu with the bat now. Gave away 20 in the final over. Can he hang around and ensure a Zimbabwe win?

Adair for the penultimate

Luke Jongwe is the new batter marking guard

A run a ball 18 needed as Little returns