Ross Adair's 47-ball 65 helps Ireland level series

Ross Adair, playing only his second international game, stroked a 47-ball 65 to help Ireland to a six-wicket victory against Zimbabwe, and level the three-match series going into the decider in Harare on Sunday.

Chasing 145, Ireland made a steady but sedate start, as Adair and Andy Balbirnie added 48 for the first wicket. Two quick wickets from Ryan Burl looked to give Zimbabwe a way back into the game, but Adair and Harry Tector stitched together a 59-run partnership that put the visitors in sight of the win. Adair was eventually dismissed in the 16th over, having struck two fours and four sixes during his half-century, but Tector (26) and George Dockrell saw Ireland home in the final over, with two deliveries to spare; Dockrell finished the game with a six off Brad Evans, who leaked 38 runs from 3.4 overs.

Earlier, Zimbabwe, in the absence of Gary Ballance, who was hit on the helmet in the previous game, managed 144 from their 20 overs. The team lost Tadiwanashe Marumani in the first over, but rebuilt through Innocent Kaia (25) and the captain Craig Ervine (42). At 117 for 4 in the 16th over, the hosts were looking for a final flourish, but two quick strikes from Graham Hume derailed their momentum. Zimbabwe lost their last four wickets for just seven runs, to be bowled out for 144.

Hume ended with figures of 4-0-17-3, while Tector took 2 for 22 from his four overs.