Zimbabwe clinch last-ball thriller in rain-hit game against Ireland

Zimbabwe beat Ireland by three wickets in a thrilling final-ball finish in Harare. Needing four to win off the final ball, Clive Madande swiped Graham Hume for four over midwicket to seal the win at a boisterous Harare Sports Club.

Zimbabwe had won the toss with Craig Ervine opting to field first, and Zimbabwe's bowlers immediately put Ireland under pressure. The visitors struggled in the opening powerplay against Richard Ngarava and Victor Nyauchi, and at that stage, Ireland were 28 for 2.

But a 212-run partnership between Andy Balbirnie and Harry Tector put Ireland on course for a strong total. Both men got centuries, before Balbirnie was forced to retire hurt on 121 after he top-edged a ball into the grill of his helmet, and was forced off concussed. But cameos at the death from George Dockerell and Lorcan Tucker took Ireland to 288.

Ireland kept Zimbabwe reined in during the powerplay as well, and the loss of the openers saw the asking rate rise. But Zimbabwe's trusted middle order put the home side back on course. Craig Ervine and Gary Balance got runs, before a 76-run partnership between Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl - who scored 59 - brought Zimbabwe back into the game.

Rain arrived in the 34th over, at which stage Zimbabwe were two runs behind the DLS target. After more than an hour, the sides got back on the pitch, with Zimbabwe requiring 39 off 22 balls. The loss of Raza immediately after put Ireland in the driving seat, leaving Burl to fight on almost single-handedly.

A few lusty blows from the left-hander brought Zimbabwe close, but when he was run out trying to get back on strike, his side still needed 11 off four balls. Brad Evans hit a six off the first ball before being dismissed the next, and in the end, Zimbabwe needed four off the last delivery. An overpitched ball from Hume was smeared to cow corner by Madande as Zimbabwe sealed a scintillating win.