Zimbabwe vs Ireland, 1st ODI at Harare, Zimbabwe vs Ireland, Feb 14 2025 - Ball by Ball Commentary

Short turnaround between the first and second ODI. Same venue though. It'll test the players' fitness levels and endurance. Will be fun to see how the conditions are as well. Weather was kind on play today, hope it stays that way. For now, thanks for joining us. It's goodbye from me, Sreshth, and our scorers Chetan Kumar and Thilak Rama.

Craig Ervine, Zimbabwe captain: Benny batted extremely well, perfect tempo. You have to capitalise on chances, which he did. Openers doing well is crucial as it'll allow other batters to play with freedom. Surface played reasonably well throughout. Was a little bit slow at the start. We were looking at the 300 mark at the start. Even though we got there, we knew we had to bowl well to defend. We're trying to work on a few things. We've won first games before giving it away. Need to make sure we don't get complacent. Our spinners did really well in the middle overs. We were probably a bit poor in the field today, lot of things to work on for Sunday.

Paul Stirling, Ireland capatin: Congrats to Brian, outstanding knock. We gave him a chance or two, he made us pay. We were rusty when we shouldn't have been I felt. Feel 50 runs was the difference and the result reflects that. Wicket was as good as it gets in Harare. The squeeze was put on us between overs 30 and 40 in both innings. We bat deep and you want to give yourselves a chance. We gave us a couple. Hopefully, next time we come through.

Brian Bennett, POTM: I open in the T20s, I was trying for a while to get at the top in ODIs. Ball comes on nicely and there are only two fielders out, tried to take advantage of that. Good sign to be an opener getting a ton, hope to continue that. Plan was to take it deep, and as you saw today, you could go big in the end. Nice to bat with Craig, who supported me.

The new-ball bowlers were the best on the day. They used variations and mix-ups in length really well. Masakadza kept a leash on the scoring in the middle overs. It was getting close towards the end with Dockrell and McBrine counter-attacking but Ervine was proactive. He brought back Muzarabni and a double-strike in the 45th all but sealed the game.

5:12pm: Batting was supposed to have gotten easier in the second-half. There were times when batting did feel easy, but Zimbabwe chipped away. There were three fifty-plus partnerships, one 46, but Muzarabani, Ngarava, and Madhevere - who was effective during the Test too - kept Ireland at bay. Stirling was picking up pace but was undone by seam movement from Muzarabani. Campher consolidated but edged a cut to the keeper. There was consolidation for Ireland but Tucker chopped on and Tector couldn't get going. Got his first boundary in his 77th ball was out the 78th.

Ngarava. Ervine really doesn't want this go to the 50th

Ziwamo: ""Blessing Muzarabani is the rain that falls in drought--always a blessing to Zimbabwe cricket."" This was a stretch a ball ago, less so now

Ziwamo: "What a fighting knock from the Irish seems fate will have the final say i said it earlier.Will say it again Zimbabwe has never lost a match on valentines day since 2018.They will just cross the line here Blessing will be their Blessing." There's the wicket. Btw Zimbabwe last played on Valentine's day in 2012

Muzarabani handed the ball. Two overs left for him. Around

One of the stands is packed with fans, who are signing and cheering in unison

Raza's final over

Chris: "If this McDocky partnership takes them home then you owe me a crisp high five good sir" Deal. Although there might be restaurant chains ready to offer you crisp riches for McDocky, which sounds like a burger for dockers, maybe pirates too