Illustrated StoryIreland pip Zimbabwe in thrillerESPNcricinfo staff07-Mar-2015Having been put in, Ireland lost Paul Stirling early AFPCaptain William Porterfield stitched a 63-run partnership with Ed Joyce before falling to Sean Williams Getty ImagesLoading ...Zimbabwe's fielding was scrappy and they dropped several catches Getty ImagesJoyce scored his third ODI century, off 96 deliveries AFPAndy Balbirnie was run out for a 79-ball 97, which included seven fours and four sixes Getty ImagesDespite a few late wickets, the 138-run third-wicket partnership between Joyce and Balbirnie took Ireland to their highest ODI total of 331 AFPZimbabwe lost their first wicket for 32, followed by a mini-collapse that left them at 74 for 4 by the 18th Getty ImagesBrendon Taylor and Sean Williams shared a 149-run stand and scored them at 7.15 runs to the over AFPKevin O'Brien picked two crucial wickets - Hamilton Masakadza and Sean Williams AFPKevin O'Brien and Alex Cusack combined to remove Brendan Taylor for a well-made 121 AFPTurning Point: Williams was caught on the square leg fence by John Mooney, almost sealing Zimbabwe's fate AFPTawanda Mupariwa almost turned the tide late in Zimbabwe's favour but Ireland held on to win the game by five runs AFPIrelandZimbabweIreland vs ZimbabweICC Cricket World CupRead in AppElevate your reading experience on ESPNcricinfo App.Download App Now
