Zimbabwe humble Ireland in ICC U/19 CWC

Zimbabwe 215-7 (44 overs, D.Samunderu 61); Ireland 97 (29.1 overs). Zimbabwe won by 118 runs.

Zimbabwe humbled Ireland in Group D's opening match of the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup at the Nondescripts Cricket Club in Colombo on Sunday.

After being put into bat in a match reduced to 44 overs per side after a 105-minute delay caused by a damp outfield following heavy rain the previous day, Sean Williams's side reached 215-7 with Donald `Kuda' Samunderu top-scoring with 61.

Ireland fancied their chances of chasing that score but in the end they were skittled by Zimbabwe's attack with Keegan Meth impressing with 3-15 in nine overs.

Samunderu's contribution was the one around which Zimbabwe built their effort after they were put into bat. It was a patient innings too, as he faced 107 balls and batted for 139 minutes.

At the other end, Samunderu's team mates made attractive but brief contributions.

His opening partner Friday Kasteni scored 21, captain Sean Williams made 29 from only 23 balls, Gary Balance contributed 23 and there was a bright and breezy 23 from only 12 balls by Ryan Higgins.

Leg-spinner Greg Thompson, who spends his seasons in the northern hemisphere on the staff at English county side Lancashire, was Ireland's most successful bowler, capturing 3-48.

In reply Ireland were never really in contention after slipping to 29-4 thanks to Meth's opening burst and he bowled his nine overs straight through in one spell.

No Ireland batsman reached 20 with James Hall finishing as top scorer with 17 as spinners Ryan Higgins and Graeme Cremer mopped up the lower order.

The win gives Zimbabwe an early advantage in the battle to qualify for the Super League quarter-finals. Only two sides from Group D will progress to that stage with England and Nepal the other two sides in the group.