Tony Munyonga played a heroic innings of 43 not out to guide Zimbabwe to a thrilling three-wicket victory over Ireland, with four balls to spare, in the second T20 International at Harare Sports Club on Sunday.
Chasing a target of 141, the hosts looked all but beaten when Sikandar Raza was dismissed at 64 for five.
However, Munyonga rallied the tail and sealed the win with a boundary in the final over.
Earlier, Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to field.
Ireland suffered an early setback when captain Paul Stirling edged a catch to wicketkeeper Tadiwanashe Marumani off Richard Ngarava’s bowling in the first over.
Lorcan Tucker, dropped early by Raza, played a key role in stabilising the innings.
He shared a 53-run stand with Harry Tector (28) in less than seven overs and then added 40 with Curtis Campher (26).
Tucker eventually fell for 48 off 40 balls, caught off a pull shot at deep fine leg in the 14th over, leaving Ireland at 99 for three.
From there, Zimbabwe’s bowlers tightened their grip with disciplined, accurate bowling.
Trevor Gwandu struck three times in quick succession, starting with Tucker’s dismissal, while none of the lower-order batters managed to reach double figures.
Ryan Burl took a catch that saw him set a new Zimbabwe record of 45 catches in T20 internationals, surpassing Raza’s 44.
Ireland stumbled to 137 for eight in their 20 overs, with Gwandu finishing with three for 24, while Ngarava and Raza chipped in with two wickets each.
Zimbabwe’s chase got off to a disastrous start despite Brian Bennett driving the first ball to fine leg for four.
Marumani and Wessly Madhevere fell cheaply in the second over, both dismissed by Craig Young.
Bennett followed soon after, slicing a catch to deep backward point for eight, leaving Zimbabwe reeling at 14 for three.
Burl and Raza attempted to rebuild, adding 48 runs in quick time.
Burl struck two fours off Campher, while Raza did the same against Josh Little.
Just as they seemed to be shifting momentum, Tector deceived Burl (27 off 20 balls) with a flighted delivery, edging to the keeper.
Zimbabwe’s hopes took another blow in the next over when Raza, attempting a drive off Ben White, was caught at long-off for 22 off 27 balls.
At 64 for five in the 11th over, victory seemed a distant dream.
However, Munyonga and Tashinga Musekiwa fought back, adding 33 runs for the sixth wicket in less than four overs before Young dismissed Musekiwa for 15 off 11 balls.
After 15 overs, Zimbabwe needed 37 off the final five overs.
Wellington Masakadza’s dismissal for six left 26 runs required off the last three overs.
Munyonga then took charge, smashing 10 runs in an over to bring the target within reach.
Ngarava joined the action, striking Young for two fours.
Three scrambled singles followed, leaving Zimbabwe needing just two runs from the final over, bowled by Graham Hume.
Ngarava levelled the scores with a single off the first ball, before Munyonga emphatically drove the next delivery through the covers for four, sealing a memorable victory with four balls to spare.
Ireland – 137-8 in 20 overs (Lorcan Tucker 46, Harry Tector 28, Curtis Camphor 26; Trevor Gwandu 3/24, Sikandar Raza 2/22, Richard Ngarava 2/38)
Zimbabwe – 141-7 in 19.2 overs (Tony Munyonga 43*, Ryan Burl 27, Sikandar Raza 22; Craig Young 4/24, Harry Tector 1/5, Ben White 1/21)
Zimbabwe won by three wickets
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