Zimbabwe won a T20I series against Ireland 1-0 on Tuesday after rain forced a shortened final match of three to be abandoned with no result.

There was also no result due to rain in the first match last Saturday and Zimbabwe won by three wickets the following day in the only fixture to be completed.

Zimbabwe posted 142-6 in the final tour fixture after pre-match rain forced a 50-minute delay. The rain returned after their innings, preventing Ireland from batting.

“I think it would have been a good game. Zimbabwe crept to an above-par score, and it would have been a really good chase,” said Ireland captain Paul Stirling.

Captain Sikandar Raza top scored for Zimbabwe with his 34-run knock including two sixes and two fours in a match reduced to 18 overs a side by the weather.

Tony Munyonga, whose unbeaten 43 was instrumental in the victory on Sunday, and undefeated Tashinga Musekiwa contributed 26 runs each.

Spinner Gareth Delany (2-5) and fast medium pacer Craig Young (2-38) did best among the Irish bowlers.

The success completed a white-ball double for Zimbabwe, who won a ODI series 2-1 in Harare. Ireland began the all-format tour with a 63-run win in a one-off Test in Bulawayo.

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Rain forced the first T20I between Zimbabwe and Ireland on Saturday to be abandoned with no result after the hosts made 77-5 in a match reduced to nine overs-a-side.

Ryan Burl struck 36 for Zimbabwe, including three sixes and two fours, before Harry Tector made a brilliant catch at long on off a short-pitched Josh Little delivery.

Quick bowler Little (2-8) and medium-pacer Craig Young (2-15) shared the Irish bowling honours at Harare Sports Club.

Rain delayed the start by 135 minutes in the first match of three, then returned before Ireland could bat.

The teams are scheduled to play again on Sunday and Tuesday in the final section of an all-format tour.

Ireland triumphed in a one-off Test, then Zimbabwe won an ODI series 2-1.

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Ben Curran struck an ODI career-best 118 to steer Zimbabwe to a nine-wicket triumph over Ireland in Harare, and a 2-1 series victory.

The son of former Zimbabwe cricketer Kevin Curran and brother of England internationals Tom and Sam Curran faced 112 balls, and his knock included 14 fours.

Ben could not hide his pride after the innings as he became the first player in Curran family to score a century in international cricket.

It was a dramatic improvement in form by the 28-year-old, whose previous highest ODI score was 28 runs.

He reached his maiden century from the third ball of the 36th over, hitting off-spinner Andy McBrine for four.

Replying to 240-6 by Ireland, Zimbabwe reached 246-1 with 63 balls to spare at Harare Sports Club, where rain delayed play for 30 minutes during the afternoon.

“Congratulations to Ben for a magnificent innings. I have sensed for some time that we were going to put on a performance like this,” said Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine.

“I have said many times that there is a lot of talent in this squad. Beating Ireland by nine wickets proves that.”

Curran and opening partner Brian Bennett (48) put on 126 for the opening wicket before the latter was trapped lbw by Graham Hume when attempting to flick the ball through midwicket.

Ervine then joined Curran in the run chase and excelled, hitting 69 off 59 deliveries, including three sixes and five fours, as the pair added 122 runs.

The win was a huge relief for Zimbabwe, who recently suffered white-ball series losses at home to both Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Ireland, who began the ODI series fresh from a 63-run victory over Zimbabwe in a one-off Test, suffered an early batting blow when captain Paul Stirling departed for nine.

Looking to slam a Richard Ngarava delivery over the covers, the skipper looped it straight to Johnathan Campbell.

Curtis Campher was next to fall cheaply, out for 11, before Andy Balbirnie (64) and Harry Tector (51) put on 86 runs for the third wicket in the most profitable Irish partnership.

A poorly timed ball struck to midwicket spelt the end for Balbirnie, and Tector paid the price for a reckless shot.

Wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker (61) was the third Ireland batsman to score a half-century. His innings ended with the bails flying after a wild swing.

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Captain Paul Stirling and Curtis Campher played pivotal roles as Ireland beat Zimbabwe by six wickets to level the ODI series with one match left.

Put in to bat, the hosts made 245 in 49 overs, thanks largely to a fourth-wicket partnership between Wessly Madhevere (61) and Sikandar Raza (58) at Harare Sports Club.

Seamer Adair (4-54) and quick Campher (3-13) excelled with the ball, with the latter taking his three wickets off six deliveries.

After the early loss of opener Andy Balbirnie (11), Stirling (89) and Campher (63) put on 144 runs for the second wicket to steer the tourists toward a convincing victory.

A four from Lorcan Tucker from the fourth ball of the penultimate over sealed victory for the visitors, who began an all-format tour with a 63-run win in a one-off Test.

The Zimbabwe bowlers struggled with medium-pacer Trevor Gwandu (2-50) producing the best figures.

The teams meet again on Tuesday in the third and final ODI with all to play for after Zimbabwe won the first match by 49 runs on Friday.

“We were the better team. Wessly and Sikandar batted well, then Curtis struck some decisive blows,” said Stirling.

“Restricting Zimbabwe to 245 boosted our morale as that was a target we could chase. Matches come thick and fast these days and now we must prepare for the decider.”

Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine, who made four, said: “We need about 280 to be competitive. Losing three wickets in quick succession was a huge setback.

“More early wickets could have produced a different outcome, but the partnership between Paul and Curtis set it up for them.”

Struggling with cramps, Stirling had to settle for a 31st ODI half-century after a miscued pull shot off Richard Ngarava took a leading edge and Madhevere made a catch at extra cover.

His departure after a 102-ball stand that included two sixes and eight fours left Ireland 200-4, and unbeaten knocks from Tucker (36) and George Dockrell (20) completed the task.

Earlier, Campher claimed a seventh half-century before being trapped lbw by Gwandu attempting a pull shot.

Zimbabwe opener Brian Bennett, who struck 169 in the first ODI, could only make 30 and his team were 77-3 when Madhevere and Raza came together.

Madhevere fell lbw to a Campher delivery aimed at off-stump, and a spectacular low catch at deep mid-wicket from Hector Tector sent Raza to the pavilion.

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Brian Bennett struck an ODI career-best 169 as Zimbabwe defeated Ireland by 49 runs in Harare on Friday in the first of the three-match series.

The 21-year-old opener and 39-year-old captain Craig Ervine (66) played key roles as the home side posted 299-5 in 50 overs.

A 73-run mid-innings partnership between George Dockrell (32) and Andy McBrine (34) offered hope to the tourists, but both fell within four balls and Ireland were all out for 250 in 46 overs.

Dockrell and McBrine were dispatched by Blessing Muzarabani, whose 4-51 were the best figures among the Zimbabwe bowlers.

Bennett, whose previous best ODI knock was 37, said: “I was lucky to get a chance to open and lucky that things went in my favour.

“I enjoy the new ball in white-ball cricket. There had been some talk about me opening. It was a tricky start, but the pitch was good. Not much swing and not much in the deck.”

Ervine said: “Benny [Bennett] batted extremely well, with perfect tempo. You have to capitalise on your chances, and he did.

“Openers performing well is crucial because it allows other batters to play with freedom. The surface played reasonably well throughout, although it was a little slow early on.”

Ireland captain Paul Stirling said: “Congratulations to Brian for an outstanding knock. We gave him a chance or two, and he punished us. We were rusty when we should not have been.

“The wicket was as good as it gets at Harare Sports Club. 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 up a couple. Hopefully we come through next time.”

Bennett eventually departed off the second ball of the final over. He mistimed an attempted big shot off Mark Adair (2-55) and was caught at deep extra cover by Andy Balbirnie.

He faced 163 deliveries in a 216-minute innings in the Zimbabwe capital that included 20 fours and three sixes.

Ervine hit four sixes and three fours in a 136-run second-wicket partnership with Bennett. It proved crucial as Zimbabwe won for the seventh time in 12 ODIs against Ireland in Harare.

Replying, Ireland suffered a mid-innings collapse with Lorcan Tucker (31), Harry Tector (39) and Adair (two) sent to the pavilion in quick succession.

Dockrell and McBrine then threatened to win the match for the Irish before Muzarabani struck, leaving the visitors 247-8. Matthew Humphreys (nought) and Josh Little (one) then fell cheaply.

The teams meet again on Sunday and Tuesday before a three-match T20I series. The tour began with Ireland winning a one-off Test by 63 runs.

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Spinner Matthew Humphreys starred again in Bulawayo on Monday, adding two wickets to four earlier in the innings as Ireland wrapped up a 63-run win over Zimbabwe in a one-off Test.

Ireland won the toss at Queens Sports Club and posted 260 and 298. Zimbabwe made 267 and 228 in reply with a dashing 84 from all-rounder Wessly Madhevere the highlight of their second innings.

It was the second Test victory in a row for the Irish over the southern African nation having won by four wickets in Belfast last July.

“Humphreys was superb, [Andy] McBrine too. Our bowlers worked hard, taking wickets at key times,” said Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie.

“We love Test cricket as a team. Our guys have been brought up on ODI and T20 cricket, but they prepared well for this match.”

Zimbabwe captain Johnathan Campbell said: “Our bowlers impressed throughout. However, we flopped with the bat. There were good individual performances, but a lack of overall cohesion.

“Wessly had a fighting knock and debutant Nick [Welch] did well. There is exciting talent in Zimbabwe and we are not far off.”

Humphreys (6-57) wreaked havoc over three days after Zimbabwe were set a target of 292 to end a four-year winless run in Tests.

He took the wicket of first-innings star Welch (five) on Saturday, and his three victims the following day included Brian Bennett (45) and Campbell (33).

His first casualty on Monday was tail-ender Newman Nyamhuri (eight), trapped lbw after the ball struck his front pad when attempting a sweep.

Madhevere, who celebrated his maiden Test half-century on Sunday, added 23 runs to his overnight 61 before being bowled by Humphreys.

The Zimbabwean watched in horror as a quick delivery with the second new ball skidded past the outside edge and sent the stumps flying.

McBrine then atoned for several missed catch opportunities on the final day by bowling Richard Ngarava (14) to end the Zimbabwe innings.

The 31-year-old, whose first-innings 90 steadied Ireland after they were reduced to 31-5, was named Man of the Match.

The teams travel north to Harare for three ODIs beginning Friday, followed by three T20Is.

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Spinner Matthew Humphreys took four wickets as Ireland reduced Zimbabwe to 183-7 on a rain-hit fourth day, leaving them well-poised for victory in Bulawayo.

He shared the individual honours with Zimbabwe all-rounder Wessly Madhevere, who struck his first half-century in Test cricket and was unbeaten on 61 at the close.

More than four hours were lost due to two rain interruptions before bad light stopped play 12 minutes ahead of schedule.

Zimbabwe need 109 runs to win on the final day, with a forecast of scattered thunderstorms again threatening to restrict play.

Twenty-two-year-old Humphreys dismissed first-innings star Nick Welch for five late on Saturday and added the prize wickets of Brian Bennett (45) and Johnathan Campbell (33) on Sunday.

The left-arm spinner also claimed the wicket of Nyasha Mayavo (eight) to finish with 4-41 at the Queens Sports Club.

His dismissal of Bennett ended a battling 65-run fifth-wicket partnership with Madhevere. A thick edge proved the undoing of the Zimbabwean as wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker reacted sharply to make the catch.

Madhevere then combined with Campbell to add 56 for the sixth wicket before the stand-in captain drove a full toss firmly back at Humphreys, who reacted quickly by sticking out his left hand and clinging on to the catch.

Madhevere, who only came into the team shortly before the match began when captain Craig Ervine withdrew for the birth of his child, played an assured innings striking seven fours in his undefeated 61 which came from 147 deliveries.

It was a pleasing change of fortunes for the 25-year-old, who has scored 87 runs in this match after ducks in his three previous Test innings.

After the Bulawayo Test, the teams travel north to Harare for three ODIs and three T20Is.

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Andy Balbirnie and Lorcan Tucker scored half-centuries as Ireland posted 298 in their second innings to take control of a one-off Test against Zimbabwe on Saturday.

Then, needing 292 runs to avenge a four-wicket loss in Belfast last year, Zimbabwe slumped to 38-3 at the close of the third day at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

The odds in a seesaw match have swung toward Ireland as Zimbabwe have never scored 292 runs to win a Test when batting last.

Zimbabwe have also been weakened by the unavailability of three potential big scorers – captain Craig Ervine, Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza.

Balbirnie made 66 and wicketkeeper Tucker 58 while seamer Richard Ngarava was the pick of the Zimbabwe bowlers, taking four wickets for 55 runs.

Balbirnie patiently built his innings, facing 160 balls and hitting two fours before he was dismissed in a tight lbw call that gave Wessly Madhevere his maiden Test wicket.

Tucker was caught in the covers by stand-in skipper Johnathan Campbell after getting a top edge to a Ngarava delivery. His 95-ball knock included a six and six fours.

Ngarava then claimed the wickets of Mark Adair (15) and Barry McCarthy (11) to match his Test-best of four in an innings.

Blessing Muzarabani, who took seven wickets in the first Irish innings, had to settle for just one second time round.

Seeking a historic win, Zimbabwe made a disastrous start to their second innings, losing openers Takudzwanashe Kaitano (14) and Ben Curran (four) and Nick Welch (five) with just 32 runs on the board.

Curran was caught by Tucker after getting an outside edge off a Barry McCarthy ball and a Mark Adair in-swinger puzzled Kaitano, leading to his off stump being uprooted.

Test debutant Welch, who made 90 in his first innings, faced only 20 balls before misreading the line of a Matthew Humphreys delivery and was trapped lbw.

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A superb 67-run 10th-wicket partnership between Blessing Muzarabani and Trevor Gwandu earned Zimbabwe a seven-run first-innings lead over Ireland on Friday in a one-off Test.

Ireland were all out for 260 late on the opening day on Thursday, and looked set to build a healthy lead after reducing the hosts to 200-9 on day two in Bulawayo.

Zimbabwe were eventually all out for 267, thanks to the last-wicket partnership and Test debutant Nick Welch, who struck 90 while many of his teammates failed to make an impact.

Muzarabani, who took seven wickets on Thursday, stole the limelight again, this time with the bat as he contributed a Test best 47, including six fours.

The innings ended when Muzarabani was caught out by the pace of a delivery from spinner Matthew Humphreys, which uprooted the middle and leg stumps.

Fellow tail-ender Gwandu proved a patient partner and was unbeaten on 18 having faced 79 balls at Queens Sports Club in the southwestern city.

The heroic stand between Muzarabani and Gwandu came after a dream debut by Welch, whose 173-ball knock included a six and nine fours.

Welch departed after a spectacular catch at deep midwicket by Harry Tector off a Mark Adair delivery.

Before the last-wicket heroics, the only notable Zimbabwe partnership on Friday was 46 runs from Welch and Wessly Madhevere for the fourth wicket.

Quick Barry McCarthy was the most successful Irish bowler, taking 4-75. His victims included openers Takudzwanashe Kaitano (26) and Ben Curran (12).

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Andy McBrine struck a Test-best 90* as Ireland recovered from a dismal start to post 260 all out on the first day of a one-off match against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.

Zimbabwe were 72-1 in reply at the close – 188 runs behind – with debutant Nick Welch (33) and Takudzwanashe Kaitano (26) both unbeaten.

With Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani in superb form, the tourists, who won the toss and chose to bat first at Queens Sports Club, were reeling at 31-5 when McBrine joined Lorcan Tucker.

After seeing off Muzarabani, who took four of the first five including captain Andy Balbirnie (nine) and star batsman Paul Stirling (10) and finished with 7-58, they stabilised the innings with a sixth-wicket partnership of 51.

When Tucker was bowled off an inside edge by Trevor Gwandu for 33, McBrine knuckled down again with Mark Adair to add 127 for the seventh wicket.

Adair took the fight to the Zimbabwe bowlers, reaching his 50 from 48 balls.

He clubbed 13 fours in his 78 before getting an outside edge to a Muzarabani delivery that flew to wicketkeeper Nyasha Mayavo.

McBrine, whose previous best Test innings was an unbeaten 86, hit 12 fours off 132 balls before running out of partners and Ireland were all out in 56.4 overs.

Zimbabwe suffered two pre-match blows with Sean Williams absent through injury and captain Craig Ervine withdrawing for the birth of his child.

Test debutant Johnathan Campbell replaced Ervine as skipper while Wesley Madhevere, not in the original squad, was also called into the XI.

Ireland managed to make one strike with the ball, when Ben Curran was caught behind off Barry McCarthy, but Welch and Kaitano then saw Zimbabwe safely to the close.

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