Pakistan-born Sikandar Raza’s all-round show helped Zimbabwe tame Ireland in Monday’s second match.
Raza first hit a 48-ball 82 to help his team post 174/7 and then scalped the wicket of George Dockrell (24), who was starting to look dangerous, as Zimbabwe won by 31 runs. Fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani (3/23) too played a key role in restricting the Irish to 143/9.
For Raza, this was his third successive T20I fifty, and fifth overall, this year. He has scored 598 runs from 16 innings this year at an average of 42.71.
“The goal we brought was to get into the Super 12 and take some of the big teams and see where we go. So to have this victory is certainly humbling, exciting and happy as well,” Raza, 36, said.
“We have a very tough game against the Caribbean boys in 48 hours’ time and that’s what I’m looking forward to now,” he added.
Brief scores: Zimbabwe 174/7 in 20 overs (Sikandar Raza 82; Josh Little 3/24). Ireland 143/9 in 20 overs (Blessing Muzarabani 3/23). Zimbabwe won by 31 runs.