Ireland skipper Andy Balbirnie won the toss and elected to bowl against Zimbabwe as the teams began their Twenty20 World Cup campaigns in Hobart on Monday.
The Irish team went with three frontline seamers including Mark Adair, Josh Little and Barry McCarthy in the second match of the day after Scotland registered a shock win over two-time champions West Indies in Hobart.
Fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani returns for Zimbabwe, who are led by Craig Ervine, after an injury.
The teams will each play three first-round matches.
IRELAND:Andrew Balbirnie (capt), Paul Stirling, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Harry Tector, George Dockrell, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Simi Singh, Barry McCarthy, Joshua Little
ZIMBABWE:Regis Chakabva (wk), Craig Ervine (capt), Wesley Madhevere, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Ryan