ZIMBABWE had to watch as Ireland took silverware following their six-wicket win in the third and final T20I to claim the three-match series 2-1 at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
Gorge Dockrell was named player of the match for his unbeaten 39 off 32 balls while Harry Tector bagged player of the series award and batter of the series, much to the delight of his captain, Paul Stirling.
"Delighted to get over the line. After losing such a tight game in the first game, you can fall apart quickly but we did well to come back," said Stirling.
"We have been here for well over a week and after that kind of preparation time you don't have any excuses left. It's also a good thing to be still winning games."
The locals led 1-0 after winning the first T20 by one wicket on the last ball on Thursday night but Ireland levelled the series 1-1 with two balls to spare.
Zimbabwe T20I captain, Sikandar Raza, punished by the ICC for going ultra vires the global cricket body's code of conduct, was ruled out for the last two T20Is, while stand-in captain, Sean Williams, walked out with a niggle while fielding during the second game.
Williams was also ruled out of the decider prompting all-rounder, Ryan Burl, to take care of business in the absence of his predecessors.
Burl bemoaned Raza's ban and the injuries within his camp after Zimbabwe posted 140/6 which was chased down easily by Ireland reaching 141/4 in 18.4 overs.
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Bulls to charge into Zimbabwe gold stocks
- Ndiraya concerned as goals dry up
- Letters: How solar power is transforming African farms
Keep Reading
"To be honest, I really enjoyed the captaincy, but it's not ideal when you have to shuffle like that, especially with three experienced players out," said Burl.
"There's been some good performances here and there in patches going into the longer format. We just need to extend those and hopefully we can win it in the longer format."
Zimbabwe, who are on a downward trajectory since failing to qualify for next year's T20 World Cup to be co-hosted by West Indies and USA, have little time to map out a winning formula as action returns on Wednesday with the first match of the three-match One Day Internationals at Harare Sports Club.
The second ODI is scheduled for Friday and the final match on Sunday.
Burl top scored for Zimbabwe with 36 runs, Brian Bennett and Clive Madande chipped in with identical 27 runs each. Blessing Muzarabani, Brandon Mavuta, Wellington Masakadza and Richard Ngarava all picked a wicket each.
