No result: Zimbabwe 121 for 6 (Mavuta 28*, Kamunhukamwe 28, Gumbie 28, Hume 2-7, Young 2-33) vs Ireland
RAIN came to Zimbabwe's rescue at the Harare Sports club yesterday, forcing a washout after Ireland had reduced the hosts to 121 for 6 in the first ODI.
The new-look Chevrons were thrust into batting after skipper Sikandar Raza lost the toss.
Ireland captain Paul Stirling's decision to field first looked to be paying dividends as his side was cruising smoothly before the rains prematurely ended the contest.
Following a 2-1 series defeat against the same opposition last Sunday in a T20 series having led 1-0, the least Zimbabwe needed was a defeat in the opener as it could have negatively impacted on the confidence of the youthful home side.
Opener Tinashe Kamunhukamwe provided a glimpse of entertainment in a 15-ball for 28, but left the crease in the sixth over with Zimbabwe on 32/1.
Innocent Kaia was out for five after being caught by George Dockrell off the bowling of Craig Young.
Josh Little, fresh from being penalised by the ICC over his altercation with Raza last week, came back to haunt the all-rounder as he had the Chevrons skipper caught behind by wicketkeeper, Lorcan Tucker, for 15 runs in the 18th over.
- Eagles complete domestic double with T20 crown
- Masakadza picked in Zim Cyber City Zim Afro T10 Players’ Draft
- Takashinga show bravery in NPL win
- 'TK' bounces back into Chevrons’ fold
Keep Reading
Joylord Gumbie's anchoring role up the top order came to a halt after he was run out for 28 while Ireland's Young sent Ryan Burl back for a golden duck, caught by Tucker.
Clive Madande weighed in with 11 runs, while Brandon Mavuta was unbeaten on 28 from 22 balls before lightning forced players off the field. A heavy downpour soon followed, forcing the empires to call off the match.
Irish pair of Graham Hume and Young picked two wickets each while Little ended with one scalp.
The second and third ODI scheduled for tomorrow and Sunday at the same venue are also expected to be affected by rains.
