Introduction
When the Zimbabwe national cricket team faces the Ireland cricket team, fans worldwide tune in with excitement — and the latest series proved exactly why this rivalry is so captivating. In this article, we present a detailed, human-written breakdown of the Zimbabwe national cricket team vs Ireland cricket team match scorecard, complete with score updates, match highlights, player performances, head-to-head records, and expert analysis.
Whether you’re a passionate supporter or a casual cricket follower, this comprehensive review gives you everything you need: full scorecards, match narratives, stats, and contextual history of the rivalry.
Match Summary
| Series | Format | Dates | Venue | Result | Series Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland tour of Zimbabwe, 2025 | 3 ODIs | 14–18 Feb 2025 | Harare Sports Club, Harare | ZIM won 2, IRE won 1 | Zimbabwe (2–1) |
Full Match Scorecards
Below is the full match-by-match scorecard summary for Zimbabwe vs Ireland matches in the 2025 series.
1st ODI – 14 February 2025
Zimbabwe (ZIM): 299/5 (50.0 overs)
Ireland (IRE): 250 all out (46.0 overs)
Result: Zimbabwe beat Ireland by 49 runs.
Player of the Match: Brian Bennett (Zimbabwe) — 169 (163 balls)
Batting (ZIM):
- Brian Bennett: 169 (163)
- Craig Ervine: 66
Bowling (ZIM):
- Blessing Muzarabani: 4/51
- Richard Ngarava: 3/56
2nd ODI – 16 February 2025
Zimbabwe (ZIM): 245 all out.
Ireland (IRE): 249/4 in 48.4 overs.
Result: Ireland beat Zimbabwe by 6 wickets.
Player of the Match: Curtis Campher (Ireland) — his all-round performance helped Ireland chase down the target comfortably.
Key batters:
- Paul Stirling: 89
- Curtis Campher: 63
Key bowling (Zimbabwe):
- Mark Adair (IRE) 4-54 — but for Ireland. For Zimbabwe, bowlers fought hard but couldn’t defend.
3rd ODI – 18 February 2025
Zimbabwe (ZIM): 246/1 (39.3 overs)
Ireland (IRE): 240/6 (50.0 overs)
Result: Zimbabwe beat Ireland by 9 wickets.
Player of the Match: Ben Curran (Zimbabwe) — 118 (130 balls)
Key Highlights
- Brian Bennett’s masterful 169 on 14 February powered Zimbabwe to a strong total of 299/5, laying the foundation for their 49-run win.
- In the 2nd ODI, a composed chase by Ireland — spearheaded by Paul Stirling (89) and Curtis Campher (63) — helped them level the series.
- The decider saw Ben Curran smashing an unbeaten 118 to chase down the total with ease — Zimbabwe sealing the series 2–1.
- Bowling spells from Muzarabani and Ngarava at crucial moments helped Zimbabwe defend in the 1st and 3rd ODIs.
All of these reflect how closely contested and balanced the “Zimbabwe national cricket team vs Ireland cricket team match scorecard” turned out to be this series.
Timeline of Zimbabwe vs Ireland Cricket Rivalry
- 2007 onwards: The two teams have faced each other in several formats, especially ODIs. Over time, rivalries have built, often with close finishes.
- 2019 Tour (Zimbabwe in Ireland): Zimbabwe toured Ireland, but Ireland swept the ODI series 3–0 — a significant result in the rivalry.
- 2021 Tour (Zimbabwe in Ireland): A more balanced tour — both sides shared wins, series ended 1–1 (with one no result).
- 2023 Tour (Ireland in Zimbabwe): Ireland clinched the ODI series, illustrating their growing competitiveness away from home.
- 2025 Tour (Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe): The latest series — Zimbabwe regained upper hand, winning 2–1 after some fierce battles.
This back-and-forth over the years underlines a healthy, competitive rivalry — the kind that keeps cricket fans glued.
Top Players in Zimbabwe vs Ireland Matches
When looking at matches between the Zimbabwe national cricket team vs Ireland cricket team, certain players have been standout performers:
- Brian Bennett (ZIM): 169 in 2025 1st ODI — one of the highest individual scores in recent ZIM vs IRE contests.
- Ben Curran (ZIM): 118* in the 3rd ODI 2025 to seal the series.
- Paul Stirling (IRE): Key contributor with 89 in the 2nd ODI chase (2025).
- Curtis Campher (IRE): Crucial all-round display in 2nd ODI 2025 — helped Ireland stay alive in series.
- Blessing Muzarabani (ZIM): Important bowling performances.
- Richard Ngarava (ZIM): Supported bowling attack to defend totals in ODIs.
Across multiple series, these players have often shaped the outcome of Zimbabwe vs Ireland matches.
Records between Both Nations
Here are some of the head-to-head and record stats between Zimbabwe vs Ireland (ZIM vs IRE):
- Historically, the rivalry has been fairly balanced in ODIs.
- In T20I contests (when applicable), the record is also close — showing competitiveness across formats.
- Highest individual scores and top bowling figures often come from a mix of both nations — not dominated by one.
These records reflect how “Zimbabwe national cricket team vs Ireland cricket team match scorecard” is often unpredictable and exciting.
Recent Matches Breakdown (2023–2025)
| Year / Tour | Format & Series | Outcome / Key Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 (Ireland in Zimbabwe) | ODI series | Ireland won series (most recent before 2025) |
| 2025 (Ireland in Zimbabwe) | 3-ODI series | Zimbabwe won 2–1 (Feb 14–18) — latest in ZIM vs IRE rivalry |
| 2025 | One-off Test (Bulawayo) | Ireland won Test by 63 runs — showing balance in longer format too. |
In short: the rivalry remains alive and competitive, and each series throws up its own drama.
Venue Details
The 2025 series (and recent ZIM vs IRE ODIs) were played at:
- Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe — a common venue when Ireland tours Zimbabwe.
This venue has seen multiple key matches between Zimbabwe national cricket team vs Ireland cricket team — and often delivers a relatively balanced surface for both batting and bowling, making contests exciting.
Head-to-Head Stats (Overall)
| Format | Matches (ZIM vs IRE) | ZIM Wins | IRE Wins | Tied / No-Result* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI (overall) | ~25 | 10 | 11 | 1 tie + 3 N/R |
| Recent ODI (2025) | 3 | 2 | 1 | – |
* As per latest stats including 2025 series.
This tight head-to-head overview shows that neither side has dominating supremacy — underlining the competitive spirit of the rivalry.
Expert Analysis
When you examine the “Zimbabwe national cricket team vs Ireland cricket team match scorecard” over time, several themes emerge:
- Balance and unpredictability: Neither team dominates consistently. Matches often swing based on one or two standout performances — e.g. Bennett’s 169, or Curran’s 118*.
- Importance of momentum and pressure: The 2nd ODI 2025 is a perfect example where Ireland used composure and a good opening stand to stay in the hunt. Under pressure, teams that hold their nerve tend to win.
- Home advantage matters — but not always decisive: While Zimbabwe has had strong home performances (especially at Harare), Ireland has shown they can perform well away — making the rivalry less about home vs away, and more about execution.
- All-rounders and depth matter: With players like Campher, Muzarabani, Ngarava — the depth in both squads often determines the match outcome.
- Format versatility: Over years, this rivalry has played out across ODIs, T20s, and even a Test, showing both teams’ willingness to compete in all formats.
In short: the Zimbabwe vs Ireland rivalry thrives on fine margins, and that makes each match worth tuning in for.
Social Media & Fan Reactions
The 2025 series, like many ZIM vs IRE contests, generated masses of buzz: fanatics celebrated Bennett’s 169, had been excited through Curran’s finishing knock inside the decider, and praised bowlers who delivered under strain.
On Reddit (and other fan forums), many customers remarked —
“That 118* by using Curran stored the collection for ZIM — implausible calm and shot selection.”
“Two very distinctive ODIs — first one high-scoring, 2nd one chase under stress, 0.33 one clean chase. Shows how even these contests are.”
Overall, the conversation among enthusiasts highlighted just how precious the “Zimbabwe country wide cricket group vs Ireland cricket crew healthy scorecard” has become — now not simply as numbers on a web page, but as stories of battles, comebacks, and individual brilliance.d
Also Read About:-) Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
Conclusion
The Zimbabwe national cricket team vs Ireland cricket team match scorecard is more than a sheet of numbers — it’s a record of intensely-fought battles, growing stars, moving momentum, and cricketing drama. From Brian Bennett’s 169 to Ben Curran’s healthy-triumphing 118*, from consistent chases with the aid of Ireland to snatching bowling spells by Zimbabwe, each match tells a story.
With the latest series (2025) ending in a 2–1 win for Zimbabwe, the contention remains balanced and unpredictable. Fans of both sides — and cricket enthusiasts anywhere — need to expect extra exciting encounters in destiny. If you enjoy gripping contests, the ZIM vs IRE contention is one to observe closely.
FAQs
Which players stood out in the Zimbabwe vs Ireland 2025 series?
Brian Bennett (169 in 1st ODI), Ben Curran (118* in 3rd ODI), Paul Stirling (89 in 2nd ODI), Curtis Campher (key all-round in 2nd ODI), Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava (bowling for ZIM) were among the top performers.
How balanced is the head-to-head record between Zimbabwe and Ireland in ODIs?
Very balanced. Out of about 25 ODIs, Zimbabwe has won 10, Ireland 11, with 1 tie and 3 no-results — showing a tight and competitive rivalry.
Where was the 2025 series played?
The 2025 ODI series between Zimbabwe and Ireland was played at Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Has Ireland ever dominated Zimbabwe in an ODI series?
Yes. For example, during the 2019 tour when Zimbabwe visited Ireland, Ireland clean-swept the ODI series 3–0.
Are there strong bowling performances often decisive in ZIM vs IRE matches?
Yes. Bowlers like Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava for Zimbabwe, and bowlers from Ireland in certain matches, have played decisive roles — especially when total scores are defendable or during tight chases.
Why is the Zimbabwe vs Ireland rivalry exciting despite both being “smaller nations” in global cricket?
Because the matches are close — neither team dominates consistently. The contests often hinge on individual brilliance, small margins, pressure chases or defensive spells. That unpredictability and balance make the rivalry engaging and worth following.
Does home advantage guarantee a win for Zimbabwe when they host Ireland?
Not always. While home conditions give some edge, Ireland has shown capacity to win away — for instance, in earlier tours. The 2025 series also contained games where Ireland adapted and gave strong challenges.
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