1:10 pm The visiting side has had a two-way innings. They opened the inning slowly, with the run rate hovering around three. Ireland lost their two in-form batters, Stirling and Campher, in the opening hour of play. Later, Balbirnie and Tector gradually rebuilt the innings in the middle overs. They both scored fifty, with Balbirnie being dismissed for 64 runs. Tector was dismissed the very next ball after reaching fifty with a reckless pull shot that went straight to mid-on. Zimbabwe bowlers bowled superbly with the new ball and in the middle overs, not allowing any loose deliveries. However, there were a few missed opportunities. However, there were a few missed opportunities. Campbell missed a tough opportunity at the gully early in the innings, while Madhevere dropped a straightforward catch at backward point later. A 57-run partnership off 52 balls between Adair and Tucker gave Ireland some much-needed relief in the end. Tucker batted brilliantly, sustaining his strike rate, and scored his fifth ODI fifty. Zimbabwe bowlers lost some line and length in the later half of the innings, but they did well to keep them under 250. Gwandu and Ngarava both took two wickets, while Muzarabani and Masakadza each had one. It will be an intriguing run chase on this pitch, and we will return with the second innings action after the break!

Paul Watson: "This reads like an old school ODI, good on yah Zim and Ireland."

Trevor Gwandu: "It was difficult but I tried to hold on to the line and length. (Target runs) That's pretty much close to what we discussed. We just stuck to our processes. And then, when we bat, we just continue the processes and play well. (Lessons learned) Just bowling the correct lengths and adapting quickly to the conditions available there."

Zimbabwe need 241 runs to win the match

David : "Thumbs up taunting or thumbs up nice innings? In assuming the latter given the good nature IRL and ZIM always play with." Definitely a thumbs up for the wonderful innings. Great cricket all around!