Zimbabwe will square off with Ireland in the 2nd of the 3-match ODI series on Sunday. The hosts Zimbabwe made a clinical start with a comprehensive 49-run victory in the 1st ODI to take a 1-0 lead. On the other hand, Ireland lost control in the crucial periods, as they were guilty of dropping catches, and while of some of the unfortunate dismissals proved costly for them.
Bennett’s blazing ton condemns Ireland to defeat
Details 🔽https://t.co/9mEOvA4hR8
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) February 15, 2025
Match Details:
Zimbabwe vs Ireland, 2nd ODI
Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare
Date & Time: February 16th at 1:00 PM IST and 9:30 AM Local Time
Live Streaming: FanCode
What is the Pitch Report for ZIM vs IRE, 2nd ODI?
It’s a balanced surface that offers everything for the batters and bowlers. The batters can trust the bounce and manufacture their shots, while a change of pace will reward the bowlers. There is a chance of the wicket slowing down as the game develops, hence batting first is a better option.
Recent form:
Zimbabwe: Won, Lost, Lost, NR, Lost
Ireland: Lost, Won, Lost, Lost, Lost
ZIM vs IRE, 2nd ODI Probable Winners:
Ireland are expected to win this match.
What is the Expected, Probable Playing XIs for ZIM vs IRE, 2nd ODI?
Zimbabwe
Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Craig Ervine (c), Sikandar Raza, Wessly Madhevere, Johnathan Campbell, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Wellington Maskadza, Newman Nyamhuri, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani.
Ireland
Andy Balbirnie, Paul Stirling (c), Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Andy McBrine, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little.
Brian Bennett writes himself into the record books with a blistering 169 off 163. For that, he is the #ZIMvIRE first ODI Player of the Match.#ZIMvIRE #Travel&ExperienceZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/kZTWCRZNeh
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) February 14, 2025
Injury Updates:
Currently, the players from both squads are doing well and fit. It will be added when there is an update.
What are the Fantasy Cricket Top Picks, Players for ZIM vs IRE, 2nd ODI?
Top Pick – Batter
Top Pick – All-Rounder
Sikandar Raza didn’t have the best of matches for his standards in the 1st ODI, where he made just 8 runs and picked up a wicket at an economy of 5.4.
Top Pick – Bowler
Whenever the chips were down, Blessing Muzarabani provided the breakthroughs for Zimbabwe at the right time in the series opener where he finished with the figures of 4 for 51.
Making their #ChampionsTrophy debut, Afghanistan will be eager to make a statement on the big stage 💪
A glimpse into how Hashmatullah Shahidi’s side is placed going into the tournament ⬇️https://t.co/86P5Bxfrez
— ICC (@ICC) February 15, 2025
Top Pick – Wicketkeeper
Lorcan Tucker played with positive intent in the 1st ODI but got unlucky as he dragged the ball onto the stumps when he was on 31.
X-Factor:
Craig Ervine played cautiously at the start of the 1st ODI and then took the aggressive route to score 66 runs from 61 balls which included with 3 fours and 4 maximums.
What are the Fantasy Suggested Teams for ZIM vs IRE, 2nd ODI?
1. Lorcan Tucker, Craig Ervine, Andy Balbirnie, Ben Curran, Brian Bennett (vc), Sikandar Raza, Andy McBrine, Curtis Campher (c), Mark Adair, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani.
2. Lorcan Tucker, Craig Ervine, Harry Tector, Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza (c), Andy McBrine, Wessly Madhevere, Curtis Campher, Mark Adair (vc), Josh Little, Blessing Muzarabani.
All the details on how you can watch the #ChampionsTrophy 2025 across the globe 📺 👀https://t.co/0mCzdMw90n
— ICC (@ICC) February 15, 2025
Pre-Match Analysis:
Zimbabwe pulled off a memorable 49-run victory in the 1st ODI, thanks to their combined all-round efforts. They proved Ireland’s decision to bowl first wrong with a splendid batting show as Brian Bennett, who was promoted up the order, played the knock of a lifetime, scoring 169 runs. He got much-needed support from his skipper Craig Ervine, who added 66 runs at a good pace. At the end of 50 overs, they managed 299 for 5. In the defense, the front-line pacers Blessing Muzarabani ( 4 wickets) and Richard Ngarava (3 wickets) made the difference to bowl out the visitors for 250 in 46 overs. Wessly Madhevere, who just bowled 2 overs got rid of Harry Tector and Mark Adair.
Ireland gave their all in the series opener but wasn’t enough in the conditions that required one step ahead of the opposition. Six of their batters got the start, scoring more than 30 runs but the timing of dismissals went wrong. Chasing 299, they bundled out for 250 with still 4 overs left. With the ball, they weren’t that effective during the middle overs and offered runs with ease. Frontline seamer Josh Little bowled the costliest spell in the game (1 for 75 in 9 overs), which added more to their misery.
As a team, they need to play a good brand of cricket to remain alive in the series.
