A century partnership between player of the series Harry Tector and George Dockrell eased the tourists to victory by eight balls to spare the hosts 140 for six.
Admittedly, it was against a Zimbabwe side that failed to qualify for the World Cup after losing to Uganda (ranked 22nd) and they were without their star all-rounder Sikandar Raza, who was suspended for the final two matches of the series due to an altercation. With Josh Little and Curtis Camper in Game 1 on Thursday.
Add to that the injuries to the second and third best batsmen, Shaun Williams and former Lisburn pro Craig Irvine, and it was an open target for Paul Stirling to win his first series as white-ball captain.
So, despite coming home on Saturday with two balls to spare and losing three wickets in the powerplay on Sunday, he was a satisfied captain.
“After losing such a difficult first game, you can go downhill very quickly, but we did our best to come back. We’ve been here for over a week and after that kind of preparation time, you don’t have any excuses anymore,” Sterling said. “So, I’m happy.” “By crossing the line.”
Having won the toss, Little batted his first ball and Gareth Delaney took two wickets in four balls to reduce Zimbabwe to 44 for three, but for the second day in a row, acting captain Ryan Burl and Clive Madande held off Ireland, this time with a partnership of 55.
It took Craig Young to finish off the stand, and when Little caught Pearl at mid-on the next ball, Ireland were in control.
But what was worrying was that the first three were all back to the pavilion with just 30 runs on the board, and when Curtis Campher followed, it was 37 for four after seven overs.
But Tector and Dockrell wouldn’t move. Tector’s 54 off 45 balls took his series average to 63 and Dockrell was named man of the match for 49 off 32; He hit three fours and three sixes.
The first of three ODI matches between the two teams will be on Wednesday.
grades:
Zimbabwe 140-6 (R Pearl 36, B Bennett 27, C Madande 27, G Delaney 2-8, G Little 2-21, C Young 2-27)
Ireland 141-4 (H Tector 54 not out, G Dockrell 49 not out, A Balbirnie 13)
Ireland won by six wickets and the series 2-1