Zimbabwe put in by Ireland on their return to the big stage

Zimbabwe

Toss Ireland chose to bowl vs Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe were asked to bat first in what Samuel Badree called “frigid” weather on their comeback to the big time. They have not played in an ICC event since 2016, missing out on two T20 World Cups and the fifty-over event in the interim, but won the qualifying competition to secure a spot at this tournament.

Craig Ervine was satisfied despite losing the toss, saying he wanted to bat first anyway, having noted that scores have proved difficult to chase down so far. Dew as the evenings progresses may also become a factor, but perhaps not as much as spin; Preston Mommsen is expecting offspinner Sikandar Raza to be particularly effective. Zimbabwe also have the offspin of Wessly Madhevere, the left-arm spin of Sean Williams and the legspin of Ryan Burl to call on.

Ireland’s slower bowling will be headlined by offspinner Simi Singh but they will also challenge Zimbabwe with their quicks. Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy and Josh Little, who finished as the joint second-highest wicket-taker in the Hundred, have all been named in the XI.

Ireland missed out on the Super 12s at last year’s T20 World Cup and beat only Netherlands, losing to Sri Lanka and Namibia. None of those sides are in their group in this time around.

Ireland: 1 Andy Balbirnie (capt), 2 Paul Stirling, 3 Lorcan Tucker (wk), 4 Harry Tector, 5 Curtis Campher, 6 George Dockrell, 7 Gareth Delany, 8 Mark Adair, 9 Simi Singh, 10 Barry McCarthy, 11 Josh Little

Zimbabwe: 1 Regis Chakabva (wk), 2 Craig Ervine (capt), 3 Wessly Madhevere, 4 Sean Williams, 5 Sikandar Raza, 6 Milton Shumba, 7 Ryan Burl, 8 Luke Jongwe, 9 Tendai Chatara , 10 Richard Ngarava, 11 Blessing Muzarabani

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