Cricket

Ireland's historic Test victory over Zimbabwe was sealed on the fourth day at Belfast, marking their first home Test win and their second consecutive Test triumph.After being reduced to 21 for 5 on the third evening, Ireland's Lorcan Tucker and Andy McBrine staged a remarkable recovery with a 96-run partnership. Tucker scored a gritty 56, while McBrine remained unbeaten on 55, guiding Ireland to a four-wicket victory.The morning session on the fourth day proved decisive as Ireland capitalized on the favorable batting conditions. Tucker and McBrine attacked the Zimbabwean bowlers, exploiting the gaps in the outfield and punishing loose deliveries.Zimbabwe's hopes of a comeback were dashed as Ngarava and Muzarabani, who had wreaked havoc on the third evening, failed to replicate their performance. The Irish batters remained disciplined and played with confidence, gradually chipping away at the target.McBrine's all-round performance was crucial for Ireland. In addition to his half-century, he also claimed four wickets in Zimbabwe's second innings, including the key wicket of Craig Ervine.Zimbabwe's batting had been led by Tadiwanashe Marumani's 74 in the first innings and Ryan Burl's 57 in the second. However, Ireland's bowlers, led by McBrine and Mark Adair, kept the Zimbabwean batsmen in check.Ireland's victory is a testament to their resilience and determination. After a disappointing start to the Test, they fought back admirably to secure a memorable win.

Ireland Set to Host Zimbabwe in Historic Test Debut at Civil Service Cricket GroundThe picturesque Civil Service Cricket Ground in Belfast, Northern Ireland, will make its Test debut on Thursday as Ireland welcomes Zimbabwe for the ninth Test match in their history. Ireland, who have won only one of their previous eight Tests, will be aiming to secure a second consecutive victory after their triumph over Afghanistan in March.However, Ireland will be without their star bowler Josh Little, who has been allowed to develop his skills in franchise leagues around the world. In his absence, Mark Adair and Barry McCarthy will lead the Irish attack. For Adair, a native of Northern Ireland, playing a Test in Belfast holds special significance.Zimbabwe, on the other hand, are facing one of their lowest points in international cricket. They have not participated in recent ODI and T20I World Cups and are not part of the World Test Championship. With only two Test wins since 2013, Zimbabwe will need to rely on the experience of captain Craig Ervine and Sean Williams.One player to watch for Zimbabwe is Blessing Muzarabani, a tall fast bowler who has impressed in white-ball cricket. His ability to generate movement in the air and off the pitch could pose a challenge to Ireland's batters.Ireland is expected to make one change from their victory against Afghanistan, with left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys likely to replace Theo van Woerkom. Zimbabwe, with ten new players in their squad, could include Brian Bennett and Johnathan Campbell in their XI.The weather forecast for Belfast predicts rain throughout the five-day Test, which could make batting conditions challenging. However, the venue has been a high-scoring ground in limited-overs matches.

Zimbabwe has announced its Test squad for the upcoming one-off match against Ireland, scheduled for July 25-29 in Belfast. The squad features several new faces, including Clive Madande, Brian Bennett, and Johnathan Campbell, who have all been part of the ongoing T20I series against India. Joylord Gumbie, who is yet to make his Test debut, has also been included in the 15-man squad.Zimbabwe last played a Test match in February 2023 against West Indies in Bulawayo. They are not part of the ICC's World Test Championship and will be traveling to Ireland for their first-ever Test match against the Irish.Craig Ervine will lead the Zimbabwean team, while Sean Williams, who missed the West Indies series due to injury, makes a comeback. Williams, along with Tendai Chatara, Blessing Muzarabani, Victor Nyauchi, and Richard Ngarava, will provide the team with much-needed experience.Of the new faces, Bennett and Campbell have only played T20Is so far, while Madande has appeared in both ODIs and T20Is. Ervine and Williams are the most experienced Test players in the squad, with 20 and 14 appearances, respectively.Ireland, on the other hand, has only played eight Tests since making their debut in 2018. They lost their first seven Tests before securing their first win against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi earlier this year.Zimbabwe's squad for the one-off Test in Ireland:* Craig Ervine (capt)* Brian Bennett* Johnathan Campbell* Tendai Chatara* Tanaka Chivanga* Joylord Gumbie (wk)* Roy Kaia* Clive Madande (wk)* Wellington Masakadza* Prince Masvaure* Blessing Muzarabani* Dion Myers* Richard Ngarava* Victor Nyauchi* Sean Williams

Dion Myers' return to international cricket has been a revelation for the Zimbabwean batter. After taking a break to pursue his university studies in the UK, Myers has returned with a renewed perspective and a hunger to succeed.In his third international innings upon his return, Myers struck an unbeaten 65 off 49 balls against a formidable Indian side. It was a performance that showcased his talent and determination, and it has given Zimbabwe fans hope for the future."Over the last few years, there's been a lot of self-introspection," Myers said. "Watching a lot of cricket, along with my own training, helps you see what you can achieve or what you can do better to give to the team. The time away from the game was a blessing in disguise."Myers' absence from the Zimbabwean team has coincided with the retirement of several senior players, including Sean Williams and Craig Ervine. This has created an opportunity for young players like Myers and Clive Madande to step up and take on leadership roles.In the third T20I against India, Myers and Madande formed a crucial 77-run partnership that helped Zimbabwe recover from a precarious position. Myers was particularly impressive against spin, taking Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, and Abhishek Sharma for a combined 44 off 31 balls."It was the sort of wicket where you couldn't really come in straightaway and start going at 150-200 strike rate," Myers said. "I just tried to play it my way, hitting it on the ground early on, and as the innings goes on, you pick more areas of the ground."Myers' return to form has been a welcome boost for Zimbabwe, who are looking to rebuild their team after a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign. With his talent, experience, and leadership qualities, Myers is poised to play a key role in Zimbabwe's future success.

Ahead of the third T20I against Zimbabwe, the Indian cricket team, their families, and support staff embarked on a wildlife sanctuary tour in Harare. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared pictures of the visit on its official Twitter handle, highlighting the collaboration with Zimbabwe Cricket and Zimbabwe Tourism.The Indian squad has been bolstered by the addition of Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, and Yashasvi Jaiswal for the remainder of the series. The trio was instrumental in India's T20 World Cup triumph in the USA and the West Indies.Due to their delayed return from Barbados, the BCCI had initially included Sai Sudharsan, Jitesh Sharma, and Harshit Rana in India's squad for the first two T20Is. Sudharshan made his T20I debut in the second match but did not get the opportunity to bat.Under the leadership of Shubman Gill, the Indian team registered a commanding 100-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second T20I, leveling the five-match series 1-1 after the hosts' stunning win in the series opener.The third T20I between India and Zimbabwe will be played in Harare on Wednesday, July 10. The Indian team will be looking to maintain their momentum and secure a series victory, while Zimbabwe will be determined to continue their impressive form and upset the visitors once again.

India's five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe has taken an exciting turn after the African nation's surprising victory in the opening match. However, India bounced back with a dominant 100-run win in the second match, thanks to Abhishek Sharma's six-filled century.Former Zimbabwe cricketer Hamilton Masakadza believes his team has the potential to upset India in the remaining three matches. He highlights the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket and Zimbabwe's use of the format to develop young players. Masakadza also praises the talent of the young Indian team led by Shubman Gill, but notes that they are still hungry to prove themselves.Regarding Zimbabwe captain Sikander Raza, Masakadza commends his aggressive and positive approach. He believes Raza's leadership will inspire the team to put pressure on India and achieve positive results. Masakadza also emphasizes the importance of other teams touring Zimbabwe to provide their players with valuable experience.He expresses optimism about Zimbabwe's chances in the 2026 T20 World Cup, despite their recent failure to qualify. Masakadza acknowledges the team's shortcomings but believes they are learning from their mistakes and improving.Masakadza reflects on the decline of Zimbabwe cricket, attributing it to poor decision-making and a lack of experience. However, he is confident that the current group of players is on the right path to rectify these issues.He praises Indian batting sensation Rinku Singh for his power-hitting abilities and expects him to make a significant impact on the tour. Masakadza also acknowledges the contributions of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja, who recently retired from T20Is. He expresses gratitude for their memorable performances and looks forward to their continued presence in other formats.

India vs Zimbabwe 2nd T20I: Team India Aims to Bounce Back After Shock LossAfter a disappointing 13-run defeat in the first T20I against Zimbabwe, Team India, led by Shubman Gill, will be eager to make amends in the second match of the three-match series. The match will be played at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday, July 7, starting at 4:30 PM IST.With the first two T20Is being held on consecutive days, some changes to the Indian squad are expected. Harshit Rana and B Sai Sudharsan, who were included in the squad for only the first two matches, will be hoping to make their T20I debuts for India. Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel, who failed to impress in the first T20I, will also be looking to make a mark in the second match.India will be keen to avoid a series defeat against Zimbabwe, who have been in impressive form in recent months. The hosts stunned India in the first T20I, thanks to a brilliant all-round performance from Sikandar Raza.India's batting lineup, which includes the likes of Gill, Ishan Kishan, and Sanju Samson, will need to step up and deliver in the second T20I. The bowlers, led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, will also need to be more disciplined and consistent.Zimbabwe, on the other hand, will be confident after their victory in the first match. They will be looking to continue their momentum and secure a series win against a strong Indian team.The match will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network and streamed live on the SonyLiv app and website.

India's Future Stars Embark on Zimbabwe Tour, Seeking OpportunitiesAs India basks in the glory of their T20 World Cup triumph, the nation's attention turns to the future. A promising squad of 15 young players, led by Shubman Gill, has arrived in Zimbabwe to lay the groundwork for their own potential future success.With spots up for grabs in the national team, several players will be eager to make their mark. Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Rinku Singh are all vying for opening slots, while Riyan Parag and Washington Sundar aim to solidify their roles as all-rounders.Zimbabwe, too, sees this series as an opportunity to upset the newly crowned champions and showcase their own talent. Hosting India brings financial benefits and a global audience, providing a platform for players to attract attention from franchise tournaments worldwide.Shubman Gill and Sikandar Raza: In the SpotlightShubman Gill, despite a disappointing IPL campaign as captain, has the chance to lead by example in Zimbabwe. His aggressive batting style will be under scrutiny as India seeks to implement a more attacking approach.Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe's captain, has endured a rollercoaster of form in recent months. After a suspension and a string of low scores, he has regained his touch with a match-winning half-century against Bangladesh. He will be determined to inspire his team to a strong performance.Team News and DebutsIndia's squad is a work in progress, with several potential debuts on the horizon. Abhishek Sharma is confirmed to open the batting alongside Gill, while Dhruv Jurel or Jitesh Sharma could make their international debuts as wicketkeepers.Zimbabwe is also searching for new talent, with Wessly Madhevere and Brandon Mavuta returning after serving suspensions. Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani are among the other players who could make their T20I debuts.Pitch and ConditionsHarare's first T20I of the year is expected to produce a low-scoring affair. Recent matches have seen first-innings totals below 150, and spinners have been more effective than fast bowlers.Stats and Trivia* India has a 6-2 record against Zimbabwe in T20Is.* Sikandar Raza needs 53 runs to become the first Zimbabwean to score 2000 runs in T20Is.

Former South African fast bowler Charl Langeveldt has been appointed as the bowling coach of the Zimbabwe men's national cricket team. The appointment is part of a major overhaul of the coaching staff following Zimbabwe's failure to qualify for the T20 World Cup in 2023.Langeveldt, who has previously worked with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and South Africa, will join head coach Justin Sammons, assistant coach Dion Ebrahim, fielding coach Stuart Matsikenyeri, strategic performance coach Ravish Gobind, and strength and conditioning coach Curtly Diesel.The appointments were approved by the Mhishi Committee of Inquiry, which was formed to investigate Zimbabwe's T20 World Cup failure. The committee recommended a complete overhaul of the coaching staff, and the new appointments are expected to bring a fresh perspective and expertise to the team.Langeveldt is a highly respected bowling coach with a wealth of experience at the international level. He is known for his ability to develop and improve bowlers of all types, and he is expected to play a key role in helping Zimbabwe's bowlers reach their full potential.Matsikenyeri, who has been with the team as interim head coach, will now focus on his role as fielding coach. He is a former Zimbabwean batter with a wealth of experience, and he is expected to help improve the team's fielding standards.Sammons, who was appointed as head coach in May 2023, is a former South African cricketer with a strong track record in coaching. He is expected to lead the team to success in the upcoming T20I series against India and beyond.The new coaching staff will have their work cut out for them. Zimbabwe has struggled in recent years, and they will need to improve their performances if they want to qualify for the next T20 World Cup. However, with the experience and expertise of the new coaching staff, Zimbabwe has a good chance of turning things around.