Clive Madande hit a four on the final ball to give Zimbabwe a dramatic three-wicket victory over the DLS method on their first day international against Ireland in Harare.
Chasing the visitors 288-4, the hosts entered the final needing 13 points to win before Madande’s decisive limit.
Rain delayed the game with 18 overs from Zimbabwe’s innings remaining.
Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie managed 121 points before retiring injured.
Wednesday’s encounter was the first game in a three-game ODI series in Zimbabwe, with the teams meeting again on Saturday.
Zimbabwe won the toss, opted for the pitch and the decision initially paid off as fly-half Paul Stirling and Stephen Doheny were dismissed with 25 points on the board.
The match then underwent a drastic change as Balbirnie and Harry Tector, with 101 not out, went 212 for the third wicket – 16 runs short of the Irish record.
Balbirnie faced 137 balls, hitting three sixes and 13 fours before being hit in the head by a Brad Evans delivery that forced him to retire.
Tector reached his century with a two on the fourth ball in the final, with his tally comprising a six and eight fours from 109 deliveries.
Fast middle pacer Victor Nyauchi was the best of Zimbabwe’s bowlers, taking two wickets for 65 runs.
More soon.
