Ireland defeated Zimbabwe by six wickets, Ross Adair scored 65 runs

• Ireland completed the run-out with two balls remaining.
• This set up a series finale for Sunday which Ireland won by 6 wickets.
• Ross Adair smashed four sixes and two fours in quickfire half-century.

Ireland defeated Zimbabwe by six wickets on Saturday in Harare to tie the three-match Twenty20 series. Opener Ross Adair scored a quick 65.

Ireland completed the run-out with two balls remaining after Zimbabwe scored 144, with captain Craig Ervine leading the way with 42. This set up a series finale for Sunday.

In addition to Adair, the tourists’ other opener and captain Andy Balbirnie (33) and Harry Tector (26) also made substantial contributions.

Adair, a former Ulster rugby player, faced 47 deliveries at the sunny Harare Sports Club and smashed four sixes and two fours.

It was a significant turn of events for him since on Thursday, when he made his international debut, he scored just five runs, and Zimbabwe won by five wickets.

After attempting to clear Richard Ngarava long-on off his left arm quickly but missing his stroke and hitting Wessly Madhevere, Adair exited the game.

Balbirnie made up for a lacklustre performance in the first game by scoring 31 runs in an innings that featured a six and three fours.

Ireland was 119-3 and needed 26 runs from four overs to win when Adair left. George Dockrell nailed a six to seal the match as Tector left with nine still needed.

The finest Zimbabwean bowler by far was the leg spinner Ryan Burl, who claimed two wickets for 26 runs in four overs.

Ervine acquired the role of leading run-getter while star Sikandar Raza was playing franchise cricket in Bangladesh and former England Test hitter Gary Ballance was absent due to a concussion.

Ervine grabbed control with his 40-ball innings, which included four fours, after being put in to bat after losing the toss and being one wicket behind with only six runs scored.

He top-edged a Graham Hume ball to fine leg where Tector made the catch while attempting a scoop shot off the back of a length.

The most effective Irish bowler was South African-born Hume, who was selected in place of Barry McCarthy and finished with three for 17, while Tector finished with two for 22.

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