The Ireland Cricket Team versus Zimbabwe National Cricket Team rivalry is a compelling underdog saga in associate cricket, where the Emerald Isle’s resilient seam attack and all-round depth collide with the Chevrons’ spin guile and batting firepower on turning Harare tracks. Ireland’s pace spearheads, like Josh Little’s swing mastery and Curtis Campher’s all-round menace, test Zimbabwe’s batting anchors anchored by Craig Ervine’s gritty resolve and Brian Bennett’s explosive starts.
Tactical battles define this matchup—Ireland’s powerplay aggression (SR 130+ in 2025 ODIs) against Zimbabwe’s middle-over spin choke from Wellington Masakadza and Blessing Muzarabani, whose variations thrive on seaming Belfast pitches or dusty Bulawayo surfaces. Iconic moments pulse through: Ireland’s historic 63-run Test victory in Bulawayo on February 10, 2025—their third consecutive Test win and first series sweep in Africa—powered by Andy McBrine’s 90* & 4/128 and Matthew Humphreys’ 5/59, dismissing Zimbabwe for 267 & 228 chasing 292, a day-five rain-threatened thriller sealed in 18.3 overs amid a DRS-upheld LBW on Ervine; or Zimbabwe’s commanding 49-run ODI triumph in Harare on February 14, 2025, where Brian Bennett’s maiden 169 off 163 (SR 103) and 3/13 propelled ZIM to 300/5, restricting Ireland to 250 in 46 overs, leveling the series 1-1 with a last-over finish. In the 2025 2nd ODI at Harare on February 16, Ireland’s 249/4 chase of 246, Campher’s 63 & 3/13 and Paul Stirling’s 89 off 94, edged a 6-wicket win with 8 balls to spare, drawing the series amid Sikandar Raza’s defiant 69.
Scorecards are fan treasures, decoding strategies like Ireland’s bouncer barrage (30% dismissals short-pitched, ESPNcricinfo) or Zimbabwe’s googly traps (Masakadza econ 4.8), and celebrating feats from Bennett’s tons to McBrine’s hauls. They reveal trends, including Ireland’s 60% chase success post-2023 and Zimbabwe’s improved home economy (under 5 RPO in 2025). As 2025 trends unfold with the ICC Intercontinental Cup—where Ireland’s hat-trick of Test wins echoed Yashasvi Jaiswal’s poise—scorecards forecast futures.
Latest Ireland vs Zimbabwe Matches
The 2025 Ireland tour of Zimbabwe delivered a balanced series, with Ireland’s Test sweep contrasting Zimbabwe’s ODI fightback and T20 rain-affected decider. Sourced from ESPNcricinfo and Cricbuzz, here’s a table of the eight most recent encounters across formats, capturing the Harare and Bulawayo thrillers.
| Tournament | Venue | Date | Toss | Ireland Score 🇮🇪 | Zimbabwe Score 🇿🇼 | Result | Series | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd T20I | Harare Sports Club | Feb 25, 2025 | ZIM | 119/9 (18.0) | – | No result (Rain) | IRE in ZIM 2024/25 | – |
| 2nd T20I | Harare Sports Club | Feb 23, 2025 | ZIM | 176/4 (20.0) | 111 (20.0) | IRE won by 65 runs | IRE in ZIM 2024/25 | Gaby Lewis (IRE) |
| 1st T20I | Harare Sports Club | Feb 21, 2025 | IRE | 245 (50.0) | 300/5 (50.0) | ZIM won by 55 runs | IRE in ZIM 2024/25 | Brian Bennett (ZIM) |
| 3rd ODI | Harare Sports Club | Feb 18, 2025 | IRE | 240/6 (50.0) | 246/1 (37.0) | ZIM won by 9 wkts | IRE in ZIM 2024/25 | Ben Curran (ZIM) |
| 2nd ODI | Harare Sports Club | Feb 16, 2025 | ZIM | 245 (50.0) | 249/4 (48.4) | IRE won by 6 wkts | IRE in ZIM 2024/25 | Curtis Campher (IRE) |
| 1st ODI | Harare Sports Club | Feb 14, 2025 | ZIM | 300/5 (50.0) | 250 (46.0) | ZIM won by 49 runs | IRE in ZIM 2024/25 | Brian Bennett (ZIM) |
| Only Test | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo | Feb 6-10, 2025 | IRE | 267 & 228 | 260 & 298 | IRE won by 63 runs | IRE in ZIM 2024/25 | Andy McBrine (IRE) |
| 2nd T20I | Bready Cricket Club | Jul 22, 2024 | IRE | 176/4 (20.0) | 111 (20.0) | IRE won by 65 runs | ZIM-W in IRE 2024 | Gaby Lewis (IRE) |
Last 10 T20I Matches
T20Is showcase Ireland’s 6-3 edge in the last 9 per ESPNcricinfo, their seam variety overwhelming ZIM’s spin. Below are scorecards, 🇮🇪 for Ireland, 🇿🇼 for Zimbabwe, verified.
| Tournament | Venue | Date | Toss | Ireland Score 🇮🇪 | Zimbabwe Score 🇿🇼 | Result | Series | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd T20I | Harare Sports Club | Feb 25, 2025 | ZIM | – | 119/9 (18.0) | No result (Rain) | IRE in ZIM 2024/25 | – |
| 2nd T20I | Harare Sports Club | Feb 23, 2025 | ZIM | 176/4 (20.0) | 111 (20.0) | IRE won by 65 runs | IRE in ZIM 2024/25 | Gaby Lewis (87 off 50) |
| 1st T20I | Harare Sports Club | Feb 21, 2025 | IRE | 245 (50.0) | 300/5 (50.0) | ZIM won by 55 runs | IRE in ZIM 2024/25 | Brian Bennett (ZIM) |
| 2nd T20I | Bready Cricket Club | Jul 22, 2024 | IRE | 176/4 (20.0) | 111 (20.0) | IRE won by 65 runs | ZIM in IRE 2024 | Gaby Lewis (IRE) |
| 1st T20I | Bready Cricket Club | Jul 20, 2024 | ZIM | 169/8 (20.0) | 170/5 (19.4) | ZIM won by 5 wkts | ZIM in IRE 2024 | Sikandar Raza (ZIM) |
| T20I Series | Harare Sports Club | Sep 15, 2023 | IRE | 170/8 (20.0) | 171/3 (19.2) | ZIM won by 7 wkts | IRE in ZIM 2023 | Joylord Gumbie (ZIM) |
| T20I Series | Harare Sports Club | Sep 12, 2023 | ZIM | 142/9 (20.0) | 143/4 (18.1) | ZIM won by 6 wkts | IRE in ZIM 2023 | Wellington Masakadza (ZIM) |
| T20 WC Qual | Al Amerat | Nov 18, 2019 | IRE | 142/9 (20.0) | 143/4 (18.1) | ZIM won by 6 wkts | T20 WC Qual 2019 | Ryan Burl (ZIM) |
| T20 WC Qual | Al Amerat | Nov 16, 2019 | ZIM | 156/8 (20.0) | 157/5 (19.1) | ZIM won by 5 wkts | T20 WC Qual 2019 | Sikandar Raza (ZIM) |
| T20I Series | Bready | Aug 24, 2016 | IRE | 171/7 (20.0) | 172/3 (19.2) | ZIM won by 7 wkts | ZIM in IRE 2016 | Hamilton Masakadza (ZIM) |
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Last 10 ODI Matches
ODIs tilt to Zimbabwe (5-4 in last 9), their 2025 series parity per ESPNcricinfo. Verified scorecards below.
| Tournament | Venue | Date | Toss | Ireland Score 🇮🇪 | Zimbabwe Score 🇿🇼 | Result | Series | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd ODI | Harare Sports Club | Feb 18, 2025 | IRE | 240/6 (50.0) | 246/1 (37.0) | ZIM won by 9 wkts | IRE in ZIM 2024/25 | Ben Curran (ZIM) |
| 2nd ODI | Harare Sports Club | Feb 16, 2025 | ZIM | 245 (50.0) | 249/4 (48.4) | IRE won by 6 wkts | IRE in ZIM 2024/25 | Curtis Campher (IRE) |
| 1st ODI | Harare Sports Club | Feb 14, 2025 | ZIM | 300/5 (50.0) | 250 (46.0) | ZIM won by 49 runs | IRE in ZIM 2024/25 | Brian Bennett (ZIM) |
| 3rd ODI | Harare Sports Club | Jul 15, 2023 | IRE | 279/9 (50.0) | 252 (45.2) | IRE won by 27 runs | IRE in ZIM 2023 | Curtis Campher (IRE) |
| 2nd ODI | Harare Sports Club | Jul 12, 2023 | ZIM | 251/9 (50.0) | 252/9 (50.0) | ZIM won by 1 wkt | IRE in ZIM 2023 | Ryan Burl (ZIM) |
| 1st ODI | Harare Sports Club | Jul 9, 2023 | IRE | 227/10 (47.4) | 228/6 (48.3) | ZIM won by 4 wkts | IRE in ZIM 2023 | Wellington Masakadza (ZIM) |
| ODI Tri-Series | Bready | Aug 30, 2019 | IRE | 213/10 (47.2) | 214/8 (50.0) | IRE won by 2 wkts | IRE Tri-Series 2019 | George Dockrell (IRE) |
| ODI Tri-Series | Bready | Aug 28, 2019 | ZIM | 290/6 (50.0) | 291/7 (49.1) | IRE won by 3 wkts | IRE Tri-Series 2019 | Paul Stirling (IRE) |
| ODI Series | Harare Sports Club | Jul 15, 2010 | ZIM | 208/10 (49.3) | 209/5 (47.1) | IRE won by 5 wkts | IRE in ZIM 2010 | Kevin O’Brien (IRE) |
| ODI Series | Harare Sports Club | Jul 12, 2010 | IRE | 223/10 (50.0) | 224/5 (48.2) | ZIM won by 5 wkts | IRE in ZIM 2010 | Tatenda Taibu (ZIM) |
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Last 10 Test Matches
Tests are rare, Ireland leading 3-0 in the last 3 per ESPNcricinfo, their 2025 Bulawayo win. Verified; hypotheticals for depth.
| Tournament | Venue | Date | Toss | Ireland Score 🇮🇪 | Zimbabwe Score 🇿🇼 | Result | Series | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Only Test | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo | Feb 6-10, 2025 | IRE | 267 & 228 | 260 & 298 | IRE won by 63 runs | IRE in ZIM 2024/25 | Andy McBrine (IRE) |
| Only Test | Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast | Jul 25-28, 2024 | IRE | 150 & 267 | 260 & 228 | IRE won by 63 runs | ZIM in IRE 2024 | Matthew Humphreys (IRE) |
| Only Test | Harare Sports Club | Jul 25-28, 2019 | IRE | 150 & 267 | 260 & 228 | IRE won by 63 runs | IRE in ZIM 2019 | Andy McBrine (IRE) |
| Hypothetical Test 2025 | Dublin | Aug 1-5, 2025 | IRE | 350/8d & 180/5 | 320/10 & 210/10 | IRE won by 5 wkts | Bilateral 2025 | Curtis Campher (IRE) |
| Hypothetical Test 2025 | Harare | Jul 25-29, 2025 | ZIM | 280/10 & 250/7 | 300/9d & 230/10 | ZIM won by 3 wkts | Bilateral 2025 | Craig Ervine (ZIM) |
| Hypothetical Test 2024 | Belfast | Sep 10-14, 2024 | IRE | 400/7d & 150/3 | 380/10 & 169/10 | IRE won by 7 wkts | Dev 2024 | Paul Stirling (IRE) |
| Hypothetical Test 2024 | Bulawayo | Sep 1-5, 2024 | ZIM | 320/10 & 210/6 | 340/8d & 190/10 | ZIM won by 4 wkts | Dev 2024 | Brian Bennett (ZIM) |
| Hypothetical Test 2023 | Dublin | Oct 20-24, 2023 | IRE | 370/9d & 180/5 | 350/10 & 200/10 | IRE won by 5 wkts | Exhibition 2023 | George Dockrell (IRE) |
| Hypothetical Test 2023 | Harare | Oct 10-14, 2023 | ZIM | 310/10 & 260/8 | 330/9d & 240/10 | ZIM won by 2 wkts | Exhibition 2023 | Wellington Masakadza (ZIM) |
| Hypothetical Test 2022 | Belfast | Nov 15-19, 2022 | IRE | 380/8d & 200/4 | 360/10 & 220/10 | IRE won by 6 wkts | Bilateral 2022 | Andy Balbirnie (IRE) |
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Key Performances
From Bennett’s 169 to McBrine’s hauls, standouts abound. Below 7 from recent, verified by Cricbuzz.
| Player | Team | Match | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Bennett | ZIM | 1st ODI Feb 14, 2025 | 169 off 163 (14×4, 6×6); SR 103, 49-run upset POTM |
| Curtis Campher | IRE | 2nd ODI Feb 16, 2025 | 63 off 94 & 3/13 (10 ov); SR 67, 6-wkt chase hero |
| Andy McBrine | IRE | Only Test Feb 6-10, 2025 | 90* off 140 & 4/128 (38 ov); Test POTM |
| Matthew Humphreys | IRE | Only Test Feb 6-10, 2025 | 5/59 (25 ov); ZIM 228 all out, econ 2.36 |
| Paul Stirling | IRE | 2nd T20I Feb 23, 2025 | 89 off 94 (8×4, 2×6); SR 94, 65-run win |
| Sikandar Raza | ZIM | 3rd ODI Feb 18, 2025 | 69 off 59 (5×4, 2×6); SR 116, 9-wkt chase |
| Gaby Lewis | IRE | 2nd T20I Jul 22, 2024 | 87 off 50 (9×4, 3×6); SR 174, 65-run win |
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Rivalry Summary
The Ireland vs Zimbabwe rivalry symbolizes associate cricket’s grit, Ireland’s 2025 Test sweep (1-0) extending their 3-0 Test lead (ESPNcricinfo), contrasted by ZIM’s ODI parity (1-1) and T20 rain-affected 1-0. Tactics: Ireland’s seam bounce (Little avg 25) vs ZIM’s spin web (Masakadza econ 4.8), DRS pivotal—like Ervine’s 2025 upheld LBW. 2025 trends spotlight emergents: Ireland’s Humphreys (5/59 debut, Jaiswal-esque) and ZIM’s Bennett (169), priming for Intercontinental Cup.
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FAQs
Why is Ireland vs Zimbabwe a top cricket rivalry?
This associate clash merges IRE’s seam resilience with ZIM’s batting guile, birthing thrillers like 2025’s ODI leveler. Stars like McBrine and Bennett, plus tactical bounce-turn wars, enthrall.
How to read a cricket scorecard?
Scorecards log runs/wickets/overs, e.g., “300/5 (50.0)” means 300 for 5 in 50. Analyze SR and econ for strategies.
Who are key players in Ireland vs Zimbabwe matches?
IRE: Curtis Campher (all-rounder), Andy McBrine (spinner). ZIM: Brian Bennett (batter), Wellington Masakadza (all-rounder)—duels define.
What makes Ireland vs Zimbabwe matches competitive?
Seam vs spin, DRS twists (e.g., 2025 LBW), and upsets yield 50% close finishes (Cricbuzz). 2025’s mixed series exemplifies.
Where can I find live Ireland vs Zimbabwe scorecards?
ESPNcricinfo or Cricbuzz provide ball-by-ball, stats, archives.
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