Raza was named Man of the Match for his game-winning knock of 60 not out

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza and batsman Craig Ervine both made 60 to lead their side to a two-wicket win over Ireland in the first ODI in Harare.

However, Ireland wicketkeeper Gary Wilson and batsman Ed Joyce deserve some credit for their valiant knocks of 70 and 53 respectively.

Ireland struggled right from the get-go after being put in to bat first and had it not been for Wilson and Joyce, Zimbabwe’s margin of victory would have been a lot larger.

Joyce kept Zimbabwe at bay initially with his innings of 53 off 88 balls, which included two boundaries and six, before Wilson gave the Zimbabwean bowling attack another headache with his knock of 70, which came off 88 deliveries and included four boundaries.

Joyce scored a valiant 53

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Thanks to Wilson and Joyce, Ireland finished on 219/8 off their 50 overs.

Wilson made a gutsy 70

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John Nyumbu and Wellington Masakadza picked up two wickets apiece, while Tinashe Panyangara, Luke Jongwe, Chamu Chibhabha and Sean Williams chipped in with one wicket each.

Chasing 220 to win, Zimbabwe’s innings was very similar to Ireland’s as only two batsmen made valuable contributions with the bat.

After getting off to a rocky start, Ervine stabilised his side’s innings with his knock of 60 off 78 balls, which included five boundaries.

Ervine hit five boundaries during his innings of 60

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

However, once he was dismissed, Zimbabwe continued to lose batsmen at regular intervals. But, they were lucky to escape with a two-wicket win as Raza scored an unbeaten 60 off 72 balls, which included four boundaries.

Andy McBrine and George Dockrell took two wickets apiece, while John Mooney and Tim Murtagh claimed one wicket each.