Murtagh (right) finished with figures of 4-32 off 10 overs

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

After faltering in the first two games of the series, Ireland put together a spirited performance and earned themselves a hard-fought two-wicket consolation win in the third ODI against Zimbabwe in Harare.

Ireland pace bowler Tim Murtagh claimed four wickets, while opener Paul Stirling made 50 to ensure their side weren’t whitewashed 3-0.

Ireland captain William Porterfield would have been delighted with his decision to bowl first as Zimbabwe all-rounders Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza were the only two batsmen to make valuable contributions with the bat.

Williams made a gutsy 51

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Williams scored 51 off 69 balls, which included eight boundaries, while Raza made 50 off 56 deliveries, which included four boundaries and a six.

Raza scored a valiant 50

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Had it not been for them, it is highly unlikely that Zimbabwe would have posted a score of 187 before being bowled out.

Murtagh inflicted the most damage with four wickets, while Stirling, Craig Young, Kevin O’Brien and Andy McBrine chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Chasing 188 to win, Ireland did not get off to the best of starts and, to make things worse, they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. However, thanks to Stirling’s 50 off 92 balls, which included four boundaries, and small, but crucial, contributions from the middle and lower order, Ireland were able to cross the finish line with 19 balls to spare.

Stirling’s excellent form with the bat continued

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Taurai Muzarabani, Wellington Masakadza and Tinotenda Mutombodzi snapped up two wickets each, while Luke Jongwe claimed one.