Former England batter Gary Ballance debuts for Zimbabwe in Ireland T20I

The home team included Gary Ballance, 33, the former England Test and One-Day International batter, who will debut for his country of birth.

Gary Ballance (centre) is congratulated by team captain Craig Ervine (right) after receiving his cap ahead of the first T20I between Zimbabwe and Ireland. | Photo Credit: AFP

Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to field in the first of three Twenty20 Internationals against Ireland at Harare Sports Club on Thursday.

The home team included Gary Ballance, 33, the former England Test and One-Day International batter, who will debut for his country of birth.

“We hope he will make a big difference to our top order,” said Zimbabwe coach Dave Houghton. “Gary is raring to go.”

Ballance was released by English county Yorkshire last year after admitting he used racist language against teammate Azeem Rafiq.

Revelations by Pakistan-born Rafiq of institutional racism triggered wholesale changes at the club.

Zimbabwe lacked star batter Sikandar Raza - shortlisted for three 2022 International Cricket Council (ICC) awards - who is playing franchise cricket in Bangladesh.

The teams last met at the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia with Zimbabwe winning a first round match by 31 runs.