Zimbabwe grinds down Ireland to close on World Cup place

Having been restricted to nine for 211 batting first, Zimbabwe had Graeme Cremer and Tendai Chisoro bowl it to victory.

Published : Mar 17, 2018 00:41 IST , Harare

A jubilant Zimbabwe team (file photo).
A jubilant Zimbabwe team (file photo).
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A jubilant Zimbabwe team (file photo).

Tendai Chisoro and Graeme Cremer took three wickets each as Zimbabwe secured a resounding 107-run victory over Ireland today to move a step closer to the 2019 World Cup.

As it happened

The host of the qualifying tournament battled hard to make 211-9 batting first in Harare, before bowling out the Irish for just 104 to move top of the Super Sixes table.

Zimbabwe was indebted to the in-form Sikandar Raza’s unbeaten 69 as the all-rounder helped it recover from 139-7, with Chisoro adding a valuable 21 at number nine.

Ireland lost early wickets in reply, and when Paul Stirling was run out for 41 to leave it 86-6, its hopes of an important win were over.

Opening bowler Chisoro finished with figures of 3-22, while spinner Cremer claimed 3-18 as he mopped up the tail.

William Porterfield’s side now needs to win its last two matches against Afghanistan and Scotland to stand any chance of taking one of the last two spots for next year’s World Cup in England and Wales.

Zimbabwe tops the table on net run rate from Scotland, and is next in action against two-time World Cup winner West Indies on Monday.

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