2024-07-29 11:07:39
Ireland’s target in Belfast was just 158 runs. Half of their batsmen were chased down for 21 runs. Zimbabwean pacer Richard Engraver’s devastating bowling only rattled the hosts. Zimbabwe’s margin of victory was heavy. There was no substitute for a great performance for Ireland to win.
Lorcan Tucker and Andy McBrien did just that on the morning of the fourth day of the match on Sunday (July 28). The duo added 96 runs for the sixth wicket partnership. That’s how the match came to the Irish. The dominance Zimbabwe had shown with the new ball began to wane on the fourth day. Taking that opportunity, two Irish batsmen picked up fifties. He played fifty innings and gave the team a great victory. Tucker scored 56 and McBreen scored 55.
Tucker’s wicket was Zimbabwe’s only breakthrough of the day. He was bowled by pacer Mujarabani. But by then victory was within reach of the Irish. McBreen was accompanied by Mark Adair for the seventh wicket. 24 runs came from his bat. Ireland won by 4 wickets.
Zimbabwe tried everything to keep the match alive and win. But at the end of the day, Tucker and McBreen resisted and lost the victory.
The batsmen had to give a tough test in this test in Belfast. Neither team scored a century in four innings. Fifty is five. Where Peter Moore scored the highest 79 runs.
This win is historic for Ireland. They tasted their first Test victory at home. Also won the second match in a row in Test cricket. They lost to Afghanistan last March. McBreen, the hero of their victory, scored 7 wickets and 83 runs with the ball in two innings. He was also the man of the match.