Tony Munyonga’s unbeaten 43 led Zimbabwe to a three-wicket victory over Ireland in a T20 match, giving Zimbabwe a 1-0 lead in the series. Ireland set a target of 138 runs, which Zimbabwe chased successfully, finishing at 141-7. The final match is scheduled for Tuesday after the first was rained out. Sikandar Raza praised Munyonga’s performance, highlighting the team’s resilience despite early setbacks.
An impressive performance by Tony Munyonga, who scored an unbeaten 43, guided Zimbabwe to a thrilling three-wicket victory over Ireland in a T20 match held on Sunday. This win allows Zimbabwe to take a 1-0 lead in the series, with one match still to play in Harare. Ireland managed to post a total of 137 runs for the loss of 8 wickets, a performance interrupted by rain, during which Lorcan Tucker and Harry Tector significantly contributed 53 runs for the second wicket after opener Paul Stirling was dismissed for just one run.
In response, Zimbabwe successfully chased down the target of 138 runs, finishing at 141-7 with four balls remaining. The final match of the series is scheduled for Tuesday, following an earlier match on Saturday that was abandoned due to rain. Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza expressed his satisfaction with Munyonga’s achievement, stating, “I am really happy for Tony. He is one of our leading scorers in domestic cricket and I am delighted that he was judged man of the match.”
Raza lauded Munyonga for maintaining calmness at the crease, finding gaps, and running swiftly between the wickets. Ireland’s captain Paul Stirling acknowledged the shortcomings of his team’s innings, stating, “We did not finish our innings well. Then there was a great knock by the player of the match.” He noted the importance of having Craig back on the team, who had previously missed the ODI series due to a minor injury.
Curtis Campher was the only other Irish player to reach double digits after they lost the initial toss, with their batting lineup collapsing, losing the last five wickets for a mere 36 runs. For Zimbabwe, Trevor Gwandu was particularly effective with the ball, taking three wickets, while Sikandar Raza and Richard Ngarava each claimed two.
When Zimbabwe began their chase, they encountered early trouble as fast bowler Young took the crucial wickets of Bennet, Tadiwanashe Marumani, and Madhevere, leaving the team in a precarious position at 14 for 3. However, a 48-run partnership between Ryan Burl and Raza helped stabilize the innings before both were dismissed within six balls, bringing Zimbabwe to 64 for 5 midway through their innings. Munyonga emerged as a key player, striking five fours in his 30-ball innings, though he fell just short of achieving a personal best score in T20 internationals.
In summary, Tony Munyonga’s stellar 43 runs propelled Zimbabwe to a vital win over Ireland in their T20 series match. With this victory, Zimbabwe leads the series 1-0, showcasing strong performances from both batsmen and bowlers. The upcoming match on Tuesday promises to be competitive, as both teams aim to conclude the series on a high note.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
