Zimbabwe vs Ireland 3rd ODI Match Preview, Prediction & Fantasy Tips
Match Details
- Match: Zimbabwe (ZIM) vs Ireland (IRE), 3rd ODI
- Date: Tuesday, February 18
- Venue: Harare Sports Club
- Series Status: 1-1 (Series Decider)
The third and final ODI between Zimbabwe and Ireland is set to take place at Harare Sports Club. Both teams have one win each, making this match the series decider.
Match Recap: Previous ODI
1st ODI Zimbabwe’s Dominant Win
Zimbabwe won the first ODI convincingly, defeating Ireland by 50 runs. Brian Bennett starred with an outstanding 169-run knock, supported by Ben Curran and Craig Ervine. Zimbabwe set a competitive total of 299. Despite some fightback from Ireland’s middle order, Blessing Muzarabani’s 4-wicket haul ensured Zimbabwe’s victory as Ireland was bowled out for 250.
2nd ODI: Ireland’s Strong Comeback
Ireland bounced back in the second match, chasing down Zimbabwe’s 245-run total with six wickets in hand. Curtis Campher was the standout performer, contributing both with the bat (63 runs) and the ball (3 wickets). Mark Adair also shined, taking four wickets to dismantle Zimbabwe’s batting lineup.
Team Analysis & Key Players
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe comes into this match with three losses in their last five ODIs. While they showed promise in the first game, they struggled to maintain consistency in the second.
Key Players to Watch
- Brian Bennett – The star batsman with a solid 279 runs in his last eight matches at an average of 34.88.
- Craig Ervine (Captain) – Scored 237 runs in his last 10 ODIs at an average of 26.33.
- Blessing Muzarabani – A key pacer, taking nine wickets in his last seven matches.
- Richard Ngarava – Leading Zimbabwe’s bowling attack with 14 wickets in his last nine ODIs.
Ireland
Ireland has dominated Zimbabwe recently, winning three of their last five encounters. They displayed a balanced performance in the second ODI, with contributions from both batters and bowlers.
Key Players to Watch
- Curtis Campher – Scored 336 runs in his last 10 matches and took three crucial wickets in the second ODI.
- Harry Tector – A consistent performer with 333 runs in his last 10 games.
- Mark Adair – Ireland’s top bowler, grabbing 16 wickets in his last 10 matches.
- Graham Hume – Another important bowler with 13 wickets in his last 10 ODIs.
Pitch & Weather Report
Harare Sports Club Pitch Analysis
- The pitch at Harare Sports Club offers assistance to pacers with the new ball.
- As the match progresses, batting conditions improve.
- Spinners might play a crucial role in the later stages.
- A score of 270+ is considered competitive at this venue.
Weather Forecast
- Temperature: 24°C
- Humidity: 70%
- Rain Chances: 20%
- Early morning fog and scattered showers expected in the afternoon.
Toss Prediction
- A total of 172 ODIs have been played at Harare Sports Club.
- Teams batting first have won 82 matches, while chasing teams have won 89.
- The team winning the toss might opt to bowl first, considering the conditions.
Head-to-Head Record
- Total ODIs played: 24
- Ireland Wins: 11
- Zimbabwe Wins: 9
- Draws: 1
- Unresolved Matches: 3
Match Prediction: Who Will Win?
Ireland showcased a dominant all-round performance in the second ODI, giving them an edge going into this decider. Zimbabwe will need a strong performance from their top order and bowling attack to counter Ireland’s momentum.
Prediction: Ireland to win the 3rd ODI and clinch the series.
Dream11 Fantasy Team & Betting Tips
Top Fantasy Picks
Zimbabwe Key Players
- Brian Bennett – Scored 169 runs in the 1st ODI, fifth-highest score by a Zimbabwean batsman.
- Blessing Muzarabani – Took 4 for 51 in the first match.
- Richard Ngarava – A budget-friendly pick, known for taking key wickets.
Ireland Key Players
- Curtis Campher – A top pick for his all-round abilities.
- Andy Balbirnie – A high-risk, high-reward fantasy choice.
- Josh Little – A solid performer with a good fantasy rating.
Betting Tips
- Ireland to win the match.
- Curtis Campher to be the top performer.
- Zimbabwe’s middle order to struggle under pressure.
Probable Playing XI
Zimbabwe Playing XI
- Brian Bennett
- Craig Ervine (C)
- Ben Curran
- Wessly Madhevere
- Sikandar Raza
- Blessing Muzarabani
- Richard Ngarava
- John Campbell
- T Marumani
- Wellington Masakadza
- Trevor Gwandu
Ireland Playing XI
- Andrew Balbirnie
- Curtis Campher
- Lorcan Tucker
- Harry Tector
- Paul Stirling
- Graham Hume
- George Dockrell
- Mark Adair
- Craig Young
- Andy McBrine
- Matthew Humphreys
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