Zimbabwe vs Ireland, 3rd T20I at Harare, Zimbabwe vs Ireland, Feb 25 2025 - Match Result

10:05pm That will be all from us. We hope you enjoyed our coverage and we will be back with more cricket tomorrow, lined up from different parts of the world. Until then, this is goodbye and goodnight from Chetan and myself. Take care, everyone!

Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe captain: Tony has been fantastic, he had a fantastic tour. Seeing Burly hit a few sixes, the way Tashinga and the way Brian has carried the team throughout the last six-seven months…lots of positives. Gwandu has been amazing. They (Ngarava and Muzarabani) have set the bar so high, but he is following in that path. We put ourselves in decent positions but let the games slip as well. Have put a lot of hard work over the last few months. We will take a 1-0 win, and even today, I felt we had a good total (on the board). This is the last day of the summer for us. The boys have a lot of away tours - the next time we meet will be in July. We need to keep working hard, ensure our ceiling goes higher and higher, and keep pushing ourselves to be better and better, because the end goal is to qualify for the next T20 World Cup. We have got our fitness program already and we have games against Canada A, Scotland A and Durham coming up. Hopefully, some of the boys will be a part (of them) and be ready (for the next international games). The vibe around the ground, how respectful they are, they come up with something when the chips are down - the crowd plays a big part. In a few months' time, we will see them travelling overseas and that will be wonderful.

Paul Stirling, Ireland captain: (On the score) I think it would have been a really good game. They just crept to an above-par score, would have been a really good chase but unfortunately, the weather got in the way. He (Young) missed the ODI series unexpectedly but did a stellar job for us (in the T20Is). Getting the Test win was exceptional, maybe did not capitalize on our moments in the ODIs. Lots (of positives) to take from the T20Is, don't think we will take just the result on the whole.

9:37pm The rain has not relented and the umpires have pulled the plug on this contest. The match has been called off, which means Zimbabwe win this series 1-0. A real shame, given how the match was shaping up, and how Ireland would have needed to produce a stellar batting display to level the series. But in the end, the weather had the final word and when that happens, there is not a lot that can be done unfortunately.

9:30pm We have just received word that 10:04pm local time is the latest a five-over chase can start. Which, unfortunately, does not give the weather or the ground staff a lot of elbow room.

Maxie: "If the Irish do eventually bat in this innings then expect a catching session because the only way to get boundaries in this outfield is over ropes. But with all being said and done its a very decent effort and boy the chemistry between Munyonga and Musekiwa with the calls is just mesmerizing."

9:17pm Nothing new to report, unfortunately. Difficult to tell if it is raining because of the dark landscape but the covers are firmly in place and the ground staff are nowhere in sight, which does indicate that it might still be drizzling, at the very least.

9:02pm Uh-oh, just as we were getting ready for the chase to begin, the rain has returned, which by extension, means the covers have returned too. Such a shame, given how this contest was simmering. All we can do now is wait...

Calin: "22 twos in 18 overs." -- Solely down to how many shots plugged in the outfield, and could be a key factor in Ireland's batting innings too.

8:55pm An innings that was not shorn of intent, even if the execution went awry a few times. There were cameos throughout, starting with the skipper, who top-scored with 34. Munyonga and Musekiwa provided the firepower towards the end and ensured that Zimbabwe went past 140.

Ireland, meanwhile, will feel they conceded a few too many towards the end. Through the middle, they had put the hosts in a squeeze, picking up regular wickets. 143 may not seem a daunting chase but on a track that has been a little sluggish, and on an outfield that has been even slower, they will have to bat really well to level this series. Join us in a bit for the chase!

Tony Munyonga: The wicket is a little slow, there is uneven bounce as well, so hard to hit. More down to running hard between the wickets, it was the biggest thing. (On the score) I think it is definitely enough. The outfield is slow and the pitch is up and down.

Masakadza is the new batter in

Young to bowl the last over. 150 still within reach

Steve: "Zimbabwe seriously riding their luck with all these slogs landing safe!" -- But there have been a lot of good shots too!

Hand to bowl the penultimate over. Zimbabwe could even get up to 150 the way they are going

Looks like another change of ball is in order, with the previous one landing in the mud and getting seriously discoloured

That last ball hit Munyonga right on the badge and he did take his eyes off it too. The physio is out to check on him now, and the early signs are that he will be able to continue

The umpires want a change of ball, perhaps because the earlier one had soaked up too much moisture. Little to bowl out