Zimbabwe v Ireland

Watch: Wicketkeeping fumble costs Ireland victory in last-ball thriller against Zimbabwe

by Wisden Staff December 8, 2023 - 8:31am 2 minute read

Watch: A last-ball wicketkeeping fumble from Lorcan Tucker cost Ireland victory in a thrilling T20I against Zimbabwe on December 7.

With Zimbabwe at 139-8, Barry McCarthy was entrusted to defend nine runs in the last over. McCarthy struck back with a wicket off the penultimate ball after conceding seven runs, as Mark Adair took a screamer running backwards. The game went down the wire as the hosts required two runs off the final delivery for a victory and one for a Super Over

McCarthy steamed in and bowled a cutter full and just outside off. Blessing Muzarabani tried to play a heave on the on-side, but the ball took the inside edge of his bat and raced to Tucker, who got down before being beaten entirely. By the time fine leg intercepted it, Zimbabwe had run two to seal a famous victory in Harare, going 1-0 up in the series, while Tucker and Ireland rued the missed opportunity.

The game was Zimbabwe’s first since their failure to qualify for the 2024 T20 World Cup in the Africa Qualifier, with Uganda and Namibia making the cut in their place. The series is a short and sharp one, with the final two games taking place on December 9 and December 10.