This is Zimbabwe’s first T20 World Cup since 2016, whilst Ireland will be looking to improve on their 2021 World Cup performance where they failed to qualify for the Super 12s after losing a winner-takes-all fixture against Namibia. Both sides go into the tournament following busy summers, Ireland played all of New Zealand, India, South Africa and Afghanistan at home, ompeting well in every series but ultimately finishing without a series victory. Zimbabwe had a famous 2-1 win against Bangladesh with all-rounder Sikandar Raza, in particular, impressing.

Head-to-head record

Overall: ZIM 3-5 IRE
Since 2019: ZIM 3-4 IRE

ZIM v IRE Dream11 fantasy tips

Don’t look much further than Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza. Earlier this year he scored three ODI centuries in a single month and his T20I record this year is particularly impressive too. He’s averaging 39.69 with a strike-rate of 152.21. Oh, and he bowls. His off-breaks have taken 15 wickets this year at an average of 19.06 with a fantastic economy of 5.95. No other spinner from a Test-playing country has made more runs and taken more wickets than him.

Harry Tector is an exciting young batter for Ireland, whose international form earnt him a Caribbean Premier League deal with Barbados Royals. The 22-year-old is averaging 28.66 this year with a strike-rate of 133.33. His most impressive innings came against India where he scored 64 not out off 33 balls, earning plaudits from his rival skipper Hardik Pandya.

Watch out for Mark Adair who will take the new ball for Ireland. He has an excellent record and has taken 45 wickets since the start of 2021.

Probable XI for ZIM v IRE

Zimbabwe: Regis Chakabva (+), Craig Ervine (c), Wessely Madhevere, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Brad Evans, Blessing Muzarbani, Richard Ngarava

Ireland: Paul Stirling (c), Andy Balbirnie, Lorcan Tucker (+), Harry Tector, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Curtis Campher, Simi Singh, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Josh Little

Rewind

Five-game series in 2021: Ireland ran won 3-2 against Zimbabwe

ZIM IRE Dream11 Team

Potential swaps:
Brad Evans for R Ngarava

Captaincy options
Sikandar Raza, Andrew Balbirnie, Harry Tector, Ryan Burl