Zimbabwe Vs Ireland 2nd ODI: IRE Level Series Thanks To All-round Curtis Campher

Ireland completed the 246-run chase in the penultimate over to seal a six wicket victory. Zimbabwe had kicked off the ODI series with a commanding 49-run win in the opener.

Ireland started the second game with the coin falling their way. Paul Stirling won the toss and opted to bowl first.

Zimbabwe Vs Ireland, 2nd ODI: Playing XIs

Ireland (Playing XI): Andrew Balbirnie, Paul Stirling(c), Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker(w), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Andy McBrine, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Joshua Little

Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Craig Ervine(c), Sikandar Raza, Wessly Madhevere, Johnathan Campbell, Tadiwanashe Marumani(w), Wellington Masakadza, Trevor Gwandu, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava

Brian Bennett, who scored 169 in the first ODI, fell for 30 in the second to Mark Adair. Ireland bowlers reduced Zimbabwe to 77/3 in the 17th over when Wesley Madhevere and captain Sikandar Raza built a partnership.

Madhevere was dismissed for 61 by Campher just as Zimbabwe crossed 150 in the 33rd over. Campher then struck twice in the 35th over to turn the game in Ireland's favour. Raza too was sent back to the pavillion in the 44th over just after he had taken his team over 200. Wellington Masakadza hit 35 down the order and Zimbabwe were bowled out for 245 in 49 overs.

Adair took four wickets for Ireland while Campher picked three.

Ireland's chase of 246 suffered an early setback as they lost Andrew Balbirnie in the sixth over. Captain Stirling was then joined by Campher and the duo stitched a 144-run partnership for the second wicket to kill the game.

Campher lost his wicket at 63, Stirling was dismissed for 82 but the duo had done its job. Lorcan Tucker guided Ireland home with a composed 36 not out to lead Ireland to a six-wicket win.

The final ODI between the two sides take place on Tuesday, February 18.