Twitter reactions: Paul Stirling and Curtis Campher lead Ireland to a series-leveling win over Zimbabwe in 2nd ODI

In a thrilling encounter at Harare Sports Club, Ireland clinched a six-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the second ODI, leveling the three-match series 1-1. Curtis Campher and Paul Stirling were the architects of Ireland’s successful chase, while Mark Adair‘s four-wicket haul earlier in the day set the stage for a commanding performance. Zimbabwe, despite a fighting total of 245, couldn’t contain Ireland’s batting firepower as the visitors chased down the target with eight balls to spare.

Zimbabwe’s innings: A tale of starts and stumbles

Zimbabwe’s innings was a rollercoaster, marked by promising partnerships and sudden collapses. Openers Brian Bennett and Ben Curran provided a steady start, with Bennett particularly aggressive, smashing six boundaries in his 30 off 34 balls. However, his dismissal in the seventh over, caught by Stirling off Adair, triggered a mini-collapse. Craig Ervine fell cheaply to Josh Little, and Curran’s patient 18 ended when he was bowled by Andy McBrine.

Wessly Madhevere and Sikandar Raza then steadied the ship with a crucial 74-run partnership. Madhevere showcased his class, reaching a fluent 61 off 70 balls before falling lbw to Campher. Raza, the backbone of Zimbabwe’s middle order, anchored the innings with a composed 58, but his dismissal in the 43rd over, caught by Harry Tector off Adair, derailed Zimbabwe’s momentum. Wellington Masakadza‘s brisk 35 and Richard Ngarava‘s unbeaten 17 pushed the total to 245, but it felt slightly below par on a good batting surface.

Campher was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets for just 13 runs in his five overs, while Adair’s four-wicket haul ensured Zimbabwe couldn’t accelerate in the death overs.

Also READ: Ireland announces T20I, ODI and Test squads for Zimbabwe tour; Joshua Little returns

Paul Stirling and Curtis Campher steer Ireland’s ship to victory

Ireland’s chase began cautiously, with Andy Balbirnie falling early to Blessing Muzarabani for 11. However, Stirling and Campher combined for a match-defining 144-run partnership that put Ireland firmly in control. Stirling, the experienced campaigner, played a captain’s knock, scoring 89 off 102 balls, including eight boundaries and two sixes. His ability to rotate the strike and punish loose deliveries kept the scoreboard ticking.

Campher, fresh from his bowling heroics, played the perfect supporting role, notching up a gritty 63 off 94 balls. His dismissal in the 34th over, lbw to Trevor Gwandu, gave Zimbabwe a glimmer of hope, but Stirling continued to anchor the innings. Tector’s brief stay ended with a soft dismissal, but Lorcan Tucker (36*) and George Dockrell (20*) ensured there were no further hiccups.

Tucker’s composed innings and Dockrell’s aggressive cameo in the final overs sealed the deal for Ireland, as they reached the target with eight balls to spare. Gwandu was the standout bowler for Zimbabwe, picking up two wickets, but the lack of consistent pressure from the rest of the attack proved costly.

With the series now level at 1-1, the stage is set for a thrilling decider. Ireland will take confidence from their all-round performance, while Zimbabwe will look to regroup and address their middle-order inconsistencies. If the first two games are anything to go by, the final ODI promises to be a cracker, with both teams eager to clinch the series.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Ireland register their 11th ODI win over Zimbabwe, continuing their dominance since their first meeting in 2007. They’ve won 5 of the last 7 encounters! 🔥 The series now moves to a decider on Feb 18. #ZIMvIRE #VisitZimbabwe #BackingGreen☘️ pic.twitter.com/iN4ErlvZqU

— lightningspeed (@lightningspeedk) February 16, 2025

Ireland keep the ODI series alive with a 6 wicket win in the 2nd ODI

A captain’s performance from Stirling with 89 and an all-round performance from Curtis Campher with 3-13 & 63#ZIMvIRE

— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) February 16, 2025

Skipper Paul Stirling leads from the front as Ireland level the ODI series against Zimbabwe 👊#ZIMvIRE 📝: https://t.co/XF7g1BcAgx

Catch the rest of the tour live on https://t.co/CPDKNxoJ9v (in select regions) 🏏 📺 pic.twitter.com/nd1GAiGONk

— ICC (@ICC) February 16, 2025

Ireland bounce back to level the 3-match ODI series 1-1 against Zimbabwe, they won by six wickets.

Who will clinch the series on Tuesday? 🤔#ZIMvIRE #Travel&ExperienceZimbabwe 📝: https://t.co/pomiG0B7OY pic.twitter.com/n7dBjj9hgR

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) February 16, 2025

Ireland won 2nd ODI by 6 Wickets. Excellent spell M Adair 4/54. What a Performance Curtis Campher 3/13 & 63. Fantastic Knock P Stirling 89.@cricketireland #ZIMvIRE @MarkkAdairr @curtis_campher

— JaayShaan (VaidhyaJayaShankar) (@JaayShaan) February 16, 2025

Bringing in the field, discussions with the bowler when IRE need 1 from 13 is school boyish at best, when the pressure was needed they didnt set the appropriate fields.

IRE win the game levelling the series 1-1. Tuesday will be the decider, and we are on the backfoot #ZIMvIRE pic.twitter.com/53PDniXBBZ

— Baynham Goredema 🇿🇼 🇿🇦 (@bayhaus) February 16, 2025

That was Richard Ngarava’s 50th wicket in bilateral ODIs (average 34.75).

Blessing Muzarabani reached the same landmark earlier today (average 30.46).#ZIMvIRE #ZIMvsIRE @ACScricket @ZimCricketv @cricketireland

— Rodney Ulyate (@rodneyulyate) February 16, 2025

Zimbabwe is an associate level team let’s be real#ZIMvIRE

— No Good (@No_GoodZA) February 16, 2025

Don’t read much into Johnathan Campbell’s decision, it’s on the umpire. What do you make of this kind of umpiring? #ZIMvIRE pic.twitter.com/1h5ByXYkdH

— M A Y O R OF KWEKWE 🌴 (@bxllyville) February 16, 2025

Blessing Muzarabani (14) is now Zimbabwe’s leading wicket-taker against Ireland, having gone past Sean Williams (13) with the wicket of Andy Balbirnie.#ZIMvIRE #ZIMvsIRE @ACScricket @ZimCricketv @cricketireland

— Rodney Ulyate (@rodneyulyate) February 16, 2025

Also READ: Fans react as Brian Benett’s masterclass paves the way for Zimbabwe’s dominance over Ireland in the 1st ODI