Ireland beat Zimbabwe by 6 wickets in the recently concluded second T20I at the Harare Sports Club. The development has made way for an intriguing series-decider to be played at the same venue tomorrow.
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Chasing a 145-run target, Ireland thrived on the back of opening batter Ross Adair’s maiden T20I half-century in only his second international match.
Opening the batting with captain Andy Balbirnie (33) with a tried and tested name in Paul Stirling representing Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in International League T20 2023, Ross grabbed the opportunity with both hands to score a match-winning 65 (47) comprising two fours and four sixes before getting out to Zimbabwe pacer Richard Ngarava (4-0-32-1) right before the slog overs.
In addition to Player of the Match Ross Adair, Ireland also benefited from pacer Graham Hume picking bowling figures of 4-0-17-3 in his second T20I. Apart from their best batter and bowler on the day, the visitors were also powered by all-rounder Harry Tector’s (2/22 and 26) all-round efforts on Saturday.
Are Mark Adair and Ross Adair brothers?
For those who are confused due to Ross Adair and Mark Adair having common surnames, it is noteworthy that the two are brothers.
Latest pair of brothers to represent Ireland, Adairs have joined the likes of Niall O’Brien and Kevin O’Brien, Boyd Rankin and David Rankin, Ed Joyce and Dom Joyce, Andrew Poynter and Stuart Poynter and Paul Mooney and John Mooney.
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Younger of the two, 26-year old Mark has already played 87 matches across formats for Ireland since debuting some three and a half years ago. Ross, 28, on the other hand, has only played a combined total of 24 List A and T20 matches since first playing a competitive match in 2020.
Ross, who had been dismissed by Ngarava in his T20I debut earlier this week as well, would be looking to register another impact-generating performance on Sunday knowing that Stirling will regain the spot upon his return to national duty.
