Ireland Women kicked off their T20I series against Zimbabwe Women with an impressive six-wicket win at the Pembroke Cricket Club in Dublin. Led by a brilliant knock from captain Gaby Lewis and a disciplined bowling performance, the home side outclassed Zimbabwe to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Cara Murray sizzles with the ball
The first T20I saw Ireland opting to bowl first after winning the toss, a decision that paid off handsomely. The bowlers applied pressure early and kept things tight throughout the innings. Chipo Mugeri offered some resistance for Zimbabwe with a patient 42 off 50 balls, but the visiting side failed to accelerate in the latter stages. Cara Murray starred with the ball, claiming 3 wickets for just 19 runs in her four overs. Zimbabwe managed to post a modest 117/9 in their allotted 20 overs.
Gaby Lewis powers Ireland to comfortable win
Chasing a target of 118, Ireland got off to a cautious start but remained in control thanks to a commanding innings from Lewis. The right-handed opener struck 67 runs off 49 balls, anchoring the chase despite minor hiccups along the way. Zimbabwe’s Kudzai Chigora tried to pull things back with two quick wickets, but the Irish batters comfortably reached the target in 16.4 overs, finishing the game with six wickets in hand.
Lewis’s standout performance earned her the Player of the Match award. Her calm and composed innings not only guided Ireland to victory but also set the tone for the remainder of the series. Ireland will look to continue their momentum when the two sides meet again in the upcoming matches.
Also READ: IRE-W vs ZIM-W 2025, T20I and ODI Series: Date, Match Time, Broadcast and Live Streaming details
