This event has expired more betting tips

Ireland vs Zimbabwe 1st T20 Tips & Preview - Ireland win predicted

By Ramesh Jegatheeswaran

26 Aug 2021

Ramesh Jegatheeswaran 26 Aug 2021

Share this article

Ireland vs Zimbabwe predictions for Friday’s T20I cricket match
Paul Stirling hit 61 runs in his last match in The Hundred
Can Ireland bounce back from their last series defeat?
Tips, stats, team news & preview

Ireland can win 1st T20 against Zimbabwe in Dublin (Getty Images)

Ireland vs Zimbabwe Preview

Home ground advantage should give Ireland a slight edge in this series. It will be closely fought but the return to form of Paul Stirling poses great danger to Zimbabwe’s bowlers. I am backing Ireland to win the 1st T20.

Ireland vs Zimbabwe Preview
Head to Head
Ireland Form
Ireland Team News
Zimbabwe Form
Zimbabwe Team News
Ireland vs Zimbabwe FAQs

Ireland’s Paul Stirling has scored 31 & 61 runs in his last 2 matches (The Hundred).
Zimbabwe’s Wessley Madhevere has scored 73 & 54 runs in his last 2 T20Is.
Zimbabwe have lost 5 of their last 6 T20 matches.

Head to Head

Ireland lead 2-1 in their three T20I matches against Zimbabwe. They last met in July 2019 where Zimbabwe won by eight wickets.

Ireland Form

Ireland lost their most recent T20I series 3-0 at home to South Africa. While that was very much expected, Ireland would have taken plenty of confidence from their performances.

In the 3rd T20I in Belfast Ireland bowled first. The bowlers really struggled and only managed two wickets as South Africa posted a 189-run total.

Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie scored 18 and 27 respectively but they had no support. Ireland eventually reached 140-9 after 20 overs, losing by 49 runs.

Ireland Team News

The positive for Ireland is the return to form of opening batsman, Paul Stirling. He scored 31 and 61 runs in his final two matches of The Hundred.

Curtis Campher will be looking to make his debut after receiving his maiden T20 call-up.

Zimbabwe Form

Zimbabwe have lost five of their last six T20I fixtures. After a 3-0 series loss to Pakistan they suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Bangladesh.

Batting first in the 3rd T20 in Harare, Zimbabwe posted a good total of 193 runs. Wessley Madhevere top scored with 54 runs while Regis Chakabva smashed 48 from 22 balls.

Bangladesh however managed to chase the total down with four balls to spare. Blessing Muzarabani took 2-27 in four overs but got little support from the others. He has had a fantastic 2021 and continues to produce some of the best figures in the T20 game.

Zimbabwe Team News

Craig Ervine will captain the Zimbabwe side after Sean Williams pulled out of all international cricket.

On the batting front Zimbabwe will hope that Regis Chakabva and Wessley Madhevere will continue their fine form. They also heavily rely on Blessing Muzarabani on the bowling front.