Ireland tour of Zimbabwe, 2025 – Series Digest

1st ODI – Bennett's 169 fires Zimbabwe to victory

Brian Bennett scored 169 – the fifth-highest individual score by a Zimbabwe batter in ODIs – as Zimbabwe won by 49 runs over Ireland in Harare. Bennett struck 20 fours and three sixes in his 163-ball innings, sharing partnerships worth 95 with Ben Curran and 136 with captain Craig Ervine.

Zimbabwe were 231 for 2 after 41 overs but failed to get the finishing kick they would have wanted. Ireland hit back with quick wickets, even as Bennett held fort. Josh Little conceded 75 from his nine overs.

Despite losing Andrew Balbirnie to the first ball of the chase, Ireland were in the game for a good part of the second innings. Paul Stirling and Curtis Campher then stitched a brisk 55-run stand for the second wicket. However, six Irish batters crossed 30 but none managed more than Campher's 44. Ireland eventually lost their final four wickets for just eight runs. Blessing Muzarabani finished with 4 for 51 while Richard Ngarava picked up three wickets.

**Brief scores:**Zimbabwe 299/5 in 50 overs (Brian Bennett 169, Craig Ervine 66; Mark Adair 2-55) beat Ireland 250 in 46 overs (Curtis Campher 44; Blessing Muzarabani 4-51, Richard Ngarava 3-56) by 49 runs.