New Delhi: Ireland scripted history by registering their maiden Test win in Zimbabwe with a 68-run victory on Day 5 of the one-off Test at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo on Monday. The impressive result was Ireland’s third consecutive Test victory, which also helped them maintain a hundred per cent record against Zimbabwe. Ireland’s previous Test win was also against Zimbabwe last year in Belfast.
Matthew Humphreys was the star of the show with a maiden five-wicket haul. He finished with brilliant figures of 6/57 from 28 overs – the best ever bowling return for Ireland in Test cricket.
Resuming, at 183/7, still 109 runs adrift of the target, Zimbabwe were rocked early when Humphreys struck in the second over of the day, dismissing Newman Nyamhuri on 8. Wesly Madhevere fought valiantly to score 84 but ran out of partners as Zimbabwe fell short of the 298-run target.
England only nation to not win a Test in Zimbabwe
Ireland’s win in Bulawayo means that England are the only nation to that has never won a Test in Zimbabwe. Ireland became the latest nation after India, Australia, West Indies, South Africa, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan to win a Test on Zimbabwean soil, leaving England, Ireland’s “British Brothers” in an embarrassing situation. England have only toured Zimbabwe for a Test series once in 1996-97 when the series was drawn 2-2.
With Ireland win today,
England🏴 is the ONLY team that never won a Test in Zimbabwe!!
(drawn 2 out of 2)
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) February 10, 2025
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s red-ball struggles continued as their winless streak stretched to 10 matches. The African nation has not won a Test since 2020-21 when they beat Afghanistan.
Andy McBrine was named Player of the Match for his all-round performance. The Irish ace scored a crucial 90 in the first innings and picked a four-wicket match haul including a superb spell of 3/59 in the first essay.
Brief score:
Ireland 260 (56.4 overs; A McBrine 90*; B Muzarabani 7/58)
Zimbabwe 267 (86.1 overs; N Welch 90; B McCarthy 4/75)
Ireland 298 (93.3 overs; A Balbirnie 66; R Ngarava 4/55) Zimbabwe 228 (86.4 overs; W Madhevere 84; M Humphreys 6-57)
Ireland recorded a landmark win with a 68-run victory on Day 5 of the one-off Test at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo on Monday. But why this win is a source of embarrassment for England? Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
