You want an underdog rivalry? You have found one. The Ireland Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Timeline is not about two cricketing superpowers slugging it out under floodlights. It is about two proud, scrappy teams who have spent decades trying to earn a seat at the top table of world cricket. And honestly? Watching them play each other is often more entertaining than any blockbuster clash.
From a famous World Cup tie in 2007 to a rain-soaked drama in Pallekele in 2026, the Ireland Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Timeline is packed with storylines, heartbreaks, record-breakers, and moments that made cricket fans sit up and take notice.
So let us walk through it, year by year, stat by stat.
Last Updated: June 18, 2026
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only. All match data, statistics, and records have been compiled from publicly available and reputable cricket databases. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and reliability, readers are encouraged to verify important information with official sources, as cricket records are subject to updates and revisions.
Where It All Began: The 2007 World Cup Tie
The very first time these two teams met was at the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup in the West Indies. And what a start it was.
Ireland and Zimbabwe played out a rare tie in Kingston, Jamaica, on March 15, 2007. Both teams scored 221. Neither could separate themselves. For Zimbabwe, it was a point salvaged during a difficult period for their cricket. For Ireland, who famously beat Pakistan in that same tournament, it was a sign they belonged.
This match sits at the very foundation of the Ireland Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Timeline and set the tone for what has become a genuinely competitive, near-perfectly balanced rivalry.
Ireland Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Head-to-Head Overview
Here is the big picture across all formats, sourced from ESPNcricinfo records.
| Format | Matches Played | Ireland Wins | Zimbabwe Wins | Tied | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 25 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 3 |
| T20I | 18 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 2 |
| Test | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 46 | 21 | 19 | 1 | 5 |
As balanced as it gets. One team wins, then the other claws back. That is the rhythm of the Ireland Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team rivalry and it is why cricket fans keep coming back.
ODI Head-to-Head: All 25 Matches
The ODI record sits at Ireland 11, Zimbabwe 10, with one tie and three no-results. Twenty-five matches. Every single one of them has mattered. Here is the full verified list from ESPNcricinfo.
Ireland Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Head-to-Head (ODI)
| Date | Venue | Winner | Margin | Ireland Score | Zimbabwe Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Mar 2007 | Kingston | Tied | Tied | 221/9 | 221 |
| 17 Oct 2008 | Nairobi (Gym) | Zimbabwe | 156 runs | IRE batting 2nd | ZIM won |
| 26 Sep 2010 | Harare | Zimbabwe | 2 wickets | 288/4 (IRE 1st inn) | ZIM chased |
| 28 Sep 2010 | Harare | Zimbabwe | 3 wickets | IRE innings | ZIM chased |
| 30 Sep 2010 | Harare | Ireland | 20 runs | IRE set total | ZIM 20 short |
| 7 Mar 2015 | Hobart (WC) | Ireland | 5 runs | IRE set total | ZIM 5 short |
| 9 Oct 2015 | Harare | Zimbabwe | 2 wickets | IRE innings | ZIM chased |
| 11 Oct 2015 | Harare | Zimbabwe | 5 wickets | IRE innings | ZIM chased |
| 13 Oct 2015 | Harare | Ireland | 2 wickets | IRE chased | ZIM innings |
| 16 Mar 2018 | Harare | Zimbabwe | 107 runs | IRE innings | ZIM set total |
| 1 Jul 2019 | Bready | Ireland | 4 wickets | IRE chased | ZIM innings |
| 4 Jul 2019 | Belfast | Ireland | 5 runs | IRE set total | ZIM 5 short |
| 7 Jul 2019 | Belfast | Ireland | 7 wickets | IRE chased | ZIM innings |
| 8 Sep 2021 | Belfast | Zimbabwe | 38 runs | IRE innings | ZIM set total |
| 10 Sep 2021 | Belfast | No Result | Rain | N/A | N/A |
| 13 Sep 2021 | Belfast | Ireland | 7 wickets | IRE chased | ZIM innings |
| 18 Jan 2023 | Harare | Zimbabwe | 3 wickets (DLS) | 288/4 | 214/7 (T:214 DLS) |
| 21 Jan 2023 | Harare | Ireland | 46 runs | IRE set total | ZIM fell short |
| 23 Jan 2023 | Harare | No Result | Rain | N/A | N/A |
| 13 Dec 2023 | Harare | No Result | Rain | N/A | N/A |
| 15 Dec 2023 | Harare | Ireland | 4 wickets (DLS) | 204/3 (T:201 DLS) | 197 |
| 17 Dec 2023 | Harare | Ireland | 7 wickets | 204/3 | 181 |
| 14 Feb 2025 | Harare | Zimbabwe | 49 runs | 250 | 299/5 |
| 16 Feb 2025 | Harare | Ireland | 6 wickets | 233/5 | 232 |
| 18 Feb 2025 | Harare | Zimbabwe | 9 wickets | 240 | 241/1 |
The T20I Story: 8 Wins Each
In T20 international cricket, the Ireland Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team record is perfectly balanced — 8 wins apiece from 18 completed matches, with 2 no-results. It does not get more even than that.
Ireland Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Head-to-Head (T20I)
| Date | Venue | Winner | Margin | Ireland Score | Zimbabwe Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Mar 2014 | Sylhet (T20 WC) | Ireland | 3 wickets | 119/7 | 116/8 |
| 12 Jul 2019 | Bready | Ireland | 9 wickets | IRE chased | ZIM innings |
| 14 Jul 2019 | Bready | Zimbabwe | 8 wickets | IRE innings | ZIM chased |
| 27 Aug 2021 | Dublin | Zimbabwe | 3 runs | IRE innings | ZIM won |
| 29 Aug 2021 | Dublin | Ireland | 7 wickets | IRE chased | ZIM innings |
| 1 Sep 2021 | Bready | Ireland | 40 runs | IRE set total | ZIM 40 short |
| 2 Sep 2021 | Bready | Ireland | 64 runs | IRE set total | ZIM 64 short |
| 4 Sep 2021 | Bready | Zimbabwe | 5 runs | IRE innings | ZIM won |
| 17 Oct 2022 | Hobart (T20 WC) | Zimbabwe | 31 runs | 174/8 | 175/8 |
| 12 Jan 2023 | Harare | Zimbabwe | 5 wickets | 114 | 118/5 |
| 14 Jan 2023 | Harare | Ireland | 6 wickets | IRE chased | ZIM innings |
| 15 Jan 2023 | Harare | Zimbabwe | 4 wickets | 141/9 | 144/6 |
| 7 Dec 2023 | Harare | Zimbabwe | 1 wicket | IRE innings | ZIM chased |
| 9 Dec 2023 | Harare | Ireland | 4 wickets | IRE chased | ZIM innings |
| 10 Dec 2023 | Harare | Ireland | 6 wickets | 141/4 | 140/6 |
| 22 Feb 2025 | Harare | No Result | Rain | N/A (ZIM 77/5 in 9 ov) | N/A |
| 23 Feb 2025 | Harare | Zimbabwe | 3 wickets | 137/8 | 141/7 |
| 25 Feb 2025 | Harare | No Result | Rain | N/A (ZIM 142/6 in 18 ov) | N/A |
| 17 Feb 2026 | Pallekele (T20 WC) | No Result | Match abandoned | N/A | N/A |
Note: The 17 Feb 2026 T20 World Cup match in Pallekele was abandoned without a ball bowled. Zimbabwe qualified for the Super 8 stage. This match is not counted in the completed T20I tally.
Test Cricket: Three Tests, Two for Ireland
This is the newest chapter of the Ireland Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Timeline. Ireland only received Full Member status from the ICC in 2017, making Test cricket between these two nations a recent development.
Ireland Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Head-to-Head (Test)
| Match | Date | Venue | Ireland 1st Inn | Zimbabwe 1st Inn | Ireland 2nd Inn | Zimbabwe 2nd Inn | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Only Test | 25-28 Jul 2024 | Belfast | 250 | 210 | 158/6 | 197 | Ireland won by 4 wickets |
| Only Test | 6-10 Feb 2025 | Bulawayo | 260 | 267 | 298 | 228 | Ireland won by 63 runs |
Additional Test note: ESPNcricinfo records confirm Ireland have played Zimbabwe in two Tests as of June 2026 — Belfast 2024 and Bulawayo 2025. Ireland won both.
Belfast 2024 highlights: Andy McBrine took 3/37 and 4/38 and hit an unbeaten 55. Lorcan Tucker scored 56. Ireland chased down 158 in the fourth innings to win by 4 wickets.
Bulawayo 2025 highlights: Matthew Humphreys took a career-best 6/57. Andy McBrine scored 90* in Ireland’s first innings. Blessing Muzarabani claimed 7/58 for Zimbabwe in Ireland’s first innings but it was not enough. Ireland completed their first ever hat-trick of Test wins.
ICC Matches Between Ireland and Zimbabwe
ICC ODI World Cup Meetings
| Year | Tournament | Venue | Date | Winner | Ireland Score | Zimbabwe Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | ICC Cricket World Cup | Kingston, Jamaica | 15 Mar 2007 | Tied | 221/9 | 221 |
Neither team has met in a 50-over World Cup since 2007. Their qualification paths have not overlapped in subsequent editions.
ICC T20 World Cup Meetings
| Year | Tournament | Venue | Date | Winner | Ireland Score | Zimbabwe Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | ICC T20 World Cup | Sylhet | 17 Mar 2014 | Ireland | 119/7 | 116/8 |
| 2022 | ICC T20 World Cup | Hobart | 17 Oct 2022 | Zimbabwe | 175/8 | 174/8 |
| 2026 | ICC T20 World Cup | Pallekele, Kandy | 17 Feb 2026 | No Result | Match abandoned | Match abandoned |
ICC Champions Trophy Meetings
| Year | Tournament | Result |
|---|---|---|
| No meetings recorded | N/A | Ireland and Zimbabwe have not faced each other in any ICC Champions Trophy edition as of June 2026 |
Rivalry: Key Players and Memorable Performances (Era-Wise to 2026)
Early Era (2007-2015): Building the Rivalry
The first ODI encounters outside of the World Cup came in Nairobi 2008 and Harare 2010. Zimbabwe dominated those early series. Their experienced batting lineup, anchored by Brendan Taylor and Elton Chigumbura, was too strong for a young Irish side still finding its feet.
Kevin O’Brien was Ireland’s standout in this era, along with Paul Stirling at the top of the order and captain William Porterfield providing the anchor role. The 2015 ODI World Cup saw Ireland beat Zimbabwe by 5 runs in Hobart, a result that gave the rivalry a new twist.
Middle Era (2015-2021): Growing as a Nation
After Ireland’s ICC Full Member status in 2017, the dynamic changed. The 2018 Harare ODI was a rare Zimbabwe dominant showing, winning by 107 runs. But the 2019 series in Ireland flipped it. Ireland won all three ODIs at home.
The 2021 home series in Belfast saw Zimbabwe win the first ODI before Ireland took the last. In the T20Is, Zimbabwe edged the series 3-2 after Ireland had led 2-1, with Sikandar Raza as the key man for Zimbabwe throughout.
On the Irish side, Mark Adair built a formidable record against Zimbabwe. Lorcan Tucker emerged as a reliable wicketkeeper-batter. Curtis Campher became a genuine match-winner with both bat and ball.
Recent Era (2022-2026): Tests, Titles, and Rain Drama
2022 T20 World Cup, Hobart: Zimbabwe edged Ireland by one run in a finish that left Irish fans heartbroken. Ireland made 174/8; Zimbabwe crossed in the final over with 175/8.
2023 series in Harare: Zimbabwe took the ODI series 2-1 and swept the T20I series 2-1. Ryan Burl was outstanding with both bat and ball across the T20Is, earning the Player of the Series award.
2023-24 series in Zimbabwe: Ireland bounced back in December, winning the T20I series 2-1 and the ODI series 2-0 (with one no-result). Harry Tector topped the ODI run-charts. George Dockrell starred in the T20Is.
2024 Belfast Test: Ireland’s first ever Test on home soil against Zimbabwe. A tightly contested match ended with Ireland winning by 4 wickets. Andy McBrine was the standout performer with bat and ball.
2025 Bulawayo Test: Ireland completed their hat-trick of Test wins. Matthew Humphreys took 6/57 to skittle Zimbabwe for 228 in the second innings. Ireland won by 63 runs.
2025 ODI series in Harare: Zimbabwe won 2-1. Ben Curran scored an unbeaten 118 in the third ODI. Brian Bennett hit a century in the first ODI. Ireland’s consolation win came via Curtis Campher (3 wickets + 144-run stand with Stirling).
2025 T20I series in Harare: Zimbabwe won the series via no-results and Zimbabwe’s sole completed win, with the second T20I going to Zimbabwe by 3 wickets. Tony Munyonga hit 43* to seal it.
2026 T20 World Cup, Pallekele: The match on February 17, 2026, was abandoned without a ball bowled. Zimbabwe qualified for the Super 8 stage. Ireland and Australia were eliminated.
Ireland Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Stats
Highest Team Totals (Bilateral Matches)
| Team | Score | Format | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | 298 | Test (2nd inn) | Bulawayo | 2025 |
| Zimbabwe | 299/5 | ODI | Harare | 2025 |
| Ireland | 288/4 | ODI | Harare | 2023 |
| Zimbabwe | 267 | Test (1st inn) | Bulawayo | 2025 |
| Ireland | 260 | Test (1st inn) | Bulawayo | 2025 |
| Ireland | 250 | Test (1st inn) | Belfast | 2024 |
Lowest Totals in an Innings
| Team | Score | Format | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | 114 | T20I | Harare | 2023 |
| Zimbabwe | 116/8 | T20I | Sylhet | 2014 |
| Ireland | 137/8 | T20I | Harare | 2025 |
| Zimbabwe | 140/6 | T20I | Harare | 2023 |
| Zimbabwe | 197 | ODI | Harare | 2023 (DLS) |
| Ireland | 174/8 | T20I | Hobart | 2022 |
Greatest Victories
| Winner | Margin | Format | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | 156 runs | ODI | Nairobi | 2008 |
| Zimbabwe | 107 runs | ODI | Harare | 2018 |
| Ireland | 64 runs | T20I | Bready | 2021 |
| Ireland | 63 runs | Test | Bulawayo | 2025 |
| Zimbabwe | 49 runs | ODI | Harare | 2025 |
| Ireland | 4 wickets | Test | Belfast | 2024 |
Ireland Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Matches Stats Snapshot
| Stat | Ireland | Zimbabwe |
|---|---|---|
| Total ODI wins vs opponent | 11 | 10 |
| Total T20I wins vs opponent | 8 | 8 |
| Total Test wins vs opponent | 2 | 1 |
| Best Test innings score vs opponent | 298 (Bulawayo, 2025) | 267 (Bulawayo, 2025) |
| Best ODI score vs opponent | 288/4 (Harare, 2023) | 299/5 (Harare, 2025) |
| Best T20I score vs opponent | 175/8 (Hobart, 2022) | 141/7 (Harare, 2025) |
| Most T20I wickets vs opponent | Mark Adair – 24 | Blessing Muzarabani – 8 |
| Player of T20I Series (2023) | Ryan Burl (ZIM) | Ryan Burl (ZIM) |
| Player of T20I Series (2023-24) | Harry Tector (IRE) | Harry Tector (IRE) |
| Best Test bowling vs opponent | Matthew Humphreys 6/57 (IRE) | Blessing Muzarabani 7/58 (ZIM) |
Expert Opinion
Cricket analysts who closely follow Associate and Full Member cricket consistently highlight the Ireland Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Timeline as one of the most genuinely competitive bilateral rivalries outside the traditional powers.
ESPNcricinfo’s coverage of the 2025 Test in Bulawayo noted that Ireland’s achievement of three consecutive Test wins was historic — no team had reached that milestone in fewer Test matches. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, showed enough fight across all three Tests to suggest they remain competitive in the format.
On Zimbabwe’s bowling strength: Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani have become a genuinely potent new-ball pair. Muzarabani’s 7/58 in Bulawayo 2025 was one of the best bowling performances Ireland has faced in Test cricket.
On Ireland’s batting depth: Andy McBrine batting at number eight and regularly scoring crucial runs — 90* in Bulawayo, 55* in Belfast — says everything about how far Ireland’s Test batting culture has developed.
Where To Watch Ireland Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team
If you want to catch the next chapter of the Ireland Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team rivalry live, here is where to look depending on your location.
| Region | Broadcaster |
|---|---|
| UK and Ireland | Sky Sports Cricket |
| Africa (inc. Zimbabwe) | SuperSport |
| USA | ESPN / Willow TV |
| Non-exclusive ICC markets | ICC.tv |
| Highlights worldwide | Cricket Ireland YouTube channel |
The 2026 T20 World Cup: Rain Decides Everything
The Ireland Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team match on February 17, 2026, at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka, was the most dramatic non-event in this rivalry’s history.
Zimbabwe went in needing just one point to qualify for the Super 8 stage for the very first time. Ireland, on two points, needed a win to keep their own campaign alive and — as it happened — they were also keeping Australia’s faint hopes going.
Zimbabwe had four points in Group B. Ireland had two. Australia had two. Sri Lanka had already confirmed qualification.
Rain fell. Toss was delayed. The drizzle kept coming. The covers stayed on. The outfield waterlogged. After hours of waiting, the umpires declared the match abandoned without a ball bowled.
Zimbabwe qualified for the Super 8 stage — their first ever at a T20 World Cup. Ireland and Australia were eliminated. The Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Vs Ireland Cricket Team rivalry had just produced its most consequential non-event.
Sikandar Raza called it emotional. Lorcan Tucker was philosophical. As cricket endings go, it was deeply unsatisfying and completely unforgettable at the same time.
A Review of the 2024-25 Ireland Tour of Zimbabwe
This was the richest series between these two sides in years, covering all three formats.
The Test (Bulawayo, Feb 6-10, 2025): Ireland won by 63 runs. Andy McBrine scored 90* in the first innings and took 3/59. Matthew Humphreys returned 6/57 in Zimbabwe’s second innings. Ireland’s first tour Test win in Zimbabwe. Their third consecutive Test win overall.
ODI Series (Harare, Feb 14-18, 2025): Zimbabwe won 2-1. Brian Bennett hit a century in ODI 1. Ben Curran hit an unbeaten 118 in ODI 3 to seal the series. Curtis Campher’s 3 wickets and 89 from Paul Stirling won ODI 2 for Ireland. Zimbabwe’s first ODI series win against a Full Member since 2022.
T20I Series (Harare, Feb 22-25, 2025): Zimbabwe won the series. ODI 1 and ODI 3 were both abandoned due to rain. The second T20I was the only completed game; Zimbabwe won by 3 wickets thanks to Tony Munyonga’s match-winning 43*.
Conclusion
The Ireland Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Timeline is proof that you do not need billion-dollar broadcast deals or celebrity cricketers to produce compelling cricket. Two teams fighting for respect at the top level have built a rivalry that is near-perfectly balanced across all formats and still very much alive.
From the tied World Cup match in Kingston in 2007 to the rain drama in Pallekele in 2026, from Belfast’s first Test to Ireland’s hat-trick of wins in Bulawayo, every chapter of the Ireland Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team story has been worth reading.
The Ireland Cricket Team Vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Stats across all formats tell a story of equality. In the ODIs it is 11-10 to Ireland. In the T20Is it is 8-8. In Tests, Ireland lead 2-1. No team has dominated this rivalry. That is exactly what makes it special.
With Zimbabwe now in the Super 8 of the T20 World Cup and Ireland building their Test credentials, the next series between these two sides will be just as watchable. Count on it.
? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. When did Ireland and Zimbabwe first play each other in cricket?
They first met at the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup in Kingston, Jamaica on March 15, 2007. The match ended in a tie, with both teams scoring 221.
Q2. Who leads the head-to-head record between Ireland and Zimbabwe?
In ODIs, Ireland leads 11-10. In T20Is, both teams are level at 8 wins each. In Tests, Ireland lead 2-1 after wins in Belfast (2024) and Bulawayo (2025).
Q3. How many Tests have Ireland and Zimbabwe played?
Two Tests as of June 2026. Ireland won the July 2024 Belfast Test by 4 wickets and the February 2025 Bulawayo Test by 63 runs.
Q4. What happened in the Ireland vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026 match?
The match in Pallekele on February 17, 2026, was abandoned without a ball bowled due to persistent rain. Zimbabwe qualified for the Super 8 stage as a result. Ireland and Australia were eliminated.
Q5. Who has been the most impactful player in this rivalry recently?
Andy McBrine (Ireland) has been outstanding in Tests, while Ryan Burl (Zimbabwe) was the 2023 T20I series hero. Mark Adair leads all bowlers in T20I wickets against Zimbabwe with 24.
Q6. Where can I watch Ireland vs Zimbabwe matches live?
Sky Sports (UK/Ireland), SuperSport (Africa), ESPN/Willow TV (USA), and ICC.tv for ICC events.
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