HARARE - Zimbabwe XI have shot up to second in the International Cricket Council Intercontinental Cup standings thanks to an impressive showing against Ireland.ICC said this week Zimbabwe XI now have 72 points from the five matches they have played in the competition and are in the second position behind Afghanistan (77).
Ireland meanwhile earned three points from the game and ended their ICC Intercontinental Cup campaign with 55 points from six games. On the final day of the four-day match on Sunday, Zimbabwe XI ended their innings at 590 to claim nine points on the basis of their lead of 125 runs.
In their second innings, Ireland could only play out time and ended the proceedings at 151 for four wickets. Ireland skipper William Porterfield gave something for the visitors to cheer about with his 104-ball 66 laced with 11 boundaries. Niall O’Brien (41:117b, 5×4) and Gary Wilson (35 not out: 70b, 3×4, 1×6) played cameos, but it did not make any difference to the end result.
ICC organises the Intercontinental Cup to enhance member countries’ chances of returning to Test playing status. Ireland are the defending champions of the tournament having won it the first three times. Zimbabwe is eying a return to Test cricket after about five years on the sidelines following a spectacular loss of form
following the mass resignation of senior players.
Post published in: Football