Introduction
One ball. One wicket. One run to win. That was all Zimbabwe needed against Ireland at the 2007 World Cup, and they could not get it. The match ended in a tie, and a rivalry was born.
This guide tracks the Ireland cricket team vs Zimbabwe national cricket team timeline from that afternoon at Sabina Park to the rain-hit meeting at the 2026 T20 World Cup. You will find every Test, ODI and T20I result, with dates, venues, team scores, wickets, balls faced and standout performers.
If you have ever searched for the Ireland vs Zimbabwe head-to-head record or wanted one clean Ireland Zimbabwe cricket timeline, this article puts it all in one place, updated to September 2026. Across 45 men’s internationals, Ireland lead 21–18 with one tie and five no-results. Nothing separates these two teams for long.
Table of Contents
Ireland Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Timeline: Overview and Background
To understand this rivalry, you need to know where the two teams stood when it began.
Zimbabwe is a long-established Full Member of the ICC and has played Test cricket since 1992. Ireland grew as an Associate nation through the 2000s and became a Full Member in 2017. Their first Test came in 2018. In 2007 the match-up felt like giant-killers against a Test nation. By 2025 it felt like a contest between equals.
The rivalry matters for three reasons:
- It is close. Ireland lead 2–0 in Tests and 11–10 in ODIs, while T20Is are level at 8–8.
- The stakes have often been high. Two World Cups, a World Cup Qualifier, two T20 World Cups and the ODI Super League all produced meetings between them.
- Home advantage is real. Zimbabwe won at home in 2010, 2015 and 2018. Ireland won at home in 2019 and 2021. Ireland also broke the pattern with wins in Zimbabwe in December 2023 and February 2025.
The teams have played 25 ODIs, 18 T20Is and 2 Tests. Different stats sites count a few early matches differently, so treat small differences between websites as normal. The numbers here come from scorecards on ESPNcricinfo and Wikipedia tour pages.
Early Era (2007 – 2015): A Tie, a Thriller and Zimbabwe’s Home Edge
The 2007 World Cup tie
The first chapter of this Ireland vs Zimbabwe timeline was written on 15 March 2007 at Sabina Park, Kingston, in Ireland’s first World Cup match. Ireland scored 221/9 in 50 overs, and Zimbabwe were bowled out for exactly 221.
Jeremy Bray was the hero with an unbeaten 115 off 137 balls. For Zimbabwe, Stuart Matsikenyeri made 73 not out off 76 balls and Vusi Sibanda hit 67 off 84. With Zimbabwe’s last pair at the crease and nine needed, Andrew White bowled a superb last over and gave away only eight. A last-ball run-out then ended the match as a tie. It was only the third tie in World Cup history.
Ireland went on to beat Pakistan and reach the Super 8s, while Zimbabwe went out. The tie on day one helped turn Irish cricket from a curiosity into a serious force.
Nairobi, 2008
The next meeting was less romantic. At the Gymkhana Club in Nairobi on 17 October 2008, Zimbabwe made 303/8 and bowled Ireland out for 147 in 46.1 overs. That was a 156-run win, the biggest run margin in any ODI between the two teams. Tatenda Taibu (74 off 99), Hamilton Masakadza (72 off 66) and Chamu Chibhabha (51 off 69) did the damage. Rain then washed out the rest of the tri-series, and the trophy was shared between Zimbabwe and Kenya.
Harare, 2010
In September 2010, Ireland toured Zimbabwe for three ODIs at Harare Sports Club. Zimbabwe won the series 2–1, and two games went to the last ball or close to it:
- 26 September: Zimbabwe chased 201 and won by two wickets off the final ball. Ed Rainsford took 4/23, and Gary Wilson top-scored for Ireland with 69.
- 28 September: Zimbabwe chased 239 with 7 balls to spare. Brendan Taylor made 71 off 99, while Kevin O’Brien’s unbeaten 73 was not enough.
- 30 September: Ireland won by 20 runs, 244 to 224, for a consolation win.
First T20I meeting: Sylhet, 2014
The teams first met in T20 internationals at the 2014 World T20 in Bangladesh. On 17 March 2014, Zimbabwe scored 163/5, with Brendan Taylor making 59 off 46. Ireland chased down 164 with 164/7 off the very last ball. Paul Stirling was player of the match with 60 off 34.
The 2015 World Cup thriller in Hobart
The best match of this era came on 7 March 2015 at Bellerive Oval, Hobart. Ireland scored 331/8, and Zimbabwe were bowled out for 326 in 49.3 overs. Ireland won by five runs.
The key performances were:
- Ed Joyce hit 112 off 103 balls and was player of the match.
- Andy Balbirnie made 97 off 79 balls, and the pair shared a 138-run third-wicket stand.
- Brendan Taylor (121 off 91) and Sean Williams (96) added 149 for the fifth wicket and almost pulled off the chase.
- Alex Cusack took 4/32 and removed the last two Zimbabwe wickets in the first three balls of the final over.
The match produced 657 runs. Ireland’s 331 was their highest score at a World Cup.
October 2015: Zimbabwe strike back at home
Zimbabwe won the three-match ODI series 2–1 in Harare. They won the first by two wickets (222/8 chasing 220), with Craig Ervine and Sikandar Raza both making 60. They won the second by five wickets (270/5 chasing 269), with Ervine unbeaten on a century. Ireland won the third by two wickets, chasing 188 with 189/8 and 19 balls to spare.
Mid Era (2016 – 2021): Ireland Take Control in Ireland
Harare, 2018
The next big meeting came at the World Cup Qualifier. On 16 March 2018, in a Super Six match at Harare Sports Club, Zimbabwe recovered from 87/5 and 139/7 to post 211/9. Sikandar Raza made an unbeaten 69 off 83 and shared a key 42-run stand with Tendai Chisoro. Ireland collapsed to 104 in 34.2 overs, and eight of their wickets fell to spin. Zimbabwe won by 107 runs. Raza took 1/11 as well and was player of the match.
Ireland’s 2019 clean sweep
Zimbabwe toured Ireland in the summer of 2019, and the mood changed. Ireland won the ODI series 3–0, their first ODI clean sweep against a Full Member, and drew the T20I series 1–1.
First ODI (Bready, 1 July): Craig Ervine made 105 off 117 in Zimbabwe’s 254/9. Ireland chased it down with 258/6 in 48.3 overs, with Andy Balbirnie making 101 off 112 and Paul Stirling 57 off 74.
Second ODI (Belfast, 4 July): Ireland made 242/9, and Zimbabwe finished on 237/9. Ireland won by five runs and sealed the series.
Third ODI (Belfast, 7 July): Zimbabwe made 190, and Ireland chased it with 191/4 in 41.2 overs to win by six wickets. Tim Murtagh took nine wickets across the series and was player of the series.
In the T20Is, Paul Stirling hit an unbeaten 83 off 36 balls as Ireland chased 133 with 134/1 in 10.5 overs, winning by nine wickets (DLS). Zimbabwe answered two days later. Craig Ervine (68*) and Sean Williams (58) added 111 for the third wicket, a Zimbabwe T20I record, to chase 172 with 16.4 overs used.
The 2021 tour and the ODI Super League
Zimbabwe returned in late summer 2021 for five T20Is and three ODIs, which counted towards the World Cup Super League.
T20Is (Ireland won 3–2):
- 27 August, Dublin: Zimbabwe won by 3 runs, 117/7 to 114/9.
- 29 August, Dublin: Ireland chased 153 with 153/3 in 18.3 overs to win by seven wickets.
- 1 September, Bready: Ireland made 178/2, and Stirling hit his first T20I century. Zimbabwe were all out for 138, and Ireland won by 40 runs.
- 2 September, Bready: Ireland made 174/4 and bowled Zimbabwe out for 110/9, winning by 64 runs and sealing the series.
- 4 September, Bready: Zimbabwe won by five runs, 124/4 to 119.
Stirling scored 234 runs in the series and Mark Adair took 10 wickets.
ODIs (drawn 1–1): Zimbabwe made 266/7 and won the first by 38 runs. The second was washed out with Ireland on 282/8. In the third, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 131 and Ireland chased a revised target of 118 in 32 overs, finishing on 118/3 to win by seven wickets. It was Brendan Taylor’s last international match.
Modern Era (2022 – 2024): Away Wins and a First Test
T20 World Cup 2022, Hobart
The teams met again on 17 October 2022 at Bellerive Oval. Sikandar Raza smashed 82 off 48 balls as Zimbabwe made 174/7. Ireland lost their top four for just 22 runs in four overs and were bowled out for 143/9. Zimbabwe won by 31 runs, and Raza took a wicket as well to win player of the match. It was Zimbabwe’s turn to win in Hobart, seven years after Ireland’s thriller there.
January 2023 in Harare
Ireland toured Zimbabwe and lost the T20I series 2–1. Zimbabwe won the first game by five wickets (Ireland 114, Zimbabwe 118/5). Ireland won the second by six wickets (150/4 chasing 145). Zimbabwe won the third by four wickets (144/6 chasing 142). Ryan Burl was player of the series.
The ODI series was drawn 1–1. In the first ODI on 18 January, Andy Balbirnie made an unbeaten 121 off 137 and put on 212 with Harry Tector, Ireland’s best third-wicket stand in ODIs. Ireland finished on 288/4. Rain cut Zimbabwe’s chase to 214 in 37 overs, and they won by three wickets off the last ball, with Ryan Burl named player of the match. Ireland won the second ODI by 46 runs (294/7 to 248), and the third was washed out.
December 2023: Ireland’s landmark tour
Ireland returned to Harare in December 2023 and made history. They won the T20I series 2–1, their first away T20I series win against a Full Member. They won the ODI series 2–0, their first men’s ODI series win in Zimbabwe.
The first T20I was the first international match played under floodlights in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe won it by one wicket (147/8 to 148/9), and Mark Adair became the first Irish man to take 100 T20I wickets. Ireland then won by four wickets (166/6 chasing 166) and by six wickets (141/4 chasing 141). Harry Tector was player of the T20I series with 126 runs.
In the ODIs, the first game was washed out. In the second, Josh Little took 6/36, the best ODI figures for Ireland, and Ireland won by four wickets. In the third, Ireland won by seven wickets on DLS, and Balbirnie passed 3,000 ODI runs. Curtis Campher was player of the ODI series.
July 2024: the first Test between the teams
The first Test between Ireland and Zimbabwe was also the first Test ever played at Stormont in Belfast, on 25–28 July 2024. Zimbabwe made 210 and 197. Ireland made 250 and chased 158 with 158/6 in 36.1 overs, winning by four wickets. Andy McBrine took seven wickets in the match, and Blessing Muzarabani took five for Zimbabwe.
Ireland Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Timeline: 2025–2026 Update
This is the most recent chapter, and it has plenty of drama.
February 2025: Ireland’s second Test win
Ireland toured Zimbabwe between 6 and 25 February 2025 for one Test, three ODIs and three T20Is. The Test at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, ended in a 63-run Ireland win. The scores were:
- Ireland: 260 and 298
- Zimbabwe: 267 and 228, chasing 292
Andy McBrine was player of the match with 90 not out off 132 balls plus four wickets. Mark Adair made 78 off 91, and Blessing Muzarabani took 7/58 in Ireland’s first innings. Zimbabwe’s Nick Welch made 90 on debut. On the last morning, Matthew Humphreys finished with 6/57, the best Test innings figures for Ireland. It was Ireland’s third Test win in a row, and ESPNcricinfo noted that no team had reached a hat-trick of Test wins in fewer matches.
February 2025: Zimbabwe win the white-ball series
ODIs (Zimbabwe 2–1):
- 14 February: Zimbabwe made 299/5, and Brian Bennett hit a maiden ODI century (169). Ireland were all out for 250, and Zimbabwe won by 49 runs.
- 16 February: Zimbabwe made 245, and Ireland chased it with 249/4 in 48.4 overs to win by six wickets.
- 18 February: Ireland made 240/6, and Zimbabwe reached it with 246/1 in 39.3 overs, with Ben Curran hitting a maiden ODI century. Zimbabwe won by nine wickets.
T20Is (Zimbabwe 1–0): Two games were lost to rain. In the only completed game, on 23 February, Ireland made 137/8 and Zimbabwe chased it with 141/7 in 19.2 overs to win by three wickets.
The women’s teams
Ireland women toured Zimbabwe in early 2024 and won the ODI series 2–0 and the T20I series 5–0. Zimbabwe women toured Ireland in July 2025, and Ireland won the ODIs 2–0 and the T20Is 3–0.
February 2026: T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka
The men’s teams met again in Group B of the 2026 T20 World Cup at Pallekele on 17 February 2026. Zimbabwe had beaten Australia by 23 runs, and a point would send them through. Ireland had lost to Sri Lanka by 20 runs and to Australia by 67 runs, but had beaten Oman by 96 runs.
Then rain arrived. The match was abandoned without a toss. Zimbabwe finished top of the group and moved into the Super Eights, while Ireland finished fourth and went out. Zimbabwe then lost all three Super Eight games, to West Indies, India and South Africa, and missed the semi-finals. For Ireland, a single shared point, not a lost match, ended the campaign.
What is next?
As of late September 2026, I could not find a scheduled men’s series between the two sides. Zimbabwe’s calendar includes a UAE ODI tri-series in October, Tests against Afghanistan in November and three ODIs in India in January 2027. Ireland’s men hosted New Zealand for a Test and Afghanistan for five ODIs this summer. Ireland’s women are due to tour Zimbabwe in early 2027.
Ireland Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Timeline: Complete Timeline Table
Series-by-series summary
| Year | Event | Result | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | World Cup, Sabina Park, Kingston (15 Mar) | Tie, 221/9 v 221 | Jeremy Bray 115* off 137 balls; last-ball run-out |
| 2008 | Tri-series, Nairobi (17 Oct) | Zimbabwe won by 156 runs | Zimbabwe 303/8, Ireland 147; rain washed out the rest of the series |
| 2010 | ODI series, Harare (Sep) | Zimbabwe won 2–1 | Two last-over finishes; Ireland won the third by 20 runs |
| 2014 | World T20, Sylhet (17 Mar) | Ireland won by 3 wickets | Stirling 60 off 34; won off the last ball |
| 2015 | World Cup, Hobart (7 Mar) | Ireland won by 5 runs | 331/8 v 326; Joyce 112, Balbirnie 97, Taylor 121 |
| 2015 | ODI series, Harare (Oct) | Zimbabwe won 2–1 | Ervine unbeaten century in the decider of the series |
| 2018 | World Cup Qualifier, Harare (16 Mar) | Zimbabwe won by 107 runs | Raza 69* off 83; Ireland all out for 104 |
| 2019 | ODI series, Bready and Belfast (Jul) | Ireland won 3–0 | First ODI clean sweep against a Full Member |
| 2019 | T20I series, Bready (Jul) | Drawn 1–1 | Stirling 83* off 36; Ervine and Williams 111-run stand |
| 2021 | T20I series, Dublin and Bready | Ireland won 3–2 | Stirling maiden T20I century; Adair 10 wickets |
| 2021 | ODI series, Belfast (Sep) | Drawn 1–1 | Taylor’s last international match |
| 2022 | T20 World Cup, Hobart (17 Oct) | Zimbabwe won by 31 runs | Raza 82 off 48 balls |
| 2023 | T20I series, Harare (Jan) | Zimbabwe won 2–1 | Ryan Burl player of the series |
| 2023 | ODI series, Harare (Jan) | Drawn 1–1 | Balbirnie 121* and 212-run stand; last-ball Zimbabwe win |
| 2023 | T20I series, Harare (Dec) | Ireland won 2–1 | First away T20I series win vs a Full Member |
| 2023 | ODI series, Harare (Dec) | Ireland won 2–0 | Little 6/36; first men’s ODI series win in Zimbabwe |
| 2024 | Women’s series, Harare (Jan–Feb) | Ireland won ODIs 2–0, T20Is 5–0 | Amy Hunter player of the T20I series |
| 2024 | Test, Stormont, Belfast (Jul) | Ireland won by 4 wickets | First Test between the teams and at the ground |
| 2025 | Test, Bulawayo (Feb) | Ireland won by 63 runs | Humphreys 6/57; McBrine 90* and four wickets |
| 2025 | ODI series, Harare (Feb) | Zimbabwe won 2–1 | Bennett 169; Curran century |
| 2025 | T20I series, Harare (Feb) | Zimbabwe won 1–0 | Two washouts; Zimbabwe won by 3 wickets |
| 2025 | Women’s series, Ireland (Jul) | Ireland won ODIs 2–0, T20Is 3–0 | Prendergast and Lewis series stars |
| 2026 | T20 World Cup, Pallekele (17 Feb) | Abandoned, no toss | Shared point sent Zimbabwe through and Ireland out |
Match-by-match scorecards: ODIs (25 matches)
Key: R/W = runs/wickets, ov = overs, b = balls, * = not out, ao = all out, NR = no result. “n/a” means the overs figure was not confirmed.
| # | Date | Venue | Event | Batting first | Batting second | Result | Standout performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 Mar 2007 | Sabina Park, Kingston | World Cup | IRE 221/9 (50 ov, 300 b) | ZIM 221 ao (50 ov, 300 b) | Tie | Bray 115* (137 b); Matsikenyeri 73* (76 b); Sibanda 67 (84 b) |
| 2 | 17 Oct 2008 | Gymkhana, Nairobi | Tri-series | ZIM 303/8 (50 ov, 300 b) | IRE 147 ao (46.1 ov, 277 b) | ZIM by 156 runs | Taibu 74 (99 b); Masakadza 72 (66 b); Chibhabha 51 (69 b) |
| 3 | 26 Sep 2010 | Harare | Bilateral | IRE 200 ao (47.3 ov, 285 b) | ZIM 206/8 (50 ov, 300 b) | ZIM by 2 wkts | Rainsford 4/23; Wilson 69 (87 b) |
| 4 | 28 Sep 2010 | Harare | Bilateral | IRE 238/9 (50 ov, 300 b) | ZIM 239/7 (48.5 ov, 293 b) | ZIM by 3 wkts | Taylor 71 (99 b); K O’Brien 73* (102 b) |
| 5 | 30 Sep 2010 | Harare | Bilateral | IRE 244 ao (49.4 ov, 298 b) | ZIM 224 ao (47.4 ov, 286 b) | IRE by 20 runs | Mooney all-round effort |
| 6 | 7 Mar 2015 | Bellerive Oval, Hobart | World Cup | IRE 331/8 (50 ov, 300 b) | ZIM 326 ao (49.3 ov, 297 b) | IRE by 5 runs | Joyce 112 (103 b); Balbirnie 97 (79 b); Taylor 121 (91 b); Cusack 4/32 |
| 7 | 9 Oct 2015 | Harare | Bilateral | IRE 219/8 (50 ov, 300 b) | ZIM 222/8 (49 ov, 294 b) | ZIM by 2 wkts | Wilson 70* (88 b); Ervine 60 (78 b); Raza 60* |
| 8 | 11 Oct 2015 | Harare | Bilateral | IRE 268/7 (50 ov, 300 b) | ZIM 270/5 (48.3 ov, 291 b) | ZIM by 5 wkts | Stirling 72 (77 b); Wilson 65 (55 b); Ervine century |
| 9 | 13 Oct 2015 | Harare | Bilateral | ZIM 187 ao (49.2 ov, 296 b) | IRE 189/8 (46.5 ov, 281 b) | IRE by 2 wkts | Won with 19 balls left |
| 10 | 16 Mar 2018 | Harare | WC Qualifier | ZIM 211/9 (50 ov, 300 b) | IRE 104 ao (34.2 ov, 206 b) | ZIM by 107 runs | Raza 69* (83 b) + 1/11; Chisoro 3/22; Cremer 3/18 |
| 11 | 1 Jul 2019 | Bready | Bilateral | ZIM 254/9 (50 ov, 300 b) | IRE 258/6 (48.3 ov, 291 b) | IRE by 4 wkts | Ervine 105 (117 b); Balbirnie 101 (112 b); Stirling 57 (74 b) |
| 12 | 4 Jul 2019 | Stormont, Belfast | Bilateral | IRE 242/9 (50 ov, 300 b) | ZIM 237/9 (50 ov, 300 b) | IRE by 5 runs | Series sealed |
| 13 | 7 Jul 2019 | Stormont, Belfast | Bilateral | ZIM 190 ao (n/a) | IRE 191/4 (41.2 ov, 248 b) | IRE by 6 wkts | 3–0 sweep |
| 14 | 8 Sep 2021 | Stormont, Belfast | Super League | ZIM 266/7 (50 ov, 300 b) | IRE 228 ao (48.4 ov, 292 b) | ZIM by 38 runs | Ervine led Zimbabwe |
| 15 | 10 Sep 2021 | Stormont, Belfast | Super League | IRE 282/8 (50 ov, 300 b) | ZIM did not bat | NR (rain) | Washed out |
| 16 | 13 Sep 2021 | Stormont, Belfast | Super League | ZIM 131 ao (34 ov, 204 b) | IRE 118/3 (22.2 ov, 134 b) | IRE by 7 wkts | Target 118 in 32 ov; Taylor’s farewell |
| 17 | 18 Jan 2023 | Harare | Bilateral | IRE 288/4 (50 ov, 300 b) | ZIM 214/7 (37 ov, 222 b) | ZIM by 3 wkts (DLS) | Balbirnie 121* (137 b); 212-run stand |
| 18 | 21 Jan 2023 | Harare | Bilateral | IRE 294/7 (50 ov, 300 b) | ZIM 248 ao (47.3 ov, 285 b) | IRE by 46 runs | Tector 176 runs in series |
| 19 | 23 Jan 2023 | Harare | Bilateral | – | – | NR | Abandoned |
| 20 | 13 Dec 2023 | Harare | Bilateral | ZIM 121/6 (25.3 ov, 153 b) | – | NR (rain) | Rain stopped play |
| 21 | 15 Dec 2023 | Harare | Bilateral | ZIM 166 ao (42.5 ov, 257 b) | IRE 170/6 (40.1 ov, 241 b) | IRE by 4 wkts | Little 6/36 |
| 22 | 17 Dec 2023 | Harare | Bilateral | ZIM 197 (40 ov, 240 b) | IRE 204/3 (37.5 ov, 227 b) | IRE by 7 wkts (DLS) | Target 201; Balbirnie 3,000 ODI runs |
| 23 | 14 Feb 2025 | Harare | Bilateral | ZIM 299/5 (50 ov, 300 b) | IRE 250 ao (46 ov, 276 b) | ZIM by 49 runs | Bennett 169 |
| 24 | 16 Feb 2025 | Harare | Bilateral | ZIM 245 ao (49 ov, 294 b) | IRE 249/4 (48.4 ov, 292 b) | IRE by 6 wkts | Ireland chase |
| 25 | 18 Feb 2025 | Harare | Bilateral | IRE 240/6 (50 ov, 300 b) | ZIM 246/1 (39.3 ov, 237 b) | ZIM by 9 wkts | Curran century |
Match-by-match scorecards: T20Is (18 matches)
| # | Date | Venue | Event | Batting first | Batting second | Result | Standout performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17 Mar 2014 | Sylhet | World T20 | ZIM 163/5 (20 ov, 120 b) | IRE 164/7 (20 ov, 120 b) | IRE by 3 wkts | Stirling 60 (34 b); Taylor 59 (46 b); Panyangara 4/37 |
| 2 | 12 Jul 2019 | Bready | Bilateral | ZIM 132/8 (13 ov, 78 b) | IRE 134/1 (10.5 ov, 65 b) | IRE by 9 wkts (DLS) | Stirling 83* (36 b) |
| 3 | 14 Jul 2019 | Bready | Bilateral | IRE 171/9 (20 ov, 120 b) | ZIM 172/2 (16.4 ov, 100 b) | ZIM by 8 wkts | Ervine 68*; Williams 58 |
| 4 | 27 Aug 2021 | Clontarf, Dublin | Bilateral | ZIM 117/7 (20 ov, 120 b) | IRE 114/9 (20 ov, 120 b) | ZIM by 3 runs | Campher, Rock debut |
| 5 | 29 Aug 2021 | Clontarf, Dublin | Bilateral | ZIM 152/5 (20 ov, 120 b) | IRE 153/3 (18.3 ov, 111 b) | IRE by 7 wkts | Series level |
| 6 | 1 Sep 2021 | Bready | Bilateral | IRE 178/2 (20 ov, 120 b) | ZIM 138 ao (18.2 ov, 110 b) | IRE by 40 runs | Stirling century |
| 7 | 2 Sep 2021 | Bready | Bilateral | IRE 174/4 (20 ov, 120 b) | ZIM 110/9 (20 ov, 120 b) | IRE by 64 runs | Series sealed |
| 8 | 4 Sep 2021 | Bready | Bilateral | ZIM 124/4 (20 ov, 120 b) | IRE 119 ao (20 ov, 120 b) | ZIM by 5 runs | Jongwe, Tiripano three-fors |
| 9 | 17 Oct 2022 | Bellerive Oval, Hobart | T20 World Cup | ZIM 174/7 (20 ov, 120 b) | IRE 143/9 (20 ov, 120 b) | ZIM by 31 runs | Raza 82 (48 b) + 1/22; Muzarabani 3/23; Little 3/24 |
| 10 | 12 Jan 2023 | Harare | Bilateral | IRE 114 ao (19.2 ov, 116 b) | ZIM 118/5 (18 ov, 108 b) | ZIM by 5 wkts | Ballance debut for Zimbabwe |
| 11 | 14 Jan 2023 | Harare | Bilateral | ZIM 144 ao (n/a) | IRE 150/4 (19.4 ov, 118 b) | IRE by 6 wkts | Ireland’s only win of the series |
| 12 | 15 Jan 2023 | Harare | Bilateral | IRE 141/9 (20 ov, 120 b) | ZIM 144/6 (19 ov, 114 b) | ZIM by 4 wkts | Burl series star |
| 13 | 7 Dec 2023 | Harare | Bilateral | IRE 147/8 (20 ov, 120 b) | ZIM 148/9 (20 ov, 120 b) | ZIM by 1 wkt | First floodlit international in Zimbabwe |
| 14 | 9 Dec 2023 | Harare | Bilateral | ZIM 165/5 (20 ov, 120 b) | IRE 166/6 (19.4 ov, 118 b) | IRE by 4 wkts | Van Woerkom debut |
| 15 | 10 Dec 2023 | Harare | Bilateral | ZIM 140/6 (20 ov, 120 b) | IRE 141/4 (18.4 ov, 112 b) | IRE by 6 wkts | Dockrell and Tector; series won |
| 16 | 22 Feb 2025 | Harare | Bilateral | ZIM 77/5 (9 ov, 54 b) | – | NR (rain) | Nine-over game abandoned |
| 17 | 23 Feb 2025 | Harare | Bilateral | IRE 137/8 (20 ov, 120 b) | ZIM 141/7 (19.2 ov, 116 b) | ZIM by 3 wkts | Tim Tector debut |
| 18 | 25 Feb 2025 | Harare | Bilateral | ZIM 142/6 (18 ov, 108 b) | – | NR (rain) | Rain stopped play |
Match-by-match scorecards: Tests (2 matches)
| Date | Venue | Zimbabwe innings | Ireland innings | Result | Standout performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25–28 Jul 2024 | Stormont, Belfast | 210 (71.3 ov, 429 b) and 197 (71 ov, 426 b) | 250 (58.3 ov, 351 b) and 158/6 (36.1 ov, 217 b) | Ireland by 4 wkts | McBrine 7 wkts; Masvaure 86 runs; Muzarabani 5 wkts |
| 6–10 Feb 2025 | Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo | 267 (86.1 ov, 517 b) and 228 (86.3 ov, 519 b) | 260 (56.4 ov, 340 b) and 298 (93.3 ov, 561 b) | Ireland by 63 runs | McBrine 90* (132 b) + 4 wkts; Adair 78 (91 b); Muzarabani 7/58; Welch 90; Humphreys 6/57 |
Three matches were abandoned without a ball bowled and are not counted: the T20I at Belfast on 10 July 2019, the ODI at Nairobi on 21 October 2008, and the 2026 T20 World Cup match at Pallekele.
Head-to-Head Stats / Key Statistics Table
Figures cover men’s matches through the 2026 T20 World Cup. Small differences between stats websites are normal.
| Category | Ireland | Zimbabwe |
|---|---|---|
| Tests won (2 played) | 2 | 0 |
| ODIs won (25 played) | 11 | 10 |
| ODI ties / no-results | 1 tie, 3 no-results (shared) | 1 tie, 3 no-results (shared) |
| T20Is won (18 played) | 8 | 8 |
| T20I no-results | 2 (shared) | 2 (shared) |
| All formats (45 played) | 21 wins | 18 wins |
| Bilateral series won (14 series) | 6 | 5 (3 drawn) |
| World Cup ODI meetings | 2015 win; 2007 tie | None won |
| T20 World Cup meetings | 2014 win | 2022 win (2026 abandoned) |
| Highest ODI total | 331/8 (2015) | 326 ao (2015) |
| Lowest ODI total | 104 ao (2018) | 131 ao (2021) |
| Highest T20I total | 178/2 (2021) | 174/7 (2022) |
| Highest Test innings | 298 (2025) | 267 (2025) |
Top Records & Milestones
Individual records and highlights
- Jeremy Bray (Ireland): unbeaten 115 off 137 balls in the 2007 tie.
- Ed Joyce (Ireland): 112 off 103 balls at Hobart in 2015.
- Brendan Taylor (Zimbabwe): 121 off 91 balls in a losing cause in 2015.
- Brian Bennett (Zimbabwe): 169 in the February 2025 ODI, the highest individual ODI score I found in the rivalry.
- Andy Balbirnie (Ireland): unbeaten 121 off 137 balls in January 2023.
- Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe): 82 off 48 balls in the 2022 T20 World Cup match.
- Josh Little (Ireland): 6/36 in December 2023, the best ODI figures for Ireland.
- Blessing Muzarabani (Zimbabwe): 7/58 in the 2025 Test.
- Matthew Humphreys (Ireland): 6/57 in the 2025 Test, an Ireland best in a Test innings.
Team records
- Highest ODI total: Ireland’s 331/8 in Hobart in 2015.
- Biggest ODI win by runs: Zimbabwe by 156 runs in Nairobi in 2008.
- Biggest T20I win by runs: Ireland by 64 runs at Bready in 2021.
- Closest finishes: the 2007 tie, Ireland’s five-run wins in 2015 and 2019, and Zimbabwe’s one-wicket T20I win in 2023.
Interesting facts and trivia
- The 2007 tie was only the third in World Cup history.
- Hobart hosted both meetings at global events outside 2007 (2015 and 2022), with one win each.
- The July 2024 Test was the first Test ever played at Stormont in Belfast.
- Ireland’s February 2025 win gave them three Test wins in a row, and ESPNcricinfo noted that no side had reached that mark in fewer matches. Zimbabwe had not won a home Test since 2013.
- The 2026 washout decided who went home. One shared point put Zimbabwe through and sent Ireland out.
FAQs
Q: Who has won more matches between Ireland and Zimbabwe?
A: Ireland lead narrowly. Across Tests, ODIs and T20Is, Ireland have 21 wins to Zimbabwe’s 18, with one tie and five no-results. Ireland are 2–0 in Tests and 11–10 in ODIs, while T20Is are level at 8–8.
Q: When did Ireland and Zimbabwe first play each other?
A: Their first meeting was a World Cup ODI on 15 March 2007 at Sabina Park, Kingston. Ireland made 221/9 and Zimbabwe were bowled out for 221, so the match was tied. Their first T20I came in Sylhet on 17 March 2014, which Ireland won.
Q: Has Ireland ever beaten Zimbabwe in a Test?
A: Yes, both Tests went Ireland’s way. They won by four wickets at Stormont, Belfast, in July 2024, then by 63 runs at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, in February 2025. Matthew Humphreys took 6/57 in the second win, the best Test innings figures for Ireland.
Q: What happened when Ireland played Zimbabwe at the 2026 T20 World Cup?
A: The Group B match at Pallekele on 17 February 2026 was abandoned without a toss because of rain, so each side got a point. Zimbabwe finished top of the group and moved into the Super Eights, while Ireland finished fourth and went out.
Q: What is the head-to-head record in T20Is?
A: The T20I record is level at 8–8 with two no-results in 18 matches. Ireland won series in 2021 (3–2) and December 2023 (2–1). Zimbabwe won in January 2023 (2–1) and February 2025 (1–0), and the 2019 series was drawn 1–1.
Q: What is the highest score in an Ireland vs Zimbabwe match?
A: The highest ODI total is Ireland’s 331/8 at the 2015 World Cup in Hobart, where Zimbabwe replied with 326. In T20Is, Ireland’s 178/2 at Bready in 2021 is the highest total. Ireland’s highest Test innings in the rivalry is 298.
Q: What is the biggest win in the rivalry?
A: By runs in ODIs, Zimbabwe’s 156-run win in Nairobi in October 2008 is the biggest. In T20Is, Ireland’s 64-run win at Bready in September 2021 is the largest. In Tests, Ireland’s 63-run win at Bulawayo in 2025 is the biggest.
Q: Will Ireland and Zimbabwe play again soon?
A: As of late September 2026, I found no scheduled men’s series between them. Ireland’s women are due to tour Zimbabwe in early 2027. Fixtures change often, so check Cricket Ireland and Zimbabwe Cricket for updates.
Conclusion
The Ireland cricket team vs Zimbabwe national cricket team timeline is a story of two sides that keep finishing close. It began with a tie in Kingston and continued through the Hobart thriller, Ireland’s historic 2023 tour and their two Test wins. It reached its latest chapter with a rain-hit game at the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Ireland lead 21–18 overall, and both sides have picked up big wins along the way. Zimbabwe have won at home when it mattered. Ireland have won when the pressure was highest. With no men’s series confirmed yet, the next chapter will probably come from a future ICC event or a new tour announcement. When it arrives, expect another tight contest.
