IRE VS ZIM - 2nd ODI, Zimbabwe tour of Ireland, 2021

Ireland would be bitterly disappointed, having set the game up wonderfully for a shot at levelling the series. Unfortunately, the rain gods had the final say and the series remains 1-0 in favour of Zimbabwe with a game left. The two teams will split the 10 points in the ODI Super League table. The final game of the series will be played on Monday with Zimbabwe having a rare opportunity to record an ODI series win. Ireland would surely have other ideas. Do join us for that encounter. Until next time, this is Hari Sadanandan signing off on behalf of Nikhil Jadhav and Mukesh. Cheers!

17:19 Local Time, 16:19 GMT, 21:49 IST: The wait is finally over and it's anti-climax to today's game. The match has been called off. The rain had stopped earlier but unfortunately, the outfield couldn't recover from the beating that it received due to the downpour. The umps had quite a few inspections and eventually, ran out of time with respect to the resumption.

16:52 Local Time, 15:52 GMT, 21:22 IST: Further inspection at 17:15 local time, probably the last inspection of the match. If the condition of the outfield improves, we might have a shortened run chase, else the match officials might call it off. We should get to know the outcome of the inspection in about 30 minutes. Stay tuned in..

16:27 Local Time, 15:27 GMT, 20:57 IST: We'll have another inspection at 16:45 local time as the umpires are not convinced with the conditions as of yet.. Reckon there are few wet patches on the pitch and also a few damp areas in the outfield. It still look overcast, with no sunlight. Wonder if those damp areas will dry up without any heat and given the overhead conditions..

16:17 Local Time, 15:17 GMT, 20:47 IST: Can see the umpires having a chat and inspecting the pitch. They don't look convinced with the area near the popping crease. Looks like it's damp as they touch the surface and check it. And now they've walked away. Let's see what the result of their inspection is..

15:19 Local Time, 14:19 GMT, 19:49 IST: Inspection at 16:15 local time, that's about an hour from now on. Can see a couple of Zimbabwen players strolling in the park having a look at the condition of the ground. And the Ireland players who have to field in the second innings are having a look at it as well.

15:14 Local Time, 14:14 GMT, 19:44 IST: The rain has stopped and the groundstaff have started to take off the covers. Can see a few wet patches on the field though. Will take some time for these wet patches on the field to dry I feel. Conditions have become brighter at the moment, but slowly the covers are being peeled off.

14:41 Local Time, 13:41 GMT, 19:11 IST: The live pictures don't look promising. The rain has picked up and we have some more covers on the field now. The groundstaff are making sure there's not much damage caused as they are constantly trying to take off the water that's on the covers. Can see a couple of them with umbrellas out there. Might be a long delay, like I said before.

14:31 Local Time, 13:31 GMT, 19:01 IST: Looks like the second innings has been delayed due to rain. The groundstaff is out in the middle though and looks like the rain has eased out a bit. The square is under covers at the moment and the super sopper is out as well. Let's see how long a delay we are going to have.

14:06 Local Time, 13:06 GMT, 18:36 IST: A fine batting performance from Ireland after losing the toss. That onslaught at the end clearly has given them solid momentum going into the innings break. 110 runs came off the last 10 overs with Tector and Tucker going great guns, tearing into the bowling at will. The duo clearly stunned the visitors with their ball-striking and the bowlers didn't really have an answer to it. The bulk of the work was done by Ireland's top-order though, the openers in particular negotiating a tricky new-ball phase. Stirling had an unusually scratchy innings but his partnership with Porterfield set the tone, with the left-hander then combining well with skipper Balbirnie to set the platform for the middle order. Zimbabwe might have fancied keeping the hosts to a 250ish total at one stage but were blown away in the slog overs. This is a very good score on a pitch that does have turn on offer. Back shortly for the chase.

Jongwe to Young, FOUR, Young finishes things off in style! Jongwe misses the yorker, slower ball and it's lofted straight back over the bowler's head. Long-on dashes across with a dive but that's after the ball was past the ropes. Ireland end with a challenging 282/8!

Jongwe to Mark Adair, 1 run, slower and fuller outside off, dug out towards to cover

Craig Young, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Jongwe to Andy McBrine, wide, out Andy McBrine Run Out!! Weird piece of cricket and McBrine has thrown his wicket away. Slower ball, well wide outside off and rightly wided. They go a high-risk bye and McBrine started late, meaning he had no chance to make it to the other end. Chakabva's throw is accurate and Jongwe does the rest with McBrine way short. Of course you steal byes at this stage but McBrine is such a good hitter himself, could have easily tonked another. Andy McBrine run out (Chakabva/Jongwe) 6(1) [6s-1]

Jongwe to Andy McBrine, THATS OUT!! Run Out!!

Jongwe to Andy McBrine, SIX, what a shot first ball! Slower ball, on a length and McBrine seemed to have picked it early, kneeling to slog sweep this over deep mid-wicket. Sent it miles over the ropes. Superb hit and the ball has disappeared into the trees outside the ground

Andy McBrine, left handed bat, comes to the crease

Jongwe to Simi Singh, out Simi Singh Run Out!! 1 run completed. Suicidal second run and Singh is well short despite putting in a dive. Tells you how terrible the judgement was about the run. Slower ball, very full and dug out to deep mid-wicket. The second was never really on but Singh maybe wanted the strike back. Not to be as even a not-so-accurate throw catches him well short with Chakabva acrobatically gathering and disturbing the stumps. Simi Singh run out (Madhevere/Chakabva) 1(1)]

Jongwe to Simi Singh, THATS OUT!! Run Out!!

Run out check! Has the dive saved Simi Singh? Nope, he's gone by a few yards.