Ireland edged a nail-biter versus Zimbabwe in Hobart to stay on course for the World Cup quarter-finals.
Ireland’s healthy 331 for eight, dominated by a second-wicket stand of 138 between Ed Joyce and Andy Balbirnie who made 112 and 97 respectively, looked to be comfortably a winning score when Zimbabwe slipped to 74 for four.
Yet skipper Brendan Taylor’s 121 and 96 from Sean Williams, who was unluckily to be caught on the boundary from a blow that could have gone for six, kept Zimbabwe right in the hunt.
Late big-hitting from Tawanda Mupariwa left seven needed from the last over, but Alex Cusack struck twice for a five-run win and figures of 4-32.
Ireland now sit fourth in Pool B on six points, two ahead of nearest challengers West Indies who have one match to play versus United Arab Emirates on Sunday. Ireland have two group games to go, tough ones against India and Pakistan.
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