At the iconic Harare Sports Club, cricket enthusiasts are set for a thrilling encounter as Zimbabwe faces off against Ireland in the deciding third ODI on February 18th, commencing at 1:00 PM IST.
Looking to refine your fantasy cricket lineup for the ZIM vs IRE clash? Check out our expert Dream11 predictions, insightful tips, likely starting XIs, and match breakdowns for this final showdown of Ireland’s 2025 tour of Zimbabwe. Dive into our professional analysis and more!
Match Insights: Zimbabwe vs Ireland
In this gripping ODI series, both Zimbabwe and Ireland have claimed victories, leveling the series at 1-1. The last match saw Ireland outplaying Zimbabwe, securing a win by six wickets. After winning the toss, Ireland opted to field. Zimbabwe posted a competitive 245 runs, thanks to notable contributions from Wessly Madhevere’s 61 and Sikandar Raza’s 58. On the bowling front, Mark Adair stood out for Ireland with four critical wickets. Chasing the set target, Ireland reached the finish line in the 49th over, powered by Paul Stirling’s 89 and Curtis Campher’s valuable 63. Zimbabwe’s Trevor Gwandu managed to snag two wickets during the chase.
Head-to-Head Insights and Venue Details
Weather & Pitch Report:
- Average First Innings Score: Crucial for teams to aim beyond the average.
- Chasing Record: A challenging ground for defending totals.
Now, let’s delve into the probable lineups for each side:
Zimbabwe’s Predicted Playing XI:
- Brian Bennett
- Ben Curran
- Captain Craig Ervine
- Wessly Madhevere
- Sikandar Raza
- Johnathan Campbell
- Wicketkeeper Tadiwanashe Marumani
- Wellington Masakadza
- Richard Ngarava
- Blessing Muzarabani
- Trevor Gwandu
Ireland’s Predicted Playing XI:
- Andy Balbirnie
- Curtis Campher
- Harry Tector
- Lorcan Tucker (WK)
- Captain Paul Stirling
- George Dockrell
- Mark Adair
- Andy McBrine
- Graham Hume
- Matthew Humphreys
- Josh Little
Fantasy Cricket Selections: Key Players & Tips
Captaincy Options:
- Curtis Campher: Known for his solid batting and bowling, he scored 63 runs and took 3 wickets in the last game.
- Brian Bennett: A reliable batsman for Zimbabwe, scoring 30 in the previous match.
Top Picks:
- Sikandar Raza: An all-around performer with a recent impactful inning of 58 runs.
- Mark Adair: A fast-bowling dynamo, capturing 4 wickets in the last meeting.
Value Picks:
- Wellington Masakadza: Zimbabwe’s promising all-rounder, adding 35 runs last time out.
- Andy Balbirnie: Despite scoring 11 in the last game, he remains vital for Ireland’s top order.
Captain and Vice-Captain Selections for Dream11:
- Curtis Campher & Brian Bennett are excellent choices given their recent performances.
Dream11 Team Suggestions:
Team 1:
- Keeper: Lorcan Tucker
- Batsmen: Craig Ervine, Paul Stirling, Brian Bennett
- All-rounders: Sikandar Raza (VC), Wessly Madhevere, Curtis Campher (C), Andy McBrine
- Bowlers: Blessing Muzarabani, Mark Adair, Richard Ngarava
Team 2:
- Keeper: Lorcan Tucker
- Batsmen: Craig Ervine, Paul Stirling, Brian Bennett (C), Andy Balbirnie
- All-rounders: Sikandar Raza, Wessly Madhevere, Curtis Campher
- Bowlers: Blessing Muzarabani, Mark Adair (VC), Wellington Masakadza
Expert Advice for Today’s Match:
- Keep an eye on Wellington Masakadza and Andy Balbirnie for crucial moments in the match.
Match Prediction
With a well-balanced squad, Ireland seems poised to have the edge in this crucial tiebreaker. But in cricket, anything can happen on the day!
