Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey
IRE vs ZIM 1st T20 Dream11 & Fan2Play Prediction Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | IRE vs ZIM 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Ireland vs Zimbabwe 1st T20I Key Players | Dublin Pitch Report
Pushed back three weeks due to changes in COVID-19 travel regulations, a rare T20I assignment for both Ireland and Zimbabwe is all set to take place.
For the Irish, this series serves particular importance. Given the scarcity of T20 cricket over the past few years, it is a premium opportunity to find form and confidence ahead of the T20 World Cup. They have played just nine T20Is since the beginning of 2020, losing six of them to West Indies, Afghanistan and most recently South Africa.
Ahead of a competitive group featuring Sri Lanka, Netherlands and Namibia, Ireland need their experienced players in form. Paul Stirling had a fine Hundred campaign, and the out-of-form Kevin O’Brien is in desperate need of runs. The likes of Andy Balbirnie, Harry Tector and George Dockrell showed promising batting form in the ODIs against South Africa, but will need to transfer this to the T20 format where they weren’t able to cross 140 in the their three games against the Proteas.
For Zimbabwe, this series is a matter of pride and building winning confidence. They will not be participating in the T20 World Cup, but like Ireland, will be seeking a turnaround to some poor T20 form in recent years. Their last T20I series win was in 2019 in a tri-series involving Singapore and Nepal, with defeats to Afghanistan and Bangladesh (twice) since.
The only T20I at Castle Avenue to date was between Afghanistan and Oman in 2015.
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Ireland:
- Paul Stirling struck his runs at 167.08 per 100 balls in the recent Hundred. Also, Stirling has smashed two 50+ scores in three T20Is vs Zimbabwe, with his 143 runs coming at a strike rate of 201.40.
- Andy Balbirnie struck 28* off 17 balls in his only T20I to date vs Zimbabwe. He was in some fine form in the recent white-ball matches vs South Africa.
- Can Harry Tector transfer his ODI form to T20Is? After a fine ODI series vs South Africa, he then struggled in the T20Is (36, 3, 5). He will be key in the middle order for Ireland.
- Simi Singh is enjoying a fine year in white-ball cricket. He took 2/19, 1/27 and 1/29 in the recent series against the Proteas. Also, on this ground in 2018, Singh struck 41 and conceded just 12 runs for Ireland A against Bangladesh A.
- Mark Adair has taken four wickets in two matches vs Zimbabwe. He also took five wickets in three T20Is against South Africa.
- Josh Little has taken 17 wickets in his last nine white-ball matches, across Ireland’s domestic competition and matches vs the Proteas.
Zimbabwe:
- No Zimbabwean player has more T20I runs vs Ireland than skipper Craig Ervine. He has two 50+ scores to his name in as many matches, with a total of 123 runs at an average of 123 (scores of 68* and 55).
- Brendan Taylor is close behind on 112 in three matches vs Ireland. He also has a 50+ score (59) at an overall average of 37.33 and strike rate of 145.45.
- Wessley Madhevere has been a huge positive for Zimbabwe in recent times. He is coming off scores of 53 and 74 in the recent T20I series against Bangladesh.
- Dion Myers has had no issue with getting starts in international cricket. His scores across formats read: 27, 26, 18, 34, 34, 35, 26 and 23. He and Ryan Burl will be key in the finishing department.
- Blessing Muzarabani will be key in conditions that can offer seam movement. He has taken 25 wickets in 20 T20 matches in 2021.
Stats and Facts
- Head-to-head: Matches 3, Ireland 2, Zimbabwe 1.
- Zimbabwe won the most recent match between the two sides, by eight wickets at Bready in 2019. Brendan Taylor scored 39 (20) and Craig Ervine scored 68* (47).
- These five T20Is will be Ireland’s last T20s before the World Cup.
Possible Playing 11
Kevin O’Brien is in horrendous form this year, but Ireland could look to persist with him.
Ireland: 1. Paul Stirling, 2. Kevin O’Brien, 3. Andy Balbirnie, 4. Lorcan Tucker (wk), 5. Harry Tector, 6. George Dockrell/Curtis Campher, 7. Simi Singh, 8. Mark Adair, 9. Barry McCarthy, 10. Craig Young, 11. Josh Little
Sean Williams has informed the Zimbabwe board that he will step down from international cricket. So, Dion Myers is likely to slot in at five.
Zimbabwe: 1. Brendan Taylor (wk), 2. Wessley Madhevere, 3. Regis Chakabva, 4. Craig Ervine (c), 5. Dion Myers, 6. Sikandar Raza, 7. Ryan Burl, 8. Luke Jongwe, 9. Wellington Masakadza, 10. Tendai Chatara, 11. Blessing Muzarabani
Castle Avenue Dublin Pitch Report and Weather
A mostly clear day is forecast for Dublin. The only T20I played on this ground was in 2015, where Afghanistan chased down Oman’s 127 with ease. In 2018, Ireland A played Bangladesh A in a T20, where the tourists chased down Ireland’s 152 with two overs to spare. One feels that a score in the region of 160 can be competitive.
Fantasy Cricket
Note: Teams below are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these teams in time after the final playing XIs have been announced.
Fan2Play Prediction

IRE vs ZIM 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction
A competitive match awaits, but Ireland, at home, start as favourites.