Following a clinical whitewash in the T20I leg of the tour, Ireland Women are all set to host Zimbabwe Women in the opening ODI at home. With the shorter format series firmly in their pocket, the Irish side comes into the 50-over clash high on rhythm, confidence, and recent match practice.
Ireland will look to build on their recent white-ball success and continue their strong run on home turf. For Zimbabwe, the ODIs present a fresh opportunity to bounce back and rewrite the narrative of the tour. They’ve shown glimpses of potential in the past, and with experienced players in their lineup, they’ll be determined to regroup and make a mark in this format.
Squads:
Ireland Women’s Cricket Team
Gaby Lewis (C), Orla Prendergast, Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Laura Delany, Alana Dalzell, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Sarah Forbes, Jane Maguire, Lara McBride, Louise Little, Cara Murray, Leah Paul
Zimbabwe Women’s Cricket Team
Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (C), Beloved Biza, Francesca Chipare, Kudzai Chigora, Chiedza Dhururu, Nyasha Gwanzura, Tendai Makusha, Lindokuhle Mabhero, Mitchel Mavunga, Modester Mupachikwa, Vimbai Mutungwindu, Kelis Ndhlovu, Runyararo Pasipanodya, Nomvelo Sibanda, Loreen Tshuma
Players to watch out:
Gaby Lewis
A leading force at the top and Ireland’s skipper, Gaby Lewis was named Player of the T20I Series against Zimbabwe. With 1648 runs in 56 WODIs, including the best of 96* and 10 wickets across 17 bowling innings, she’s a reliable all-round option. Her ability to anchor the innings while chipping in with the ball makes her a crucial leader.
Cara Murray
An attacking leg-spinner, Murray’s match-winning spell of 3/17 in the second T20I underlined her growing consistency. In WODIs, she boasts 48 wickets from just 31 innings, with a standout performance of 6/31, making her a high-value pick for wickets in middle overs.
Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano
A seasoned all-rounder and the Zimbabwe captain, Chipo brings experience and grit. Her 39-run knock in the 3rd T20I and 42 in the series opener reflected her leadership under pressure. With 412 runs in 13 WODI innings (highest 71*), she is a dependable pick.
Beloved Biza
Biza has evolved into a handy all-rounder. She contributed with a steady 2/21 in the final T20I and owns a top score of 64 in her ODI career. With 4 wickets in 6 ODI bowling innings, 189 runs in 7 outings, and the ability to turn the game around, she adds balance to the Zimbabwean lineup.
Pitch:
The surface at the Civil Service Cricket Club is traditionally bowler-friendly, aiding both seamers and spinners. Early in the innings, seam movement off the pitch can trouble batters, especially under overcast conditions. As the game progresses, the pitch tends to assist spinners as well and batting here requires patience and adaptability.
Weather:
The weather in Belfast is expected to be cool and slightly damp, with a temperature around 19°C. Humidity is moderate at 67%, with a 25% chance of precipitation and light rain predicted during the day.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Gaby Lewis, Amy Hunter, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Modester Mupachikwa, Orla Prendergast, Beloved Biza, Laura Delany, Cara Murray, Nomvelo Sibanda, Arlene Kelly, Kelis Ndhlovu
Match Details:
Date – July 26, 2025
Time – 3:15 PM IST
Venue – Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.
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