Ireland's captain, Andrew Balbirnie, expressed his delight after leading his team to a thrilling four-wicket victory over Zimbabwe at Stormont, marking their second consecutive Test win.
Starting the fourth day at 33-5 and needing 158 runs for victory, Ireland faced a daunting challenge. However, a crucial 96-run partnership between Lorcan Tucker, who scored 56, and Andy McBrine, who remained unbeaten on 55, guided them to a remarkable comeback win.
Balbirnie shared that the team had a conversation in the dressing room, expressing confidence in their two top Test batsmen at the crease and maintaining belief in their ability to win. He emphasised the unpredictable nature of Test cricket, noting that while Saturday night was challenging, their perseverance over four days was rewarded with a satisfying victory, celebrated with friends, family, and fans.
This Test match was significant as it was the first to be held in Northern Ireland, with local player Andy McBrine earning the Player of the Match title for his all-around performance, including taking seven wickets. McBrine, proud of his roots in the north-west, highlighted the team's hard work and his collaboration with the bowling coaches, which culminated in his standout performance.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's captain Craig Ervine expressed disappointment at missing the chance for a first Test win since 2021. He acknowledged that despite establishing good positions in both innings, their lower order faltered, losing wickets cheaply. However, he remained optimistic about the team's future, praising the potential of their fast bowlers, including Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, and Tanaka Chivanga.