Ireland suffered a six wicket defeat in their second and final World T20 warm-up match against Zimbabwe today in Dharamsala.
Paul Stirling returned to his regular opening spot having sat out Thursday's big win over Hong Kong and he and William Porterfield gave their side a solid start as Ireland batted first on a track which offered early assistance to the bowlers.
Stirling was his belligerent self with a couple of big sixes in his 9-ball cameo, while the skipper looked in good touch following his unbeaten 75 earlier in the week.
Gary Wilson joined Porterfield after Stirling went and these two took the score to 70 before the Warwickshire man was dismissed for 31.
Ireland's Paul Sterling. Image: ©INPHO/Barry Chambers
That breakthrough seemed to spur Zimbabwe on, with Tawanda Mupariwa leading the way as Ireland's middle order struggled.
Wilson timed the ball with increasing fluency throughout his innings, and was perhaps unlucky to be well caught on the boundary following an improvised shot which look destined to clear the ropes.
Mupariwa (2-36), Tendai Chatara (2-33), Sean Williams (1-19), Wellington Mazakadza (1-19) and Donald Tiripano (1-20) were all on the mark for Zimbabwe, while it needed a couple of late cameos from Tim Murtagh (13*) and George Dockrell (13), aided by 24 extras to get the Irish total up to 155 for 8.
The classy Hamilton Masakadza and Richmond Mutumbami then took the match away from Ireland with a 75-run stand putting them in control from there on out.
The Zimbabwean skipper's unbeaten 68 came off 49 balls and included three fours and six sixes, proving himself the difference between the two sides on the day.
It's down to the real business for Porterfield's men now and Ireland will look to get back to winning ways against Oman on Wednesday when the tournament starts in earnest.
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