Ireland and Zimbabwe have developed a highly competitive rivalry in One Day International cricket. Although Zimbabwe have a longer history as a Full Member, Ireland have often matched them strongly in ODI cricket. Their head-to-head record is remarkably close, with Ireland holding a narrow advantage. Ireland vs Zimbabwe Head-to-Head in ODI
As of the latest completed ODI between the teams in February 2025, Ireland and Zimbabwe have played 25 ODIs against each other. Ireland have won 11, Zimbabwe have won 10, one match ended in a tie and three matches produced no result.
Ireland vs Zimbabwe ODI Head-to-Head Record
| Category | Ireland | Zimbabwe |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 25 | 25 |
| Wins | 11 | 10 |
| Losses | 10 | 11 |
| Ties | 1 | 1 |
| No Results | 3 | 3 |
| First ODI | 2007 | 2007 |
| Overall Leader | Ireland | — |
The statistics show just how evenly matched these teams have been. Ireland’s one-match advantage demonstrates that neither side has been able to dominate the rivalry consistently. Ireland vs Zimbabwe Head-to-Head in ODI
First ODI Meeting: A Dramatic World Cup Tie
Ireland and Zimbabwe first met in ODI cricket during the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup in Jamaica. The match became an important moment in Ireland’s early international cricket history because it ended in a dramatic tie.
Ireland batted first and posted 221/9. Jeremy Bray played a memorable innings, scoring an unbeaten century. Zimbabwe then matched Ireland’s total, finishing on 221/9, resulting in one of the most exciting tied matches in World Cup history.
That result immediately demonstrated that Ireland could compete against established international sides.
Ireland’s Advantage in the Overall Rivalry
Ireland currently have the narrow advantage with 11 victories compared with Zimbabwe’s 10. Three matches have ended without a result, while one has been tied.
The rivalry has gone through several phases. Zimbabwe enjoyed periods of strong performances, particularly at home, while Ireland have produced impressive results in their own conditions and in recent bilateral series.
Before the 2025 series, Cricket Ireland recorded 22 ODI meetings, with Ireland leading 10-8, alongside one tie and three no-results.
The three-match 2025 ODI series changed the overall numbers significantly. Zimbabwe won the first and third matches, while Ireland won the second, giving Zimbabwe a 2-1 series victory.
Ireland vs Zimbabwe ODI Series in 2025
The latest ODI series between the teams was played in Harare in February 2025.
1st ODI – Zimbabwe won by 49 runs
Zimbabwe produced an excellent batting performance, scoring 299/5. Ireland were then dismissed for 250, giving Zimbabwe a 49-run victory.
The result gave Zimbabwe an early lead in the series.
2nd ODI – Ireland won by 6 wickets
Ireland responded strongly in the second match. Zimbabwe scored 245, but Ireland successfully chased the target, reaching 249/4 to win by six wickets.
This victory kept the series alive.
3rd ODI – Zimbabwe won by 9 wickets
Zimbabwe produced another dominant performance in the decider. Ireland scored 240/6, but Zimbabwe chased the target comfortably, reaching 246/1 and winning by nine wickets.
Zimbabwe therefore won the three-match series 2-1.
Ireland vs Zimbabwe ODI Head-to-Head in Recent Years
The rivalry has produced several close series.
In 2019, Ireland completed a 3-0 ODI series clean sweep against Zimbabwe at home. The first match featured a century from Andrew Balbirnie, while Tim Murtagh produced a five-wicket haul in the second ODI.
The 2021 series in Ireland was much closer. The three-match ODI series ended 1-1, with one match producing no result. William Porterfield was Ireland’s leading run-scorer in the series, while Craig Ervine led Zimbabwe’s batting. Blessing Muzarabani was Zimbabwe’s leading wicket-taker.
The teams then met in Zimbabwe in January 2023. Ireland won the second ODI, while Zimbabwe won the first, and the third match did not produce a result. Cricket Ireland described the series as a 1-1 draw.
In December 2023, Ireland enjoyed another successful visit to Zimbabwe. After the first ODI ended without a result, Ireland won the second by four wickets and the third by seven wickets under the DLS method.
Zimbabwe then bounced back in the 2025 series, winning two of the three matches.
Highest Team Totals
Both teams have produced impressive batting performances against each other.
Ireland’s highest ODI total against Zimbabwe is 331/8, scored at Hobart in March 2015. Their lowest all-out total in the rivalry is 104, recorded in Harare in 2018.
Zimbabwe’s highest total against Ireland is listed at 326, while their lowest total is 131. Ireland’s highest successful chase in the rivalry has been 258/6.
These numbers show that the rivalry has included both high-scoring batting contests and difficult conditions where bowlers have dominated.
Leading Batters in Ireland vs Zimbabwe ODIs
Several outstanding players have made their mark in this rivalry.
For Ireland, Paul Stirling has been one of the most important performers. He is listed as Ireland’s leading run-scorer against Zimbabwe, with 608 ODI runs in the rivalry.
Andrew Balbirnie has also produced important performances, including an unbeaten 121 in the 2023 ODI series. That innings helped Ireland secure an important victory against Zimbabwe.
For Zimbabwe, Craig Ervine has been one of the leading contributors, with 574 runs against Ireland in ODIs.
In the 2025 series, Zimbabwe’s Brian Bennett was the leading run-scorer, accumulating 247 runs across the three ODIs.
Key Bowlers in the Rivalry
Bowling has also played a major role in determining the outcome of Ireland-Zimbabwe matches.
Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani has been particularly effective. In the 2025 ODI series, he took six wickets, matching Richard Ngarava as Zimbabwe’s leading wicket-takers in the series. Ireland’s Mark Adair also claimed six wickets.
Ireland have traditionally relied on bowlers such as Mark Adair, Josh Little, Andy McBrine and Tim Murtagh. Murtagh’s five-wicket haul during the 2019 series was one of the notable individual bowling performances in the rivalry.
Why This Rivalry Is So Competitive
There are several reasons why Ireland vs Zimbabwe ODIs tend to be closely contested.
First, both teams have experienced international players. Ireland have produced players such as Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie, Harry Tector and Mark Adair, while Zimbabwe have relied on players including Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza and Blessing Muzarabani.
Second, home conditions matter. Zimbabwe’s pitches can provide assistance to spin and seam bowling, while Ireland’s conditions can offer movement to fast and medium-fast bowlers.
Third, both teams have developed significantly in recent years. Ireland’s progress from Associate cricket to Full Member status has given them greater exposure to high-level international cricket.
The closeness of the overall head-to-head record reflects this competitive development.
Ireland vs Zimbabwe: Who Has the Edge?
Based strictly on the overall ODI head-to-head record, Ireland have a slight advantage. They have won 11 of the 25 completed-result-or-tie matches, compared with Zimbabwe’s 10 victories.
However, the latest series suggests that Zimbabwe remain a major challenge. Their 2-1 series victory in February 2025 showed that they can perform strongly against Ireland, particularly in home conditions.
Therefore, it would be difficult to describe either team as overwhelmingly dominant. Instead, Ireland vs Zimbabwe is best viewed as a closely balanced ODI rivalry.
Conclusion
The Ireland vs Zimbabwe ODI head-to-head record is one of the more competitive rivalries involving two teams from outside the traditional top tier of international cricket. Ireland lead Zimbabwe 11-10 in ODI wins, with one tie and three no-results from 25 matches.
From their dramatic tied World Cup encounter in 2007 to Zimbabwe’s 2-1 series victory in 2025, the rivalry has produced memorable matches, individual performances and closely fought contests.
Ireland have the overall statistical advantage, but Zimbabwe have repeatedly shown that they can challenge and defeat Ireland. With both teams continuing to develop their ODI squads, future meetings should remain highly competitive.
5 Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many ODIs have Ireland and Zimbabwe played?
Ireland and Zimbabwe have played 25 ODIs against each other as of the latest completed match in February 2025.
2. Who has won more ODIs between Ireland and Zimbabwe?
Ireland have won more, with 11 victories compared with Zimbabwe’s 10. One match was tied and three ended without a result.
3. When did Ireland and Zimbabwe first play an ODI?
Their first ODI meeting came during the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup. The match ended in a tie after both teams scored 221/9.
4. Who has scored the most ODI runs in Ireland vs Zimbabwe matches?
Paul Stirling is listed as Ireland’s leading run-scorer against Zimbabwe with 608 runs, while Zimbabwe’s leading run-scorer is Craig Ervine, with 574 runs.
5. Who won the latest Ireland vs Zimbabwe ODI series?
Zimbabwe won the latest three-match ODI series 2-1 in February 2025. Zimbabwe won the first and third ODIs, while Ireland won the second.