BELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP) — Fast bowler Richard Ngarawa took four wickets and thrashed Ireland’s top order to put Zimbabwe in power after the third day of the one-off Test cricket on Saturday.
Zimbabwe started the day at 12 for no loss, but Ireland took regular wickets, including four from Andy McBrine, who went through the tail as the visitors slumped to 197, leaving Ireland 158 to claim victory.
The hosts were in control as they came into bat in the final innings, but their top order collapsed completely as Ngarava claimed four wickets in eight overs. Ireland were 33-5 when rain saved them from a worse fate with 21 overs on the day.
Ireland still needed 125 runs to win, but with just five wickets in hand at the Stormont Cricket Ground.
Before Zimbabwe overcame a 40-run deficit in the first innings, Joylord Gamby stumped Craig Young with Andy Balbirnie. Fellow opener Prince Mashbur departed three balls later, sending an inside edge behind.
Craig Ervine was trapped leg before wicket by Mark Adair but a partnership between Sean Williams and Dion Myers began to form and took Zimbabwe to lunch on 96-3.
Their partnership of 68 collapsed when Williams edged Young to Lorcan Tucker and Zimbabwe were 174-6 when Brian Bennett and Clive Mandad departed cheaply.
Myers top scored with 57 but Adair bowled him and Zimbabwe reached 182-8.
McBrien cleaned up the last wicket after tea, leaving Ireland 158 to win.
But Ngarava started wildly, claiming two wickets in two balls to send Peter Moor and Curtis Campher packing with six runs on the board.
In the next over, Blessing Muzarabani claimed Balbirnie.
Ngarava had his tail up and Harry Tector was left behind scoreless, and Paul Stirling fell to a carbon copy on 10 and Ireland had 33 on the board when the rain arrived and finally ended the day prematurely.