Raza, Ballance Back As Zimbabwe Win Toss And Field Against Ireland In 1st ODI

Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to field in the first one-day international against Ireland in Harare on Wednesday as they welcomed back batsmen Sikandar Raza and Gary Ballance.

Raza was released to play franchise cricket in Bangladesh during Zimbabwe's T20 series with Ireland which the hosts won 2-1.

The Pakistan-born star has been nominated for the 2022 ICC Cricketer of the Year, ODI Cricketer of the Year and T20 Cricketer of the Year awards.

Former England Test and ODI batsman Ballance missed the final two T20 matches due to concussion.

Veteran all-rounder Sean Williams misses out, however, after breaking a finger in the second T20.

Ireland included opener Paul Stirling, off spinner Andy McBrine and fast medium pacer Josh Little, none of whom were involved in the T20 series.

Teams

Zimbabwe

Innocent Kaia, Wessly Madhevere, Craig Ervine (capt), Gary Ballance, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Clive Madande (wkt), Wellington Masakadza, Brad Evans, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi

Ireland

Paul Stirling, Stephen Doheny (wkt), Andy Balbirnie (capt), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Lorcan Tucker, Andy McBrine, Mark Adair, Graham Hume, Josh Little

Umpires: Iknow Chabi (ZIM), Michael Gouch (ENG)

TV umpire: Langton Rusere (ZIM)

Also Read: Cricket Tales

Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)