Ireland and Zimbabwe continued to zigzag with the flow yet again in Bulawayo but it was the visitors who were better placed at the end of the day. barry McCarthy’s toil and versatility combined with Andy McBrine’s consistency provided them with the hope of capturing a substantial lead.

Zimbabwe's Blessing Muzarabani has taken career-best figures of 7-58, ripping through Ireland's top-order in the one-off Test

Paul Stirling 9 (13) Zimbabwe. Wessly Madhevere 1/28 (12) Zimbabwe vs Ireland Live Score: OUT! LBW! It's the big wicke

Andy McBrine’s 90 not-out helped Ireland recover from a dismal start to post 260 on Thursday on the first day of a one-off Test match against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. Zimbabwe was 72 for one in reply at the close -- 188 runs behind -- with debutant Nick Welch (33) and Takudzwanashe Kaitano (26) both unbeaten.

The Test match is currently hanging in the balance with Zimbabwe managing to take a lead of only seven runs in their first innings. The onus is now on the Irish batters to set the hosts a challenging target.

Blessing Muzarabani bowled like an Irish curse at the start of the day, utilising the two-paced nature and uneven bounce on day one. His 7 for 58, which is the second-best figures for a Zimbabwe bowler - dented Ireland but not before Lorcan Tucker's initiative,