Captain Paul Stirling, Mark Adair and Curtis Campher played pivotal roles as Ireland beat Zimbabwe by six wickets on Sunday to level a one-day international series with one match left.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Put in to bat, the hosts made 245 in 49 overs, thanks largely to a fourth-wicket partnership between Wessly Madhevere (61) and Sikandar Raza (58) at Harare Sports Club.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Seamer Adair (4-54) and quick Campher (3-13) excelled with the ball, with the latter taking his three wickets off six deliveries.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
After the early loss of opener Andy Balbirnie (11), Stirling (89) and Campher (63) put on 144 runs for the second wicket to steer the tourists toward a convincing victory.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
A four from Lorcan Tucker from the fourth ball of the penultimate over sealed victory for the visitors, who began an all-format tour with a 63-run win in a one-off Test.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Zimbabwe bowlers struggled with medium-pacer Trevor Gwandu (2-50) producing the best figures.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The teams meet again on Tuesday in the third and final ODI with all to play for after Zimbabwe won the first match by 49 runs on Friday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We were the better team. Wessly and Sikandar batted well, then Curtis struck some decisive blows," said Stirling.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Restricting Zimbabwe to 245 boosted our morale as that was a target we could chase. Matches come thick and fast these days and now we must prepare for the decider."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine (4) said: "We need about 280 to be competitive. Losing three wickets in quick succession was a huge setback.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"More early wickets could have produced a different outcome, but the partnership between Paul and Curtis set it up for them."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Struggling with cramps, Stirling had to settle for a 31st ODI half-century after a miscued pull shot off Richard Ngarava took a leading edge and Madhevere made a catch at extra cover.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
His departure after a 102-ball stand that included two sixes and eight fours left Ireland 200-4, and unbeaten knocks from Tucker (36) and George Dockrell (20) completed the task.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Earlier, Campher claimed a seventh half century before being trapped leg before by Gwandu attempting a pull shot.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Zimbabwe opener Brian Bennett, who struck 169 in the first ODI, could only make 30 and his team were 77-3 when Madhevere and Raza came together.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Madhevere fell leg before to a Campher delivery aimed at off stump, and a spectacular low catch at deep mid wicket from Hector Tector sent Raza to the pavilion.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Brief scores<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n Zimbabwe 245 (W. Madhevere 61, S. Raza 58; M. Adair 4-54, C. Campher 3-13) v Ireland 249-4 (P. Stirling 89, Campher 63)<\/p>\r\n\r\n Result: Ireland won by six wickets<\/p>\r\n\r\n Series: 1-1 ahead of final match on Tuesday<\/p>\r\n\r\n