HARARE - Craig Ervine hit an undefeated century to lead Zimbabwe to a five-wicket win over Ireland and their first series triumph in more than two years on Sunday.
Ervine had hit 60 in his team’s opening two-wicket win on Friday and he maintained his blistering form with his second ODI century. His innings of 101 not out featured nine fours and two sixes and he shared a 98-run third wicket partnership with Sean Williams as Zimbabwe hunted down their 269 winning target with nine balls to spare.
Earlier, Ireland made 268-7 in their 50 overs with opener Paul Stirling hitting a brisk 72 off 77 balls while Gary Wilson and Niall O’Brien both also made half-centuries. The third and final game takes place at the Harare Sports Club on Tuesday.

Scoreboard

IRELAND:
W Porterfield c Ervine b Jongwe 8
P Stirling lbw b Sikandar 72
E Joyce lbw b Sikandar 17
N O’Brien c sub b Sikandar 50
A Balbirnie run out 12
G Wilson run out 65
K O’Brien c Sikandar b Panyangara 5
J Mooney not out 7
G Dockrell not out 10
EXTRAS: (b7, lb3, w11, nb1) 22
TOTAL: (7 wkts; 50 overs) 268
FOW: 1-19, 2-85, 3-126, 4-146, 5-210, 6-230, 7-251
BOWLING: T Panyangara 8-1-40-1, L Jongwe 8-0-43-1, C Chibhabha 3-1-13-0, J Nyumbu 8-0-39-0, Sikandar Raza 10-1-49-3, S Williams 4-0-24-0, W Masakadza 9-1-50-0
ZIMBABWE:
C Chibhabha c N O’Brien b K O’Brien 30
R Mutumbami c Porterfield b Murtagh 14
C Ervine not out 101
S Williams c Joyce b McBrine 43
C Mutombodzi c Dockrell b K O’Brien 25
Sikandar Raza c Joyce b Mooney 33
E Chigumbura not out 4
EXTRAS: (b1, lb10, w9) 20
TOTAL: (5 wkts; 48.3 overs) 270
FOW: 1-47, 2-51, 3-149, 4-192, 5-256
BOWLING: J Mooney 8.3-0-48-1, T Murtagh 8-0-47-1, K O’Brien 10-0-46-2, A McBrine 6-0-38-1, G Dockrell 10-1-43-0, P Stirling 6-0-37-0
TOSS: Zimbabwe