Zim crush Ireland, go top of table

Tendai Chisoro and Graeme Cremer took three wickets each as Zimbabwe secured a reverberating 107-run triumph over Ireland on Friday to draw a stage nearer to the 2019 World Cup. 

The hosts of the qualifying competition fought hard to make 211-9 batting first in Harare, before knocking down some pins out the Irish for only 104 to move best of the Super Sixes table. 

Zimbabwe were obliged to the in-shape Sikandar Raza's unbeaten 69 as the all-rounder helped them recuperate from 139-7, with Chisoro including an important 21 at number nine. 

Ireland lost early wickets in answer, and when Paul Stirling was run out for 41 to abandon them 86-6, their expectations of a critical win were finished. 

Opening bowler Chisoro completed with figures of 3-22, while spinner Cremer guaranteed 3-18 as he cleaned up the tail. 

William Porterfield's side now need to win their last two matches against Afghanistan and Scotland to stand any shot of taking one of the last two spots for one year from now's World Cup in England and Wales. 

Zimbabwe top the table on net run-rate from Scotland, and are next in real life against two-time World Cup victors West Indies on Monday. 

SCORES IN BRIEF 

ZIMBABWE: 211-9 out of 50 overs (Taylor 25, Ervine 20, Raza 69 not out, Chisoro 21; Murtagh 3-36, McBrine 2-42) 

IRELAND: 104 hard and fast in 34.2 overs (Stirling 41; Cremer 3-18, Chisoro 3-22) 

Result: Zimbabwe won by 107 runs.