Lorcan Tucker and Andy McBrine hit a combined 111 as Ireland staged an excellent recovery to beat Zimbabwe by four wickets at Stormont and record a second consecutive Test victory and a first on home soil.
The pair helped the home side recover from a slow start to the day in Belfast, with Tucker making 56 and McBrine 55 not out as Ireland fought back from 33 for five.
Zimbabwe had not registered a Test win since 2021 and could not follow up Saturday’s good work with the ball to keep sustained pressure on their opponents’ batting order.
It meant Ireland added to their victory against Afghanistan earlier this year which brought to an end a run of seven straight Test losses.
Your complete guide to all the festive sporting action including TV details
Irish Times Sportswoman of the Year Awards: ‘The greatest collection of women in Irish sport in one place ever assembled’
Two-time Olympic champion Kellie Harrington named Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year 2024
Pub staff struggled to keep up with giddy Shamrock Rovers fans who enjoyed every moment of Chelsea trip
Tucker and McBrine put on 67 inside the first hour to give the match a different complexion.
Tucker hit 10 boundaries en route to his second Test half-century to take Ireland to 117 for six before being caught by Blessing Muzarabani.
Mark Adair joined McBrine in the middle and hit 24 not out as Ireland inched towards their target.
Adair struck the winning runs but it was McBrine who was crowned player of the match after also taking seven wickets.
