ZIMBABWE A had Ireland A at 238 for six in the 51st over on the opening day at Harare Sports Club, but the visitors’ lower order rallied to take them to 420 for nine at stumps on Thursday.
Shelton Mazvitorera made the breakthrough at 238 when he trapped Mark Adair leg before wicket for 51. By then, Zimbabwe A had been taking wickets at regular intervals.
Tinotenda Maposa removed Stephen Doheny in the second over, Michael Frost bowled Cade Carmichael for 41, while Mazvitorera accounted for opener Jake Egan, who made 46.
Dion Myers then had Christopher De Freitas caught by Matthew Campbell for 43, before Maposa dismissed Tim Tector for 28.
After Adair’s dismissal, Ireland A added 182 runs for the loss of three wickets.
Ben Calitz scored 80 off 79 balls and shared a 75-run seventh-wicket partnership with Gavin Hoey. Matthew Campbell broke the stand when Calitz was caught by Takudzwanashe Kaitano.
Frost then had Liam McCarthy caught by Roy Kaia for 19.
Hoey and captain Matthew Humphreys added 70 for the ninth wicket before Maposa ended the partnership in the 89th over, trapping Humphreys leg before wicket for 23.
Maposa finished with three for 46, while Mazvitorera took two for 77 and Frost two for 96.
Hoey was unbeaten on 74 at stumps, with Byron McDonough yet to score.
