IRE-W vs ZIM-W 1st T20 2025: Match Preview, Probable Playing XI, Pitch Report & Key Players
IRE-W vs ZIM-W 1st T20 Match Preview: Host Ireland Women begin their home season with confidence as they face Zimbabwe Women in the 1st T20I at Pembroke Cricket Club, Dublin, on Sunday. Having won all seven T20Is played against Zimbabwe so far, Ireland come into the series as clear favourites.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Women will look to adapt quickly to the Irish conditions and challenge the hosts in what promises to be a competitive opener.
Match Details: IRE-W vs ZIM-W 1st T20I
| Match | Ireland Women vs Zimbabwe Women – 1st T20I |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, July 20, 2025 |
| Time | 08:30 PM IST / 11:00 AM Local |
| Venue | Pembroke Cricket Club, Dublin |
| Live Streaming | Fancode (India) / ICC.tv (Global) |
IRE-W vs ZIM-W 1st T20 Match Preview & Team Analysis
Ireland Women Preview:
Ireland Women will look to continue their excellent form in T20Is, having won four of their last five games. Under the captaincy of Gaby Lewis, the team looks well-balanced in both departments.
Key Strengths:
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Batting: Gaby Lewis leads from the front, having scored 293 runs in her last 7 T20Is at a strike rate of 124.48.
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Bowling: All-rounder Orla Prendergast has been outstanding with the ball, picking 14 wickets at an economy rate of 7.44.
IRE-W Playing XI:
Gaby Lewis (c), Amy Hunter, Orla Prendergast, Laura Delaney, Leah Paul, Rebecca Stokell, Arlene Kelly, Alana Dalzell, Aimee Maguire, Freya Sargent, Christina Coulter Reilly.
Zimbabwe Women Preview:
Zimbabwe Women come into this series with an eye on improvement. They’ve shown promise in patches but haven’t yet cracked the Irish challenge in T20Is. Captain Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano will be key with the bat, along with the likes of Kelis Ndhlovu and Beloved Biza.
Key Strengths:
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Batting: Mugeri-Tiripano is their most reliable batter with 208 runs in her last 9 T20Is.
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Bowling: Beloved Biza has taken 9 wickets in her last 9 games with a stellar economy of 5.86.
ZIM-W Playing XI:
Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (c), Modester Mupachikwa, Kelis Ndhlovu, Loreen Tshuma, Beloved Biza, Jospehine Nkomo, Natasha Mtomba, Chiedza Dhururu, Adel Zimunu, Nomvelo Sibanda, Precious Marange.
IRE-W vs ZIM-W Head-to-Head in T20
| Matches | IRE-W Won | ZIM-W Won | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
Last Meeting:
29 April 2024 | Abu Dhabi
- Ireland: 176/3 (20)
- Zimbabwe: 120/8 (20)
Ireland Women won by 56 runs
Pitch Report & Weather Forecast
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Venue: Pembroke Cricket Club, Dublin
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Average 1st innings score: 137
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Conditions: Light rain expected with a mild breeze
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Toss Strategy: Win toss, bowl first – Chasing teams have won 4 out of 6 matches here.
Winning Prediction
Given their dominance in head-to-head matchups and consistent recent form, Ireland Women are favourites to take a 1–0 lead in the series. With home conditions and top performers like Gaby Lewis and Orla Prendergast, they look set for a strong opening.
Prediction: Ireland Women to win the 1st T20I.