Very little to choose between the two sides

*Image: Courtesy Star Sports

Pool B match between Ireland and Zimbabwe on Saturday has a lot of importance for the two teams contesting it. Ireland has 4 points from 3 matches and Zimbabwe has only 2 points from 4 matches. In case Ireland wins that game, then it will move into the top 4 ahead of West Indies with 6 points. It will make the contest for the remaining two slots in Pool B for the quarter finals even more interesting. Before this match gets over, the other pool B match between South Africa and Pakistan would have already got over. So that will give us where Ireland, Pakistan and West Indies stand. For Zimbabwe, if they lose, the world cup will come to an end, in spite of their last match against India. In case Zimbabwe wins the encounter against Ireland, then Zimbabwe will also have 4 points and this result will make the group even more exciting.

Because of their win against West Indies, Ireland not only has the 2 points cushion but also has raised expectation of others for them. Zimbabwe would be hurt by the fact that in spite of they being the test nation, they do not walk in as favourite on Saturday. In a way it is good for them as they do not have that burden of expectation to carry. So far, Zimbabwe has played very good cricket in the tournament. It is their inability to bowl well in the death overs that is hurting them big. In their last match they did well to restrict Pakistan to a modest score of 235, but it could have been even less. Even there they allowed Wahab Riaz, lower order batsman to score 50 and they could not dismiss Pakistan. If they had won that match, they would have been comfortably placed. To add to their woes, their skipper Elton Chigumbura is injured and will not play. Brendan Taylor will lead the side in Chigumbura's absence.

Zimbabwe have chased in all its four games so far. On two occasions, they were chasing huge total and they simply failed in that. Against Pakistan, the target was modest and they failed again. The only successful chase that they had was against UAE, even there it was close. Although their chases have been spirited, but not up to the mark. The other factor that would be worrying for them and would need an attention is the amount of runs that they give away in the last 15 overs. For Ireland, if they can keep wickets in hand in the initial part of their innings, they can put pressure on the latter part of the innings on Zimbabwe bowling.

Even Ireland have chased in all their encounters so far. On two occasions, they have done it successfully, one of them was a close call. The third occasion, they were chasing a mammoth total and were never in the chase. Like Zimbabwe, even Ireland have been guilty of giving away too many runs in the last 15 overs. Even Zimbabwe should keep wickets to put pressure on the bowling at the later part of the innings. For Zimbabwe, the problem so far has been that they tend to loose wickets too early putting lot of pressure on lower order. 

Zimbabwe would expect Hamilton Masakadza to come to the party. He has been quiet for a long time. Taylor has been getting good starts but he needs to convert them into big. Ireland's batsmen are in good nick. But the top order cannot leave too much for Kevin O'Brien in the end.

In the bowling and fielding there is nothing much to choose between the two teams. Both of them are equally unpredictable. There can be some burst, where one of the bowlers can have an exceptional spell. In fielding too they can have exceptional moments and some dull ones too.

When Ireland started their world cup campaign back in 2007, it was against Zimbabwe. That match then ended in a Tie. Even today, there is very little to choose between them. Whoever manages their nerves better, will prevail. Eventually it should be a closely contested game.