On the opening day of the one-off Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, Ireland faced a dire situation, finding themselves at a perilous 31-5 within the first nine overs. Amidst the chaos, Andy McBrine emerged as a beacon of resilience, scoring an unbeaten 90 as Ireland rallied to post a total of 260.

Blessing Muzarabani wreaked havoc on Ireland's top order, capturing four wickets early on, prompting fears of a low total. The Irish batting looked shaky until a crucial partnership emerged between McBrine and Lorcan Tucker, who contributed a steady 33 runs. Together, they built a 51-run partnership that helped stabilize the innings.

The arrival of Mark Adair added further momentum, as he unleashed a flurry of boundaries during his explosive knock of 78. The duo of Adair and McBrine added a staggering 127 runs for the sixth wicket, surging past the 200-run mark. Adair's aggressive batting featured 13 fours and helped shift the pressure back onto the Zimbabwean bowlers.

McBrine's innings consisted of 12 boundaries off 132 balls, showcasing his tenacity and technique at the crease. This was a personal best for McBrine, surpassing his previous highest score of 86 against England in 2023. Despite Ireland losing their last wickets quickly, McBrine stood firm, providing a much-needed foundation for his team.

In reply, Zimbabwe managed to reach 72-1 at the end of the day, with Nick Welch (33) and Takudzwanashe Kaitano (26) at the crease. Barry McCarthy's early breakthrough gave Ireland hope, but Zimbabwe maintained the advantage entering day two of the match.

The stage is set for an intriguing battle as Ireland seeks to pull back momentum in this exciting Test encounter. With McBrine leading from the front, the Irish side believes they are still very much in contention.