Twitter Reactions: Zimbabwe make dramatic comeback to put Ireland on backfoot after Day 3

On Day 3 of the one-off Test at Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast, Ireland bowled out Zimbabwe for 197 runs and were favourite to pick up the win on home turf. Dion Myers, who had a decent time in the white-ball series against India, made 57 runs while veteran Sean Williams scored 40 runs, which helped Zimbabwe remain in the contest. For Ireland, Andy McBrine picked up four wickets while Mark Adair and Craig Young picked up two wickets each.

Chasing 158 runs in the final innings, Ireland were confident of getting the job done but Zimbabwe's pacers were phenomenal in the final session of the day which set up a dramatic contest on Day 4. Ace pacer Richard Ngarava picked up four wickets while Blessing Muzarabani picked up one as Ireland were reduced to 21/5. They managed to finish the day on 33/5 and now need 125 runs to win the game.

Interestingly, the hosts refrained themselves from sending a night watchman, who could have stopped the flow of Zimbabwe pacers. As things stand, chasing 125 runs on Day 4 won’t be an easy task, especially with Zimbabwe having a lot of momentum. Lorcan Tucker and Andy McBrine have the responsibility to see things off as they don’t have any recognized batters or all-rounders after that.

Tucker failed to open his tally in the first innings but has been good in the second one. Brine, on the other hand, made 28 runs in the first innings before falling prey to Tendai Chatara. Notably, batting at number 11, youngster Matthew Humphreys made 27 runs in the first innings and he could prove to be important for Ireland on Day 4. 

A good partnership from here can take Ireland home but Zimbabwe won’t make things easy for them. It will be a cloudy day on Day 4 and the conditions will help the bowlers, which makes Zimbabwe the favourites but on their home ground, Ireland would fancy to pull off a stunning win.

Here's how X reacted: