DHAKA: Zimbabwe lost its last hope to reach the second round of the ICC World Cup as Ireland successfully defended their 331-run in a thrilling Pool B match in Hobart Saturday.

In response to Ireland-set 332-run target, Zimbabwe lost all wickets to score 326 runs in 49.3-over, thanks to their captain BRM Taylor’s 121-run off 91-ball and SC William’s 96-run off 83-ball.

AR Cusack grabbed four wickets for Ireland while JF Mooney and KJ O’Brien took two wickets each. GH Dockrell and AR McBrine took one wicket each.

At one stage, Zimbabwe were four down for 74-rin in the 17th over and sinking. But, Taylor and Williams dragged them back with an absolutely magical partnership of 149-run.

Williams kept them going, but when he was out, in controversial circumstances, Zimbabwe looked out of it again.

No 10 batsman Mupariwa hit 4, 4, 6 off successive balls to bring it down to seven from the final over, but Alex Cusack, fittingly, won it in the last over.

He was Ireland’s best bowler, and his slower ball kept dragging Ireland back into the game whenever they looked like slipping away.

Earlier, Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor won the toss and decided to field first in the match that kicked off at Bellerive Oval at 9:30am Bangladesh time.

Ireland scored 331-run losing eight wickets in their stipulated 50 overs. Joyce and Balbirnie scored 112 and 97 runs respectively.

Tendai Chatara and Sean Williams were most successful, taking three wickets each while T Panyangara took one.

BDST: 1833 HRS, MAR 07, 2015