Zimbabwe will take on Ireland in the first ODI of the three-match series on Wednesday (December 13) at the Harare Sports Club. Ireland won the three-match T20I series by 2-1 after defeating the hosts in the last two matches. The first match was abandoned due to rain.

Zimbabwe have made a lot of changes to the squad. Skipper Craig Ervine was ruled out of the series due to injury. Sikandar Raza has been appointed the captain of the side in Ervine’s absence. Raza has previously captained Zimbabwe in three ODIs. Sean Williams and Brad Evans were also ruled out due to injuries. A total of seven new players have been picked in the squad, including Faraz Akram. Akram has played four T20Is for Zimbabwe but is yet to make his ODI debut.

Ireland have made three changes to their side. Ross Adair and Gareth Delany, who were a part of the T20I series, have been omitted from the ODI squad. Andy McBrine has been included in the squad. McBrine was also a part of the ODI squad, which toured England in September this year.

(Will be added when there is an update)

The surface at the Harare Sports Club will likely remain balanced throughout this match. The average first innings total in the last five ODI matches here has been 224 runs. The teams batting first and second have won an equal number of matches in the last 10 ODI matches at this venue. However, chasing might be the preferred option of the team that wins the toss here.