Ireland won the second one-day international against Zimbabwe in Harare by 45 runs to level the series at 1-1.
Ireland, asked to bat first, gave a debut to Murray Commins in for the injured captain Andy Balbirnie and made 297 for 7 off their 50 overs. Stephen Doheny, making his first one day international half century, scored 84 runs while Harry Tector made 75 off just 61 balls faced.
Ireland's stand in captain Paul Stirling also chipped in with a useful 45.
Ireland looked as if they would get well beyond 300 but wickets fell at regular intervals in the back half of the Irish innings as they fell three runs short of three figures.
Zimbabwe in reply lost opener Tadiwanashe Maruman after just two balls and despite half centuries from Innocent Kaia and former England player Gary Ballance, the hosts were quickly behind the required run rate and were eventually bowled out for 248 with Josh Little taking 4 for 38.
With the three match series now level, the final and deciding game is on Monday.
Meanwhile Ireland were hammered by 121 runs by England in the first of their Super Six games at the Women's Under-19 world cup in South Africa.
England batted first made a huge total of 207 for 2 before bowling an inexperienced Irish side out for just 86 runs.
Ireland's second game of the Super Six is against Pakistan on Monday.
