Harry Tector and George Dockrell guided Ireland to a 2-1 T20 series success over Zimbabwe with a six-wicket win in Harare.
The outcome was very much in the balance as Ireland slipped to 37 for four in pursuit of Zimbabwe's 140 for six.
But Tector (54*) and Dockrell (49*) shared an unbroken partnership of 104 from 76 balls as Ireland got home with eight deliveries to spare.
Having won the toss and elected to bowl, Ireland receied an early boost when Josh Little (2-21) struck with his first ball of the second over.
However, the home side hit the accelerator, scoring 37 off the next 32 balls. Brian Bennett (27 off 19 balls) was the main antagonist, striking a number of cross-bat shots over and to the boundary.
Three quick wickets then fell, sparked by a spell of 2-8 off two accurate overs by leg-spinner Gareth Delany.
The Leinster-man varied his flight and pace to great effect, prising out Wessly Madhevere (14) and Bennett.
The momentum of the innings swung back towards the hosts, with Ryan Burl - stand in captain after Sean Williams had to withdraw with injury – lashing 38 off 28 balls before firing a cover drive straight to Delany.
The final total of 140-6 was potentially a below-par score but on a wearing pitch the run chase was never going to be straightforward.
However, after a bright start, things turned grim for Ireland, slumping to 29-3 off 4.3 overs, with Andrew Balbirnie, Paul Stirling and Lorcan Tucker falling early. Curtis Camphner fell with the tourists mired on 37.
However, this heralded the arrival of the Tector-Dockrell partnership. The duo never looked trouble as they chased down the target.
The two Leinster Lightning batters may have struck five maximums and six boundaries during their stand, but it was their running between the wickets and regular turn over of strike that was the feature of their partnership.
This was the second unbeaten century stand for the 5th wicket involving Dockrell after he and Campher hit 119* against Scotland at the T20 World Cup last year.
In a further accolade, Ireland's Craig Young claimed Bowler of the Series taking five wickets at 16.00 with an economy rate of 6.67.
The sides commence a three-match ODI series on Wednesday but for the time being, Ireland can bask in a first ever series win in Zimbabwe, having lost the opener.
Scorecard
Zimbabwe 140-6 (20 overs; R Burl 36; G Delany 2-8, J Little 2-21, C Young 2-27)
Ireland 141-4 (18.4 overs; H Tector 54*, G Dockrell 49*; B Mavuta 1-17)
