Belief key to Ireland's first home test match win, says captain
Cricket
Ireland were struggling at 21-5 while chasing a target of 158 but Tucker and McBrine led them home
(Reuters) – Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie said his side never stopped believing in themselves after they recorded their first win in a home Test match with a four-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in Belfast on Sunday.
The hosts were struggling at 21-5 while chasing a target of 158 in the fourth innings but Lorcan Tucker (56) and Andy McBrine (55 not out) built a 96-run partnership for the sixth wicket to help them clinch their second-ever Test match win.
"We did believe last night. We had our two best batters out ... that partnership was special," Balbirnie said.
"It's entertaining stuff, can't watch at times. We worked hard, got ourselves back a couple times and got through in the end.
"There's no qualification on the line but you see what it means to the team," Balbirnie added.
