Stirling’s maiden T20I ton sinks Zimbabwe
After the hosts were put into bat, Stirling hit eight sixes and eight fours in a magnificent 75-ball knock.
His maiden century helped Ireland reach 178 for two and Zimbabwe in reply were dismissed for 138 in 18.2 overs.
But while the Irish bowling was tidy, all the headlines from Wednesday’s victory will go to opener Stirling.
This innings moved Stirling, 30, up from ninth to seventh in the all-time international T20 run standings as he leapfrogged Australia’s David Warner and Shoaib Malik to bring his tally to 2,343.
Chief scores
Ireland: 178/2 in 20 overs (Stirling 115 n.o, Balbirne 31)
Zimbabwe: 138 in 18.2 overs (Ervine 33, Adair 3/11, Little 2/18, Getkate 2/32, White 2/23). (BBC)