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IT was a disappointing end to the one-day series between Zimbabwe and Ireland women’s sides after their third and final 50-over match was abandoned without a ball being bowled at St George’s College in Harare yesterday.

The wicket was dry with some covers neatly tucked in to cover the playing surface, but several tracks failed to dry out in time for the series decider following an overnight downpour.

And after a long wait, with 1.35pm being the cut-off time for any possible start, the umpires finally called off the match which meant it was a drawn series after the two sides won a match apiece in the first two games that were played at Country Club, also in the capital.

Zimbabwe won the first one-dayer comfortably by seven wickets (Duckworth-Lewis method) before Ireland levelled the matters with a 12-run win in the second match.

Zimbabwe coach Adam Chifo was a disappointed man after rain played the party-spoiler to their quest to complete a double over Ireland given that they managed to account for the visitors 2-1 away in South Africa last year.

“I am very disappointed as we were looking forward to this game, but the situation was out of our hands,” Chifo said, summing up the mood in the Zimbabwe camp.

The focus now switches to the Twenty-20 series in which the two sides will face off in five matches, starting tomorrow with the game pencilled in for Thursday at the Country Club.

“We have done well previously in the T20s, but I guess it comes down to how we execute our plan on the day and also how much the Ladies really want it,” Chifo said.

ZIMBABWE WOMEN VERSUS IRELAND WOMEN T20 SCHEDULE

8 February 2018 1st T20 Match, Country Club

10 February 2018 2nd T20 Match, Country Club

11 February 2018 3rd T20 Match, St George’s

13 February 2018 4th T20 Match, St George’s

14 February 2018 5th T20 Match, Country Club. — Zim Cricket.