Summary

  • Ireland need 158 to win after dimissing Zimbabwe for 197

  • Bad light ends play with Ireland 33-5

  • Hosts slip to 21-5 with Moor, Campher and Tector out for ducks

  • Balbirnie departs on 4 and Stirling for 10

  • Ngarava takes four wickets including two in two balls

  • McBrine finishes with 4-38 for Ireland while Matthew Humphreys claims first Test wicket

  • Myers (57) hits first Test half-century

  • Zimbabwe resumed on 12-0 after bowling Ireland out for 250 on the second day

  • This is the first Test match to be played in Northern Ireland

  • Saturday's third day in Belfast is a sell-out

Live Reporting

Mark Strange and Alvin McCaig

  1. Bye for now

    Ire 33-5

    Well, that was a rollercoaster day of Test action as Ireland gained the upper hand before a late collapse leaves Zimbabwe favourites for the win.

    There's still plenty to play for and we'll be back tomorrow for the conclusion of the Test at Stormont.

    That's all from us for now - thanks for your company.

  2. Balbirnie: 'We are behind the eight ball'

    Ire 33-5

    Ireland captain Richard Balbirnie spoke frankly of his side's batting collapse late in the day.

    "We knew it would be a tough period but we were confident that we could chase down the total," he said.

    "We faced some pretty hostile bowling and could have played some better shots. We knew that they would come in firing and we clearly didn't deal with that.

    "We are still confident that we can chase this tomorrow with experienced test batters but it will be tough."

  3. Watch: Tector and Stirling dismissed

    Ire 33-5

    Harry Tector and Paul Stirling add to Ireland woes

  4. Close of play

    Ire 33-5

    We will have no more play this evening as the forecast is looking unfavourable and the umpires have made the decision to end play for the day.

    We will resume play tomorrow morning at 11:00 BST with Ireland five wickets down and still requiring 125 runs to win this test match.

  5. Bad light stops play

    Ire 33-5

    The umpires were discussing bringing the teams off for bad light and, as they were doing so, the rain has come on.

    It may just be a shower but it will give Ireland a chance to regroup.

  6. Ire 33-5

    Andy McBrine knocks a sweetly-struck four to get off the mark but Zimbabwe are still full of confidence.

  7. Ire 29-5

    Alvin McCaig
    BBC Sport NI at Stormont

    What a performance this is from Richard Ngarava, who has taken four wickets in a devastating spell.

    The 26-year-old's previous best was 2-104 against Pakistan three years ago but he's sitting on 4-8 with plenty more to come.

    He's ripped through Ireland's top order and put his side in pole position for victory.

  8. Ire 29-5

    Lorcan Tucker finds a couple of good boundaries that stem the tide for Ireland. More of this needed if they are to have any chance of victory.

  9. Watch: Wickets tumbling at Stormont

    Ire 21-5

    Andrew Balbirnie is next to go as Ireland collapse in run chase

  10. wicket

    WICKET

    Stirling c Madande b Ngarava 10 (Ire 21-5)

    It goes from bad to worse as the skies around Stormont darken to match the mood among the majority.

    It is the combination of Ngarava and Madande again as Stirling edges to the keeper who is certainly enjoying his Saturday more than his Friday.

  11. wicket

    WICKET

    Tector c Madande b Ngarava 0 (Ire 16-4)

    A third Irish batter goes for a duck as Harry Tector is caught behind by Clive Madande. Ngarava has his third wicket and Ireland are in crisis.

    Upon further review, it is dubious as to whether Tector made contact and he roars in frustration as he trudges off.

  12. Ire 16-3

    Paul Stirling survives a shout for a catch but, upon further inspection, it is clear the ball struck him and not his bat. That didn't stop the Zimbabwe players and fans claiming!

  13. Watch: Ngarava strikes twice in two balls

    Ire 14-3

    Richard Ngarava removes PJ Moor and Curtis Campher for ducks

  14. Ire 14-3

    Paul Stirling has brought some semblance of calm at the crease and strokes Ireland's first boundary with a well-struck shot down the middle.

  15. Ire 7-3

    Yes you read that right. Ireland have started terribly and now it is up to Paul Stirling and Harry Tector to steady the rockiest of ships.

  16. Ire 6-3

    Alvin McCaig
    BBC Sport NI at Stormont

    A nightmare start for Ireland and they now have to dig deep to recover.

    Paul Stirling walks to the crease and he's a man for the big occasion - the hosts need a rescue act from him now!

  17. wicket

    WICKET

    Balbirnie c Masvaure b Muzarabani 4 (Ire 6-3)

    This could barely have started any worse for the hosts. This time, Andrew Balbirnie edges behind to Prince Masvaure.

    Every ball is being cheered by the Zimbabwe fans as the air has been sucked out of the home crowd at Stormont.

  18. Watch: McBrine ends Zimbabwe innings

    Ire 6-2

    Andy McBrine takes the final Zimbabwe wicket on Saturday

  19. wicket

    WICKET

    Campher c Bennett b Ngarava 0 (Ire 6-2)

    A dreadful start for Ireland as Curtis Campher goes for a golden duck. A lazy shot straight into the arms of Sean bennett and all of the noise is coming from the Zimbabwe fans.

    Ireland need to settle and fast.

    What a start for Zimbabwe and Richard Ngarava.

  20. wicket

    WICKET

    Moor c Gumbie b Ngarava 0 (Ire 6-1)

    After his haul of 79 yesterday PJ Moor faces just two balls today and goes for a duck. Caught by Clive Madande