Taylor has yet to play an uncontrolled shot but has amassed 86 in 70 balls, three of which come from a fine sweep that is flicked back just before it touches the rope. Williams is also pulling his weight - he has 46 from 49.

Taylor moves into the 80s with an almost effortless lofted drive over mid-off for four off McBrine. A couple of singles bring up the 100 partnership - one which is threatening to be a sensational match-winning one. To underline this, Williams goes down on one knee and swipes McBrine's last ball through mid-wicket for four.

Ireland could need every run at their disposal and Cusack does superbly to save two with a sliding stop on the midwicket boundary. A leg-bye and two further singles gives Zimbabwe five for the over. The run-rate rises but, crucially, these two batsmen remain.

Zimbabwe 164-4 (30 overs) - target 332

Batsmen: Taylor 77*, Williams 36*

Fall of wickets: 32-1 (Raza 12), 32-2 (Chibhaba 18), 41-3 (Masakadza 5), 74-4 (Mire 11)

Bowling figures: Cusack 5-2-11-1, Mooney 7-0-40-1, K O'Brien 5-0-37-1, G Dockrell 7-0-32-1, McBrine 5-0-30-0, Stirling 1-0-12-0

Ireland 331-8: Joyce 112, Balbirnie 97

Full scorecard

Image source, Getty Images

Porterfield is desperately searching for a breakthrough and turns back to the spin of McBrine. It is a decent over that goes for four runs, but poses no genuine threat to either Taylor or Williams. There are 20 overs to go and the required run-rate is 8.40.

O'Brien gets another (possibly a last) chance to impress in this spell. He is not helped in the field, though, as Taylor pokes at a decent ball that is heading to point but somehow nips past him and rolls to the boundary. O'Brien hits Williams' pads with his last ball but his appeal is in vain. There are a few grimaces amongst the Ireland players now. They know they need to make something happen in their favour. And soon.

Gerard Whateley
BBC Test Match Special

"This might be another night where we see the changing face of cricket, where all the old numbers and records are diminished in relevance."

Brett Geeves
Ex-Australia pace bowler on BBC Test Match Special

"Quite often, all a player like Taylor needs is somebody to stick with him and let him have the strike. It's difficult to build an innings when wickets are falling around you. He has that opportunity tonight."

Taylor looks completely in control here. He is playing a sensible and highly effective innings. He scores another boundary by steering a lose ball from Mooney past short fine leg and down to the rope. Taylor hasn't scored an ODI century since 2011, but he is looking good for one here.

Brett Geeves
Ex-Australia pace bowler on BBC Test Match Special

"These two have made the game look easy. They have taken control and have just knocked the ones and twos into gaps. They've also been able to pounce on the bad balls and put them away to the boundary when they come."

Porterfield makes it double bowling change that dumps the spin option entirely. Back comes O'Brien but he starts badly with a short ball that Williams pulls powerfully for four. He also ends poorly with a full toss that Taylor hammers through cover for another boundary. This is a crucial period of the game now. If these two stay at the crease then Zimbabwe will get very close. Momentum is building.

Brett Geeves
Ex-Australia pace bowler on BBC Test Match Special

"It's good from Ireland to bring the opening bowler back into the attack. It's worth taking the risk to try and take that extra wicket because 130-odd for five breaks this wide open for Ireland. These two have batted really well, though. They have consolidated really nicely."

Porterfield brings an end to the spin and recalls opener Mooney to try and break this now established partnership. It doesn't change the Zimbabweans from their current course but does slow their momentum, with just two singles coming from the over.

Alan Lewis
Ex-Ireland captain on BBC Test Match Special

"Zimbabwe can just knock it around. They need eight an over, but they have plenty of time and Taylor is an experienced batsman."

Dockrell continues and Williams takes a risk with a paddle up and over the keeper. It was premeditated and brings him a single. Taylor drives into cover to add another two and the pair plunder a further single apiece to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Alan Lewis
Ex-Ireland captain on BBC Test Match Special

"It wasn't much of a celebration from Taylor. There's work to be done."

Listen to ball-by-ball Test Match Special commentary by clicking on the audio icon.

Spinner Stirling comes into the attack for his first over but drops his second ball way too short and is punished appropriately by Taylor, who smashes the ball to cow corner for four. The Zimbabwe batsman, who has already passed the 5,000-run ODI mark during this innings, brings up his 50 with a flicked single. Another Taylor run later in the over brings up the 50 partnership between himself and Williams (off 45 balls).

Image source, AFP

Ian, Barcelona: Doesn't it say something about the English mindset that they continue to exclude James Tredwell, relying on four similar seamers, while the Irish rely on George Dockrell as one of their front line bowlers? This stubborn faith in seam when other countries, including associates, show how valuable spin can be is testament to wilful blindness on the part of the English selectors.

The experienced Taylor is a calming presence for Zimbabwe. As long as he is out there, especially with the able Williams, Zimbabwe have hope of achieving this huge ask. Dockrell bowls a tight line but the pair are able to work him around for three singles before Taylor adds another three with a sweep.