Ireland's top six chipped in with handy contributions as they posted 282 for 8 in the second ODI in Belfast before rain forced an abandonment. Soon after the Ireland innings rain came down and even after two inspections, the officials deemed the field was not fit for play. Ireland lost the opening ODI and will now look to bounce back in the final of the three-match series and pick up crucial ODI Super League points.

Put in to bat, William Porterfield (67 off 100) and Paul Stirling (31 off 71) gave the team a steady but cautious start. Their opening stand lasted 22.3 overs and fetched the team 82. Sean Williams dismissed Stirling first but Andrew Balbirnie (40) injected some momentum into the innings and scored 69 for the second wicket with Porterfield.

Richard Ngarava, who bagged three wickets, dented the hosts with the wicket of the Ireland captain, who was followed by Porterfield nine balls later in the 37th over. Harry Tector (55 off 42), George Dockrell (28 off 19) and Lorcan Tucker (32 off 20) were key architects of the late push Ireland managed. They scored 100 in the final ten overs and 57 in the last five to present Zimbabwe with a stiff challenge.

Ngarava, however, helped Zimbabwe do a bit of damage control with wickets of Porterfield, Balbirnie and Tector. Ireland were 267 for 4 in the 49th over but soon slipped to 277 for 8 and couldn't quite inflict more damage in the final eight deliveries. Three wickets fell in the final over - two courtesy run outs - before Craig Young finished the innings with a last ball boundary.

Brief scores: Ireland 282/8 in 50 overs (William Porterfield 67, Harry Tector 55; Richard Ngarava 3-52) vs Zimbabwe (No result)