FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Third One Day International - England v Ireland - Ageas Bowl, Southampton, Britain - August 4, 2020 Ireland's Andy Balbirnie walks off after being caught by England's Sam Billings off the bowling of Adil Rashid, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Mike Hewitt/Pool via REUTERS/File photo
(Reuters) - Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie said his side never stopped believing in themselves after they recorded their first win in a home test match with a four-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in Belfast on Sunday.
The hosts were struggling at 21-5 while chasing a target of 158 in the fourth innings but Lorcan Tucker (56) and Andy McBrine (55 not out) built a 96-run partnership for the sixth wicket to help them clinch their second-ever test match win.
"We did believe last night. We had our two best batters out ... that partnership was special," Balbirnie said after winning the one-off test.
"It's entertaining stuff, can't watch at times. We worked hard, got ourselves back a couple times and got through in the end.
"There's no qualification on the line but you see what it means to the team," Balbirnie added.
(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
