IRELAND has defeated Zimbabwe by 60 runs to win the third T20 and claim the series.

Ireland posted 3/169 from its 20 overs, before restricting the hosts to 7/109 from theirs.

The Irish did not get their innings off to a great start, losing their first wicket on the fifth ball of the innings with only one run on the board.

However it was not long before the scoring was free flowing and the wicket taking dried up, as the Irish then put on a 66 run second wicket partnership[ and a 86 run second wicket partnership.

Orla Prendergast was the star of the show with bat in hand for the Irish, smashing nine fours and a six on her way to 69 from 48 balls.

Laura Delany and Amy Hunter also had strong showings with the bat, making 54 not out and 42 respectively.

Meanwhile it was hard going for the Zimbabwean bowlers, but Nomvelo Sibanda, Kelis Ndhlovu and Loreen Tshuma all managed to pick up a wicket each.

Zimbabwe made an okay start to its innings, but really got a boost in the third wicket that was 50 runs in size.

However, once that partnership was broken things really fell apart, with only nine further runs added to the tally. Things were already going a little too slowly but some strong Irish bowling further cemented the fait of the hosts.

Ndhlovu was also the pick of the batters for Zimbabwe with 36, but was only one of three batters to make a double figure score.

Meanwhile for Ireland Louise Little was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Prendergast, Cara Murray and Freya Sargent picked up a wicket each.

Ireland may have wrapped up the series but there are still two matches to be played, taking place on Thursday and Friday local time.