Watch: Chatara saves boundary, batters run five in ZIM vs IRE Test

Fielding is often termed as the most crucial and selfless aspect in the game of cricket, and it has been seen numerous times where the cricketers have pulled off stunning attempts in the field to save important runs for the team, which have at times turned into match-saving efforts.

However, during the recently concluded one-off Test between Ireland and Zimbabwe at Belfast, an exuberant action on the field by Tendai Chatara, turned into agony, as the opposition batters took the advantage of the time taken to recollect the ball and throw it back towards the pitch, running five times between the 22-yard strip.

The incident occurred during the 18th over of the second Irish innings, as Andy McBrine was facing the third ball of the over by Richard Ngarava. The batter drove the ball in the gap towards the off side, as an alert Tendai Chatara chased the ball to stop it from running towards the boundary.

Chatara did succeed to stop the ball, but the momentum carried him to hurdle over the advertising boards at the boundary line. By the time the fielder could recover and throw the ball back, the batters ran five, thereby turning a hard work in the field into agony.

Watch the video of the incident here:

McBrine’s unbeaten half-century takes the Irish home

Chasing 158 with over two days left in the play, the hosts entered to bat the final innings with a winning intent. However, much to their disliking, a brilliant bowling partnership by Blessing Muzarabani and Ngarava, enforcing half the side to walk back with just 21 runs on the board. Zimbabwe were well and truly into the game until McBrine and wicketkeeper-batter Lorcan Tucker decided to take the team through.

Eventually, it was a 96-run partnership by the duo, which surely brought the home team back into the chase. The stumper-batter departed for a fighting 56 off just 64 deliveries, before getting undone of a peach by Muzarabani. Mark Adair was the new batter in, and he paired well with McBrine to stay at the crease, until the finishing line was breached.

Ultimately, on the first ball of the 37th over, the Irish achieved the target, clinching the nail-biting game by four wickets. McBrine turned out to be the Player of the Match for his 83 runs (1st Innings — 28; 2nd Innings — 55*) and 7 wickets (1st Innings — 3/37; 2nd Innings — 4/38) in the match.