IRELAND take on Scotland today in a must-win World Cup qualifying match in Bulawayo with Andy Balbirnie desperate to snap a run of low scores both in England and since his team arrived in Zimbabwe.

After making 53 in the final ODI against Bangladesh in Chelmsford last month, the Ireland skipper has reached double figures just once, recording scores of 0, 0, 2, 2, 12, 2 and 7 - the last of those coming from 19 balls in Monday’s shock loss to Oman.

Balbirnie has bounced back before, notably last August against Afghanistan, and he was within five runs of a maiden Test century  in Sri Lanka in April, but time is running out with Ireland possibly only one Group B defeat away from elimination.

In yesterday’s Group A games, hosts Zimbabwe chased down 315-6 to beat the Netherlands in Harare, while Nepal won the battle of the minnows, passing the USA’s 207 all out with six wickets and seven overs to spare.

Meanwhile Ireland Women leave for the Caribbean today where they will take on the West Indies in three World Championship one-day internationals in St Lucia, followed by three T20s.