|| AFP ||

Paul Stirling's maiden Twenty20 international century inspired Ireland's 40-run win against Zimbabwe as the hosts moved 2-1 up in their five-match series on Wednesday.

Ireland opener Stirling hit 115 not out in his team's total of 178 for two.

His 75-ball knock featured eight fours and eight sixes.

Zimbabwe were dismissed for 138 to give Ireland a convincing victory.

Stirling reached his fifty at a strike rate of only just better than a run-a-ball, but moved through the gears during the final few overs.

He motored from 52 off 47 to his century in the space of 23 balls, with three maximums off a Tendai Chatara over costing 25 runs bringing up his three figures.

In the process, Stirling became only the second player after Kevin O'Brien to score a hundred for Ireland in the format having previously been dismissed twice in the 90s.