Ross Adair: former Ulster rugby player integrated into the Ireland team

The Northern Knights, 28, all rounder, who is the brother of Irish paceman Mark Adair, scored a try in his only senior appearance for Ulster in 2015.

Tucker will miss the T20s in Harare but will return for the three one-day internationals after being cleared to play in the T20 International League in the UAE.

"I'm absolutely thrilled with the call, but I'm not sure if it's really integrated yet though I'm being honest," Ross Adair said.

"It's a huge honor for me and now I can't wait to go on tour."

Ireland will play three T20 games from January 12-15 against Zimbabwe before three ODIs between the teams January 18-23.

Harry Tector has also been cleared by Cricket Ireland to play franchise cricket - he will take part in the new Nepal T20 but returns to the Ireland squad ahead of the Zimbabwe matches.

Adair, who is a right-handed batsman and left-arm spinner, carved out a professional career in rugby union and played for Ulster in the Pro12 competition in the 2014 season -15.

"I always wanted to surpass myself and reach the highest possible level", said added Adair.

"I had a fairly open and honest conversation with Gary Wilson a few years ago . Gary is someone I trust a lot and doesn't mince words too often, so when he said there was a chance - a small chance, but a chance nonetheless - that's what that I wanted.

"I love my cricket and having the opportunity to potentially represent Ireland at the highest level with Mark would mean the world to me."

He made his A-list debut for Northern Knights in 2021 and in his last Inter-Pro appearance in July hit 111 of 49 balls and claimed 1-28.

If selected to play, Ross and Mark Adair would be the first brothers to play for Ireland in an international since Niall and Kevin O'Brien in the test match at Malahide in 2018.

Squad Ireland Men's T20I: Andrew Balbirnie (Captain), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Fionn Hand, Graham Hume, Tyrone...