Ireland opener Ross Adair has been ruled out of the T20 series against Zimbabwe which starts on Saturday with uncapped Tim Tector called up as his replacement.

Former Ulster rugby player Adair will miss the three-match series because of a calf injury.

Tector, a brother of Ireland internationals Harry and Alice, earns his first senior call-up after previously playing for the Ireland Wolves and captaining his country at the 2022 Under-19 World Cup.

Adair is a brother of Ireland all-rounder Mark Adair, whose impressive bowling display helped the Irish level the one-day international series in Harare on Sunday.

The injured opener’s last innings for Ireland was an impressive 100 off 58 balls against South Africa in Abu Dhabi last September.

Ireland selector Andrew White described Adair’s withdrawal as an “unfortunate loss” but said he had “no doubt” Tector is ready for senior international cricket.

“He has been the inter-provincial T20 competition’s leading run-scorer for two years running, not only scoring heavily but also at a strike-rate over 150,” added White.

After Saturday’s opener in Harare, the T20 series will continue on Sunday before next Tuesday’s concluding game which will be Ireland’s final tour fixture.

Ireland defeated the hosts in the one-off Test in Bulawayo and the sides are level at 1-1 going into Tuesday’s decider in the one-day series in Harare.