AGENCIES
SYLHET
Paul Stirling struck a blistering half-century to guide Ireland to a three-wicket win over Zimbabwe in a Qualifying Group B match of the ICC World T20, here on Monday. Chasing a challenging 163 for five set by Zimbabwe, Stirling (60) and skipper William Porterfield (31) got Ireland off to a blazing start and shared 80 runs off just 8.2 overs for the opening stand to set the platform for the win.
Stirling's 60 came off just 34 balls with the help of nine boundaries and one six, while Porterfield laced his 23-ball knock with three fours and one hit over the fence. Going strong at 100 for two, Ireland lost their next five wickets in a hurry to make life difficult for themselves towards the end with medium-pacer made Tinashe Panyangara (4/37) doing the bulk of the damage.
After Stirling's dismissal, Ed Joyce (22), Andrew Poynter (23) and big-hitting Kevin O'Brien (17) did the bulk of the scoring but failed to ensure the victory for Ireland as they all became victims of Panyangara. But Ireland finally managed to scamper home in the final delivery of their innings with Stuart Thompson remaining unbeaten on three off six balls.
Earlier sent into bat, Zimbabwe rode on skipper Brendan Taylor's 46-ball 59 to reach 163 for five from their allotted 20 overs. Apart from Taylor, Elton Chigumbura (22 not out), Hamilton Masakadza (21), Sean Williams (16) and Vusi Sibanda (16) made significant contributions with the bat.
Left-arm orthodox bowler George Dockrell (2/18) and off-spinner Andy McBrine (2/26) shared four wickets between them for Ireland.
Ireland will play UAE in their next qualifying match on Wednesday here, while Zimbabwe will be up against Netherlands.
Scoreboard
ZIMBABWE:
H Masakadza c Porterfield b McBrine 21
Sikandar c Sorensen b Cusack 10
BRM Taylor c Joyce b Dockrell 59
SC Williams st Wilson b McBrine 16
V Sibanda c Sorensen b Dockrell 16
E Chigumbura not out 22
T Maruma not out 13
EXTRAS: (b 1, lb 4, w 1) 6
TOTAL: (5 wickets; 20 overs) 163
FOW: 1-14, 2-56, 3-78, 4-111, 5-131
BOWLING: PR Stirling 4-0-24-0, AR Cusack 4-0-53-1, MC Sorensen 1-0-11-0, GH Dockrell 4-0-18-2, AR McBrine 4-0-26-2, KJ O’Brien 3-0-26-0.
IRELAND:
WTS Porterfield c Maruma b Williams 31
PR Stirling c Sikandar Raza b Chatara 60
EC Joyce b Panyangara 22
AD Poynter c Chigumbura b Panyangara 23
GC Wilson c Masakadza b Panyangara 0
KJ O’Brien c Williams b Panyangara 17
SR Thompson not out 3
MC Sorensen run out 0
AR Cusack not out 0
EXTRAS: (b 1, lb 4, w 3) 8
TOTAL: (7 wickets; 20 overs) 164
FOW: 1-80, 2-100, 3-129, 4-129, 5-157, 6-162, 7-162
BOWLING: P Utseya 4-0-38-0, T Kamungozi 2-0-17-0, TL Chatara 4-0-20-1, T Panyangara 4-1-37-4, SC Williams 4-0-27-1, H Masakadza 2-0-20-0.
TOSS: Ireland
Man of the match: PR Stirling (Ire)
UMPIRES: SJ Davis (Aus), M Erasmus (SA)
TV UMPIRE: BNJ Oxenford (Aus)
MATCH REFEREE: DC Boon (Aus)