New York: Canada joined USA to conjure Upset No. 2 of the tournament by beating Ireland by 12 runs in their Group ‘A’ match of the T20 World Cup at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium here on Friday.
The second successive defeat left Ireland at the bottom of the table and staring down the barrel. A modest target of 138 was too much for the Irish, who could only manage 127 for 7 in the stipulated overs. There was no cream in the top order which collapsed badly, leaving No.6 George Dockrell (30 not out) and No. 8 Mark Adair (34) with too much to do. They put on 62 runs off 41 balls for the seventh wicket though, but that was not enough.
Jeremy Gordon (2/16) and Dilon Heyliger (2/18) were Canada’s bowling stars.
Earlier, Canada huffed and puffed before crawling to 137 for 7, the highest total at this venue in three matches played so far in this tournament. Their total was built on a solid 49 by Nicholas Kirton and a sedate 37 by Shreyas Movva. The middle order batsmen revived the side from a precarious 53 for 4 in the ninth over with a 75-run stand that lent some respectability to the team total.
Kirton was the aggressor, hitting three sixes and two boundaries in his 35-ball knock. He was particularly severe on Craig Young, smashing the fast bowler for 18 runs that included two boundaries and a maximum in the 16th over of the innings.
Shreyas played perfect second fiddle. Rotating the strike regularly, he slipped in three boundary hits in his 36-ball essay.
Barry McCarthy was the best bowler for Ireland with 2 for 24 while Young got his two wickets at the expense of 32 runs.
Brief Scores: Canada 137 for 7 in 20 overs (Nicholas Kirton 49, Shreyas Movva 37, Barry McCarthy 2/24, Craig Young 2/32) bt Ireland 125 for 7 in 20 overs (Mark Adair 34, George Dockrell 30 n.o, Jeremy Gordon 2/16, Dilon Heyliger 2/18).
