Ireland opening bat William Porterfield powered an unbeaten 127 not out to lead his side to a 75 run win at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Wednesday (Nov 20) in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier. This match completed the fourth round of matches in Group A. Ireland moved top of the standings thanks to four wins from four games, while the USA now rest at the foot of the table due to a poorer net run rate (NRR) than Uganda and Canada. USA, Uganda and Canada have each won one and lost three games in this qualifying group.
Porterfield’s century helped Ireland to 216 for three from twenty overs. Supporting innings came from Paul Stirling (25), Kevin O’Brien (18) and John Mooney (32). USA replied with 141 all out from 19.3 overs. Akeem Dodson top-scored with 27 and five other batsmen reached double figures. Stirling took three wickets for 25 from four overs. Hong Kong then beat Namibia by eight wickets to start the fifth round of Group A games. Namibia was held to 111 for nine from 20 overs. Hong Kong skipper Jamie Atkinson hit 50 from 43 balls to set his side on a victory path after opening bat Irfan Ahmed was run out from the second ball of the innings. Opener Waqas Barkat was 34 not out and Niazkat Khan 29 not out when a winning 114 for two was reached after 18.2 overs. Hong Kong’s record improves to four wins and a loss, while Namibia is left with two wins and three losses.
The fifth round of matches in Group B continues on Thursday when Ireland (Won 4/lost 0) play Italy (W 1/L 3) followed by Uganda (W1/L3) against the USA (W 1/L3). Canada (W1/L3) then meets host UAE (W3/L1) on Friday: in a vital game from a Canadian perspective where a Canadian win could bolster confidence and set the squad on a path to a playoff place. Canada’s closing Group A games follow against Namibia on Saturday and Italy on Sunday.