Muscat, Feb 21
Ireland and UAE booked tickets to the semifinals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier A in contrasting fashion at the Al Amerat Grounds, here on Monday.
In the Group A clash, Ireland defeated Germany in handsome style chasing down 108 in 13.1 overs to boost their net run rate and qualify as group topper. The Germans were restricted to 107/5 after an insipid batting performance that saw only two batters reach double digits.
In the second match, UAE managed to make their way to the semis on account of a better Net Run Rate despite losing to Bahrain by two runs.
Ireland also had four points but finished with a NRR of +0.991 while UAE (+0.661) and Bahrain (+0.240) came second and third respectively.
The UAE-Bahrain match went down to the wire with the Emiratis needing 27 runs off Shahid Mahmood’s last over after Bahrain set up a target of 173.. The in-form Vriitya Aravind smashed two boundaries and two sixes to bring the equation down to five runs off the last ball.
Mahmood managed to hold his nerve and conceded only two to ensure Bahrain got over the line.
UAE had a shaky start as opener Muhammad Waseem was out cheaply. Chirag Suri played a delightful 24-ball 26 but he gave away his wicket with UAE needing 138 in 14 overs.
Aravind and Rohan Mustafa gave it a good go, forging a 91-run fourth-wicket partnership to keep the UAE in the game.
Bahrain bowled well as Sarfraz Ali put in an impressive performance scalping two crucial back-to-back wickets in the 19th over to halt the UAE run chase.
While batting, Bahrain posted 172/5 in 20 overs riding on David Mathias’ 46 off 35 deliveries.
“With Aravind playing so well, we still believed till the last ball that it (run chase) was possible. If the last shot too had beaten the fielder, it would have gone to a Super Over that I think would have been an ideal finish to this match. Congratulations to Bahrain though, they played amazingly well in this game and in the tournament as well,’’ stated Ahmed Raza, UAE captain. “Definitely disappointed that we could not make the semifinals but I’m happy with the win today,’’ Sarfraz Ali, Bahrain skipper said.
Bowlers turn up for Ireland
A disciplined bowling effort ensured Ireland restricted Germany to 107/7 in 20 overs.
Thereafter, Paul Stirling and skipper Andy Balbirnie, took control of the run-chase with an authoritative performance at the Oman Academy 1 ground. Both the batters smashed boundaries with ease as they raced to an opening stand of 67 in 7.5 overs. Balbirnie’s 32 came off 21 and Stirling’s 34 off 27 ensured that the team maintained a healthy net run-rate (NRR) from the start.
Ireland eventually romped home with 41 balls to spare as they wrapped up proceedings with a superior NRR.
Oman, Nepal in last four
Oman and Nepal registered comfortable wins over Philippines and Canada respectively in Group B.
The hosts skittled out Philippines for 36 with Khawar Ali claiming 4/11 and two wickets apiece to Kaleemullah, Fayyaz Butt and Aamir Kaleem.
They chased down the target in 2.5 overs to pick up the requisite points and qualify for the semis.
Nepal outplayed Canada as Sandeep Lamichhane scalped 3/12 to bowl them out for 80. Nepal reached the target in 14.1 overs to win by eight wickets.
Brief scores: Group A: Germany: 107/7 in 20 overs (Faisal Mubashir 45; Josh Little 2-13) lt to Ireland: 111/3 in 13.1 overs (Paul Stirling 34, Andy Balbirnie 32)
Bahrain: 172/5 in 20 overs (David Mathias 46; Basil Hameed 1/10) bt UAE: 170/6 in 20 overs (Vriitya Aravind 84, Rohan Mustafa 41; Sarfraz Ali 2/24)
Group B: Philippines: 36 all out in 15.2 overs (Khawar Ali 4-11) lt to Oman: 40/1 in 2.5 overs (Khurram Nawaz 33)
Canada: 80 all out in 15 overs (Sandeep Lamichhane 3-12) lt to Nepal: 81/2 in 14.1 overs (Kushal Burtel 34)
