Ireland cricket world cup group matches

IRELAND CRICKET WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

BASH IT TO BALBANE

Andrew Balbirnie's unbeaten 70 helped Ireland ease past Hong Kong by eight wickets in their first match of the T20 World Cup Qualifier in Abu Dhabi.

Hong Kong made 153-5 off their 20 overs, Kinchit Shah scoring 79 off 54 balls and Mark Adair taking 2-22.

Ireland reached 155-2 with 16 balls to spare, Balbirnie's innings being backed up by Paul Stirling, who made 62.

MUSTAFA MAKES IT

Ireland lost by five wickets to hosts United Arab Emirates in their second Group B match at the T20 World Cup Qualifier in Abu Dhabi.

An under-par batting performance from Ireland saw them all out for 125 off 20 overs despite Paul Stirling's 72.

Rohan Mustafa took 4-18 and followed that up by top-scoring with 39 as his side reached 129-5 in reply with three overs to spare.

DELANY DESISIVE

Gareth Delany hit an unbeaten 89 as Ireland beat Oman by 35 runs in Abu Dhabi to stay in contention to qualify for next year's T20 World Cup finals.

Delany's innings helped Ireland make 183-8 off their 20 overs and Oman were always struggling in reply, Khawar Ali scoring 50 as they laboured to 148-9.

George Dockrell, Mark Adair and Gareth Delany took two wickets apiece.

MY OPINION

Ireland know that 2 wins from their next three games should assure them of a play off spot in next years but after the UAE defeat they do not look on top form going into the last few fixtures as all of these matches should be won