Canada’s bowlers came together as a team to limit Ireland to 125 for seven in 20 overs after they had posted a competitive total of 137 for seven batting first on a challenging pitch.
This Friday, on a surface that played much better and where the batters weren’t getting struck here, Canada punched above its weight to shock favourites Ireland by 12 runs and earn its first T20 World Cup victory.When given the opportunity to bat first, Canada found it difficult to press the tempo until Nicholas Kirton, a Barbadian native, threw caution to the wind and helped the team reach a competitive 137 for seven.
The first century to be reached at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium came from Kirton, who scorched to a 49 off 35 balls, and wicketkeeper Shreyas Movva, who chipped in with 37 off 36 deliveries.
In response, Ireland reached 125 for seven, surpassing the three-figure threshold as well but falling short of Canada’s 138-run aim.
Ireland’s hopes were restored by George Dockrell (30 not out) and Mark Adair (34 off 24 balls), who combined for an outstanding 62 runs, but they were unable to lead their side to victory.
Their higher-ranked opponent was stopped by the outstanding bowling of Dillon Heyliger (two for 18) and Jeremy Gordon (two for 16).
Following the United States’ upset of the reigning champion Pakistan, this is the second time in two days that an associate team has taken a country completely by surprise.
Because of their inconsistent bounce and incredible movement in the tournament’s first few games, observers were particularly focused on the pitches at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium going into this match.
However, things appeared to have improved significantly once the curators chopped off the grass and rolled it several times.
There was the odd extra bounce, but overall, it behaved considerably better after receiving criticism, with ICC admitting on Thursday that the courses used “have not played as consistently as we would have all wanted”.
Ireland’s decision to bowl first proved correct, as it put Canada on the mat at 53 for four at the start of the ninth over.
Craig Young (two for 32) impressed the most early on, removing Aaron Johnson (14) and Pargat Singh (18) after opening bowler Mark Adair defeated Navneet Dhaliwal (6), who had made a half-century in the tournament opener against the United States.
Meanwhile, leg-spinner Gareth Delany dealt with Dilpreet Bajwa (7), as Canada found itself in deep difficulty at the halfway point after scoring 37 runs for the loss of two wickets in the PowerPlay. This was the second best PowerPlay score in New York, trailing only India’s 39-for-1 against the Irish on Wednesday.
In an attempt to give his team a great start, Dhaliwal failed when he sliced one straight to Dockrell at backward point off Adair’s bowling during the third over.
Johnson hit a couple of boundaries against Josh Little, but he quickly returned to the dressing room after playing a pull shot and conceding a catch at fine leg.
Pargat was caught by Little after a promising start, as he cut a Young delivery while attempting to loft.
Delany then made a wonderful return catch to retrieve Bajwa’s opening ball of the game.
Then, Kirton and Movva led Canada to a difficult total.
When it was time to bat, Ireland reached 26 in 5.4 overs, thanks to Jeremy Gordon’s wicket of skipper Paul Stirling (9).
Andrew Balbirnie (17) followed suit, being caught and bowled by leg-spinner Junaid Siddiqui, while Canada captain Saad Bin Zafar bowled Harry Tector for seven, leaving Ireland at 41 for three in the eighth over.
Ireland’s fortunes deteriorated further as they lost three wickets in a row. Lorcan Tucker (10) was run out, while Curtis Campher (4) and Gareth Delany (3) were dismissed by Dilon Heyliger as Ireland fell to 59 for six in the 13th over and faced defeat.
