Right then! That is it from this game! The action from T20 World Cup Qualifier A continues and Ireland will go up against Germany in their next game on Monday, 21st February. That game begins at 11.30 am IST (6 am GMT). Do join us then and make sure you tune in early for the buildup. Cheers!
Gareth Delany is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH. He says that it was a tricky start for him but George Dockrell helped along well. Tells that they had a disappointing start as they lost to UAE but they knew that they need to win the remaining games in order to qualify for the semis. Says that they have got the win here and will now look forward to get a win against Germany as well.
Andy Balbirnie, the skipper of Ireland, says that it was a tough game and they are happy to end up on the right side. Tells that Craig Young has been bowling well for them and applauds him for the way he bowled in this match. Adds that Dockrell and Delany batted well and they knew that it was always going to be tough to beat Bahrain.
Bahrain skipper, Sarfaraz Ali is up for a chat. He says that it was a tough game but will come back stronger in the next game. Tells that the bowlers bowled well but the last 5 overs cost them the match. Adds that they are enjoying their cricket and hopefully they will do their best next time.
... THE PRESENTATION ...
Ireland bowlers were clinical as they didn't allow the game to drift away from them at any point. All the bowlers, apart from Josh Little, stuck to their task and kept Bahrain's batters on toes. Craig Young snared three wickets while the spinners got one wicket apiece. All in all, it was a dominant performance from the Irish team. Ireland have now moved up and secured the third spot in the points table. They will now need to win their next game against Germany in order to qualify for the semi-final.
Bahrain had a decent target to chase and their openers, Muhammad Younis and Sarfaraz Ali did lay a decent foundation. Although, once Bahrain lost both of them, they were in a spot of bother. None of the other batters got going and the required rate kept creeping up. David Mathias held one end but even he was unable to find boundaries at regular intervals. They kept on losing wickets at the backend and were handed a comprehensive defeat. Sathaiya Veerapathiran did hit a few lusty blows in the end overs but it was too little too late for Bahrain.
A pretty comfortable victory in the end for Ireland. Their bowlers stuck to their plans and made sure that Bahrain's batters don't run away with the chase. They kept their calm even though they failed to make early inroads and Bahrain never looked like chasing down the total once their opening stand was broken.
Over 20 : 137/5
16 Runs
1 WD
19.1
619.1
019.2
619.3
219.4
019.5
119.6
S. Veerapathiran
33 (14)
M. Safdar
8 (6)
S. Singh
4-0-40-1
19.6
1
Simi Singh To Sathaiya Veerapathiran
Floats it up, on middle. Sathaiya Veerapathiran gets low and sweeps it to deep square leg for a single. IRELAND WIN BY 21 RUNS!
19.5
0
Simi Singh To Sathaiya Veerapathiran
This is pushed back to the bowler.
19.4
2
Simi Singh To Sathaiya Veerapathiran
Full and outside off, Sathaiya Veerapathiran slices it to deep cover for a brace.
19.3
6
Simi Singh To Sathaiya Veerapathiran
SIX! Wow! Loopy ball, on middle. Sathaiya Veerapathiran hammers it all the way over long on for a biggie.
19.2
0
Simi Singh To Sathaiya Veerapathiran
Outside off, Sathaiya Veerapathiran misses his cut.
19.1
6
Simi Singh To Sathaiya Veerapathiran
SIX! Short and on middle, Sathaiya Veerapathiran pulls it to fine leg for a maximum.
19.1
wd
Simi Singh To Sathaiya Veerapathiran
WIDE! Short and wide, outside off, beyond the tramline. Wide called.
Over 19 : 121/5
8 Runs
118.1
018.2
1 WD
18.3
018.3
418.4
018.5
218.6
M. Safdar
8 (6)
S. Veerapathiran
18 (8)
M. Adair
4-0-25-0
18.6
2
Mark Adair To Muhammad Safdar
On middle, Safdar heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
18.5
0
Mark Adair To Muhammad Safdar
Outside off, on a length. Muhammad Safdar heaves across the line and misses.
18.4
4
Mark Adair To Muhammad Safdar
FOUR! Too little too late for Bahrain! Short ball, on middle. Muhammad Safdar miscues his pull. The ball goes off the top edge to deep square leg for a boundary.
18.3
0
Mark Adair To Muhammad Safdar
On a good length, on middle. Muhammad Safdar swings across the line but misses once again.
18.3
wd
Mark Adair To Muhammad Safdar
WIDE! Length ball, down leg. Left alone. Wided.
18.2
0
Mark Adair To Muhammad Safdar
Short of a length, on middle. Muhammad Safdar swings but misses.
18.1
1
Mark Adair To Sathaiya Veerapathiran
Short ball, on middle. Sathaiya Veerapathiran pulls it without any timing to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Over 18 : 113/5
17 Runs
W
17.1
617.2
617.3
217.4
117.5
217.6
M. Safdar
2 (1)
S. Veerapathiran
17 (7)
S. Singh
3-0-24-1
17.6
2
Simi Singh To Muhammad Safdar
Flatter ball, outside off. Muhammad Safdar cuts it behind point for a brace.
17.5
1
Simi Singh To Sathaiya Veerapathiran
Outside off, Sathaiya Veerapathiran cuts it to deep point for a run.
17.4
2
Simi Singh To Sathaiya Veerapathiran
This is pushed straight down the ground but only for a single.
17.3
6
Simi Singh To Sathaiya Veerapathiran
SIX! Two in a row! Short and on middle, Sathaiya Veerapathiran stands tall and hammers it over deep mid-wicket for another biggie.
17.2
6
Simi Singh To Sathaiya Veerapathiran
SIX! BOOM! Loopy ball, on middle. Sathaiya Veerapathiran gets low on one knee and pumps it over long on for a maximum.
Muhammad Safdar walks out to bat.
17.1
W
Simi Singh To David Mathias OUT!
OUT! TAKEN! Bahrain lose their fifth wicket now. Quicker delivery, on middle. David Mathias smacks it to deep mid-wicket. Not enough power on that one though. Harry Tector settles under it and takes his third catch.
WI
BAN
IRE 158/5
Top Bowlers
BAH 137/5
Top Batsmen
