Canada upsets test nation Ireland with a 12-run victory

KATHMANDU: In a match held at New York on Friday, Canada pulled off a stunning 12-run victory against Test nation Ireland in the ICC T20 World Cup.

Chasing a target of 138 set by Canada, Ireland fell short, managing only 125 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 20 overs.

Canada needed 17 runs in the final over to seal the win. Jeremy Gordon, who bowled the last over, delivered brilliantly, conceding only four runs and taking a crucial wicket to secure a sensational victory for his team against a Test-playing nation.

Despite a valiant effort by Mark Adair, who scored 34 runs, Ireland couldn’t avert the defeat. Contributions from George Dockrell (30 runs), Andy Balbirnie (19 runs), and Lorcan Tucker (10 runs) were not enough to reach the target.

For Canada, Jeremy Gordon and Dillon Heyliger shone with the ball, each taking two wickets. Saad bin Zafar and Junaid Siddiqui chipped in with a wicket apiece.

Earlier, after losing the toss and being put into bat, Canada posted a total of 137 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their 20 overs. Nicholas Kirton was the top scorer with 49 runs off 35 balls, including three fours and two sixes. Shreyas Movva contributed 37 runs, while Pargat Singh and Aaron Johnson added 18 and 14 runs, respectively.

For Ireland, Barry McCarthy and Craig Young each claimed two wickets, while Mark Adair and Gareth Delany picked up one wicket each.

With this victory, Canada recorded their first win of the tournament, climbing to third place in Group A with two points. Canada had previously lost their opening match against the USA by seven wickets.

Ireland, on the other hand, suffered their second consecutive defeat and are at the bottom of the standings. They had previously lost their first match to India by eight wickets.