Max Sorensen proved the hero for Ireland as they warmed up for next week’s World Twenty20 Qualifying tournament with a narrow nine run win against local side Wings XI in Dubai.
Sorensen struck an unbeaten 28 from just 18 balls (2 fours, 2 sixes) to help Ireland post 121 for 9 in their 20 overs, after they had been precariously placed on 84 for 7 in the 15th over when he came to the crease.
Earlier, Paul Stirling (12) struck three boundaries in a brief cameo, before being dismissed by former Irish international Peter Connell.
Skipper William Porterfield (22) and James Shannon (18) both got starts, but a ring rusty Ireland lost wickets at regular intervals.
Their cause wasn’t helped by the early dismissals of Kevin O’Brien and Trent Johnston – both of whom failed to score.
Defending 121, Tim Murtagh (2-16) struck two early blows for the Irish, but Shaimon (26) and Glenn (22) looked to be winning the game for the local side as they took the total to 81 for 4.
Stuart Thompson (2-15) removed both batsmen in quick succession, and a further two wickets from Max Sorensen (2-13) swung the match back in Ireland’s favour.
With ten needed from 12 balls, left-arm spinner George Dockrell (2-10) had Peter Connell stumped by Gary Wilson to complete the narrow nine run win.
Match Scorecard
At Emirates Palace Ground, Dubai
Ireland XI beat Wings XI by 9 runs
IRELAND XI
W Porterfield run out 22
P Stirling c Charles b Connell 12
N O’Brien b Hinds 10
K O’Brien c Connell b Hinds 0
G Wilson c Hilder b Wilson 11
J Shannon c Raziq b Holder 18
T Johnston run out 0
S Thompson lbw Holder 10
M Sorensen not out 28
G Dockrell c Ishtiaq b Holder 4
T Murtagh not out 2
Extras 4 (4lb)
Total 9 wkts, (20 overs) 121
Fall: 1-15 2-34 3-35 4-54 5-56 6-56 7-84 8-91 9-105
Bowling: Connell 3-0-14-1 Glenn 3-0-22-0 Raziq 2-0-17-0 Hinds 4-0-20-2 Wasim 4-0-22-1 Holder 4-0-22-3
WINGS XI
Ashfaq c Sorensen b Dockrell 13
Charles c&b Murtagh 0
Ishtiaq c Dockrell b Murtagh 17
Holder c Wilson b K O’Brien 11
Shaimon c Sorensen b Thompson 26
Glenn b Thompson 22
Raziq b Sorensen 8
Hinds run out 0
Neeraj b Sorensen 0
Connell st Wilson b Dockrell 7
Wasim not out 1
Extras 7 (5lb, 2w)
Total all out (18.1 overs) 112
Fall: 1-7 2-31 3-31 4-57 5-81 6-94 7-94 8-94 9-105 10-112
Bowling: Johnston 3-0-19-0 Murtagh 2-0-16-2 Dockrell 3.1-0-10-2 Sorensen 3-0-13-2 Stirling 2-0-18-0 K O’Brien 2-0-16-1 S Thompson 3-0-15-2
Cricket Ireland
[350] Max Sorensen – sorensen-max
No
