Ireland have suffered their second defeat in two matches as they fell 5 runs short against Hong Kong in a thrilling encounter at Malahide.
Final Scorecard
Having won the toss and electing to bowl first, the Ireland attack put in a good performance restricting the Hong Kong side to 129-8 from their 20 overs.
Ireland started brightly with Craig Young, in for Tyrone Kane, having Irfan Ahmed caught by Stuart Poynter for 6 in the second over of the match.
Anshuman Rath (22) and Nizakat Khan (25) both got good starts, with Mark Chapman looking the most threatening of the Hong Kong line-up before he was caught by Stuart Thompson off the bowling of John Mooney for 30 off 24 balls.
Tawir Afzal got 18 vital runs for Hong Kong at the tail end of the innings as they finished on 129-8.
Kevin O’Brien again produced a good display with the ball taking 3-32 off his 4 overs, while there was two apiece for George Dockrell (2-21) and John Mooney (2-18).
With the injured Niall O’Brien missing out, Andy Balbirie was promoted to open the innings with Paul Stirling, but after a flurry of boundaries was on his way back for 9 in the second over.
Paul Stirling looked threatening through out his 26 ball stay for 34 runs, including a majestic six back over the bowler’s head. While William Porterfiled was more watchful from the other end.
Gary Wilson joined the skipper after Kevin O’Brien was run out for 5, and together they set about getting the Ireland chase back on track. But when Wilson was out for a run a ball 16, the Ireland batsmen came and went with Ireland struggling for any momentum.
John Mooney came with Ireland facing an uphill battle with the run rate continually climbing, and faced with 23 to win off the final over Ireland fell just 5 runs short.
For Hong Kong Irfan Ahmed put in a man of the match performance with the ball – his 3 wickets coming at a cost of just 11 runs from 4 overs.
Ireland are next in action against Jersey at 10am on Sunday at Malahide in a must win game. Tickets for that encounter will be available at the gate.
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