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Ireland reached the Final of the Inaugural Desert T20 Challenge, which was played in out in the UAE earlier this week.

Paul Stirling came out as the 2nd highest run getter, making 153 runs in 5 contests, while Jacob Mulder was the most successful bowler in the tournament, taking 10 wickets for Ireland.
Ireland reached the Final of the Inaugural Desert T20 Challenge, which was played in out in the UAE earlier this week.

Paul Stirling came out as the 2nd highest run getter, making 153 runs in 5 contests, while Jacob Mulder was the most successful bowler in the tournament, taking 10 wickets for Ireland.

Here is a look back at all of the games Ireland played in the competition:
Group A

Ireland vs. Afghanistan

In the first game of the tournament Ireland were beaten by Afghanistan by five wickets. Batting first, Ireland got to 125/6 with Paul Stirling top scored with 25 in an opening partnership of 36 with stand-in opener Stuart Poynter (18). Gary Wilson (23) was the other batsman to pass 20 against a disciplined Afghanistan attack.

Najibullah Tarakai (31) and Mohammed Shahzad (29) shared an opening stand of 54 to put their side firmly in control. Jacob Mulder (2-23) dismissed Shehzad and skipper Ashgar Stanikzai in quick succession to give Ireland hope. The run out by Josh Little of Tarakai was followed by wickets for George Dockrell (1-19) and Andy McBrine (1-13) to leave Afghanistan still needing 26 off 26 balls. However, the experienced Mohammed Nabi (26*) saw his team home to secure a five wicket win with more than an over to spare.

IRELAND 125/6 (20 overs; P Stirling 25, G Wilson 23, S Poynter 18, Amir Hamza 2-21, Rashid Khan 2-22, Mohammed Nabi 2-27)

AFGHANISTAN 126/5 (18.4 overs; Najibullah Tarakai 31, Mohammed Shehzad 29, Mohammed Nabi 26*, J Mulder 2-23)

Afghanistan won by five wickets

Ireland vs. Namibia

Ireland kept alive their hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the Desert T20 with a hard-fought five wicket win over Namibia in Abu Dhabi.
Chasing 147 to win, Ireland needed eight from the final over in a thrilling contest. Gary Wilson showed all his experience making a valuable unbeaten 38 (28) to set up Andy McBrine’s heroics. He hit two boundaries to get the much needed win with two balls to spare.

Namibia looked good to set Ireland a big target having reached 89 for 1. However, the Irish bowling attack came back and took a combined 8 for 57 in the final 10.3 overs.
Left-arm teenage paceman Josh Little picked up 2 for 17, while there were also a brace apiece for Kevin O’Brien (2-22), Jacob Mulder (2-27) and Craig Young (2-29) to restrict Namibia to 146/6 after their 20 Overs.

Namibia 146-6 (20 overs; L van der Westhuizen 50, S Baard 32, G Snyman 22, J Little 2-17, K O’Brien 2-21, J Mulder 2-27, C Young 2-29)

Ireland 149-5 (19.4 overs; S Poynter 38, G Wilson 38*, K O’Brien 22)

Ireland won by five wickets

UAE vs. Ireland

Ireland qualified for the semi-finals of the Desert T20 with a 24 run win against hosts UAE in Dubai. Winning the toss and batting first, Ireland made 160 for 6. Kevin O’Brien top scored with 40 (27), while Paul Stirling (39) and Gary Wilson (26) also hit two maximums. The crucial stand for Ireland was of the 4th wicket of O’Brien and Wilson, whose partnership of 53 in just 33 balls shifted the momentum for Ireland.

Boyd Rankin (3-16) blew away any hopes the UAE entertained of chasing the total as he took three wickets in a fiery opening spell. Further wickets for Craig Young and Kevin O’Brien reduced the hosts to 21 for 5 to effectively end the match as a contest. Leg-spinner Jacob Mulder took 2 for 20 for Ireland to restrict the hosts to 136/6. The win secured Ireland’s qualification and faced Scotland, the Winners of Group B in the second Semi Final.

Ireland 160/6 (20 overs; K O’Brien 40, P Stirling 39, G Wilson 26, G Thompson 17, Amjad Javed 2-16, Zahoor Ahmed 2-27)

UAE 136/7 (20 overs; Amjad Javed 47*, Mohammed Naveed 25*, Mohammad Usman 24, B Rankin 3-16, J Mulder 2-20)

Ireland won by 24 runs

Semi Final: Ireland vs. Scotland

Ireland took an emphatic 98-run win against local rivals Scotland in the Desert T20 in Dubai. Ireland won the toss and made 211 for 6, their third highest total in the format, with half centuries from Gary Wilson (65*) and Paul Stirling (60) gave Scotland a formidable total to chase.

Matthew Cross made 35 (16) to give Scotland early hope as he hit 3 sixes and 3 fours in his innings. However, Boyd Rankin (1-10) got the big wicket of the opener to slow their progress. Leg-spinner Jacob Mulder took 4-16, while George Dockrell supported him with 3-28 as Scotland lost 9 wickets for just 41 runs to be 113 all out in the 16th over. Kevin O’Brien (2-24) was the other wicket taker in a memorable win for the Irish against their traditional rivals. Ireland moved into the final where they would play Afghanistan again.

Ireland 211/6 (20 overs; G Wilson 65 no, P Stirling 60, S Poynter 39. K O’Brien 30, C de Lange 2-37, J Davey 2-47)

Scotland 113 all out (15.1 overs; K Coetzer 40, M Cross 35, J Mulder 4-16, G Dockrell 3-28, K O’Brien 2-24)

Ireland won by 98 runs.

Final: Ireland vs. Afghanistan

Ireland struggled to continue their form of their semi-final win over Scotland earlier in the day, falling to Afghanistan in the final off the Desert T20 Challenge. Winning the toss and batting first, Ireland were all out for 71 in the 14th Over, with Paul Stirling (17) Greg Thompson (10*) the only other players to reach double figures. Mohammed Nabi claimed 4 for 14 as the Irish lost 9 wickets for 39 runs.

Mohammed Shahzad and former captain Nowroz Mangal, playing in his final international – took 7.5 overs to secure the inaugural Desert T20 title. Shahzad hit 9 fours and one six in his 52*(4), reaching his half-century with the winning boundary.

There will be plenty of opportunities for Ireland to avenge their defeat to Afghanistan as they head out to India in March for a full schedule of 3 T20Is, 5 ODI’s and the crucial Intercontinental Cup.

Ireland 71 all out (13.2 overs; P Stirling 17, G Thompson 10*, Mohammed Nabi 4-10, Karim Janat 2-14, Amir Hamza 2-15, Ahmad Malik 2-20)

Afghanistan 74/0 (7.5 overs; Mohammed Shahzad 52*, Nowroz Mangal 17*)

Afghanistan won by 10 wickets

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