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ABU DHABI, UAE – Having booked a place in today’s tri-series final by the finest of margins, net run rate, Ireland Wolves can look back with mixed emotions as they gave themselves an opportunity to overcome a strong Sri Lanka A side.

Having lost the toss, Ireland Wolves batted first and found themselves in trouble when they lost five wickets for 36 runs, resulting in the number four batter Morgan Topping (73) working with the middle and lower order to reach a presentable total.  

Stephen Doheny (19) and Cade Carmichael (21) had started the innings brightly, but Doheny’s wicket sparked a collapse and Ireland struggled against the Sri Lankan spinners.

RMMP Rathnayake (3-23) and KT Hasanka Ratnayake (4-51) in particular caused Ireland all sorts of problems in the middle overs.  

But Tom Mayes (36) gave Ireland Wolves some hope when he joined Topping with his team at 7-110. The pair then added 74 for the eighth wicket.

Another 16 runs were added to the total after his departure and Ireland Wolves went in at the break knowing they needed things to go their way to defend a round 200 in the second half.  

Tom Mayes (3-38) and Liam McCarthy (2-50) immediately understood the assignment and took 5-53 between them within the first powerplay to leave the pre-match favourites reeling.

Unbeaten in the tri-series to this point, Sri Lanka A showed the depth within their batting line-up as Rathnayake (77*) and Pavan Rathnayake (77*) went shot for shot and rebuilt the innings, reaching the target in the 35^th over without losing another wicket.