Cricket:Ireland scored their highest total in Twenty20 cricket here at the SCC ground this morning but it still wasn't enough as Canada won this Quadrangular series clash by four runs in a high-scoring affair.
Ireland’s bowlers toiled in the early morning heat to little avail as Canada racked up 176 for three in their 20 overs.
Andre Botha was the only wicket-taker for Ireland, and even his return of three for 35 was helped by two wickets in the final over.
In fairness, it was a belter of a track at the former home of Sri Lankan Test cricket, with Canada’s batsmen adapting an aggressive stance from the off.
Opening batsman Hiral Patel was the star performer, finishing unbeaten on 88 from 61 deliveries, with eight fours and two sixes. Ashish Bagai clubbed 42 from 27, while pinch hitter Rizwan Cheema made 34 at the top of the order.
William Porterfield and Niall O’Brien ensured Ireland were ahead of the rate in the early overs, before Porterfield fell for 19 in the fifth over with 51 already on the board.
Paul Stirling hit a beautiful straight six in his knock of 22, but his departure signalled a mini collapse.
Kevin O’Brien was run out by a direct hit after making five, while older brother Niall went after making 50 from 34 balls when he was trapped leg-before by Khurram Chohan.
Gary Wilson chipped in with 22 and Andre Botha made 11 but regular wickets gave Canada the edge in the closing overs.
Ireland entered the last over requiring 12 runs to win with Andrew White and John Mooney at the wicket. But the boundaries wouldn’t come and once Mooney was run out with two balls to come, Ireland’s hopes evaporated.
Phil Simmons’s side finish their series tomorrow against Sri Lanka ‘A’, where a victory may still be good enough for them to win the competition.
TWENTY20 QUADRANGULAR
At SCC, Colombo: Canada: 176-3 (20 ovs) (H Patel 88no, A Bagai 42, R Cheema 34; A Botha 3-35), Ireland 172-8 (N O’Brien 50, G Wilson 27, P Stirling 22, W Porterfield 19, A White 14no; U Bhatti 3-26). Canada won by 4 runs.