Cricket:Ireland will go into the play-offs at the World Twenty20 qualifiers in buoyant mood after completing a sixth straight victory today by beating Oman by 46 runs at the Sheikh Zayed stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Led by a knock of 52 off 38 deliveries from the in-form Gary Wilson, Ireland posted a score of 160 for five after winning the toss. There were also good contributions from Paul Stirling (35 off 29) and Kevin O'Brien (32 off 16).
It was a total that was always going to be beyond Oman, although opener Jatinder Singh batted through the innings to finish unbeaten on 56 not out. The wickets were spread amongst the four seamers who bowled, with Max Sorensen and O'Brien picking up two apiece, while Nigel Jones and Boyd Rankin took one each as Oman were restricted to 116 for six.
With Namibia beating Italy to complete a clean sweep in Group B, Ireland will now play Canada in their first play-off game on Thursday.
SCORES
Ireland160-5 (20 ovs) (G Wilson 52no, P Stirling 35, K O'Brien 32, A White 14no; R Ranpura 2-24, Z Siddiqui 2-26).
Oman116-6 (20 ovs) (J Singh 56no; M Sorensen 2-20, K O'Brien 2-29).
Ireland won by 44 runs.
