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IRE beat NIG by 8 wickets | Ireland vs Nigeria, Highlights And Cricket Score 35th T20 Match - Commentary
ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier, 2019
Date: Oct 26, 2019 Start Time: 11:30 IST | 06:00 GMT | 10:00 LocalVenue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
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Ireland vs Nigeria Highlights And Cricket Score 35th Match - T20 Commentary
'Ireland will win in 7 overs,' chides my colleague. Can Nigeria give some fight with the ball? At least take a wicket or two? Drag the game into the 10th over or beyond? The run chase is not far away...
Craig Young says that it feels really good to take a 4-fer, that too, in front of the cameras. Says that a lot of hard work has gone into the results. On the advice given by the bowling coach, Young says that he was told not to go too hard searching for the swing and just try and bowl it in the right areas. Stresses that he is ready to do whatever the team asks of him.
Perfect outing for Ireland. They utilized the grass on the deck, or whatever was available and landed the ball in the right areas. Kept the ball pretty straight, which is evident from the fact that as many as 5 batsmen were dismissed bowled. Every bowler enjoyed his outing but Craig Young enjoyed the most, with a 4-fer. Here he is, giving an interview.
Right. Not quite what Nigeria would have wanted, after electing to bat. They played out all the 20 overs but did not even manage 100. Just 66, with 2 batsmen reaching double figures and the highest score being 19. The batsmen had no clue about swing or pace and only seemed comfortable when the spinners were on.
Mark Adair to Sesan Adedeji. Short and wide outside off, Sesan leaps and looks to punch it over the top. Just about manages to clear the infield. The batsmen think about the second but take only the single. 66/9 IS ALL WHAT NIGERIA HAVE MANAGED.
Mark Adair to Sesan Adedeji. Landed outside off, Adedeji backs away to slash but misses.
Mark Adair to Chima Akachukwu. The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. One run added to the total.
Mark Adair to Chima Akachukwu. Full and down the leg side, Akachukwu looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads.
Mark Adair to Chima Akachukwu. The batsman gets an inside edge and the ball hits him on the pads.
Mark Adair to Chima Akachukwu. Outside off, Akachukwu punches it through point. Comes back for the second and almost runs straight into the throw! Wilson was trying to warn him to be away but the advice was paid no heed. Luckily for him, the throw just misses his head.
Craig Young to Sesan Adedeji. IN THE AIR... JUST SHORT! Almost a 5-fer for Young. Full and outside off, Sesan looks to push but the ball flies off the surface, catches the batsman by surprises, hits the top of the bat and goes towards short extra cover. George Dockrell comes charging in but the ball lands just in front! End of a sensational bowling inning for Young - 4-0-13-4.
Craig Young to Sesan Adedeji. A bouncer outside off, Adedeji ducks.
Who is left? Chima Akachukwu is the number 11 batsman.
Craig Young to Vincent Adewoye. OUT! CAUGHT! Wicket number 4 for Young and second wicket in the space of 3 balls! A length ball outside off, Adewoye looks to heave it to the off side but gets a top edge. It has gone nowhere as George Dockrell at short extra cover comes running in and takes it around his face. Can Young get a 5-fer?
Craig Young to Vincent Adewoye. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.
Vincent Adewoye comes in at number 10, replacing Sylvester Okpe.
Craig Young to Sylvester Okpe. OUT! BOWLED! The off stump takes a beating. That is the fifth batsman getting bowled today! Full and around off, Okpe looks to defend but the ball straightens a touch, beats the outside edge and sends the off stump flying. Third wicket for Young.
Craig Young to Sesan Adedeji. Full and outside off, Adedeji looks to drive but the ball takes the outside edge. Third man is very fine, so it will just be a single.
Mark Adair to Sylvester Okpe. Full and outside off, SO looks to cut but misses again.
Mark Adair to Sylvester Okpe. Landed outside off, Sylvester looks to run it down to third man but misses.
Mark Adair to Sesan Adedeji. Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a run.
Mark Adair to Sylvester Okpe. Landed outside off, Okpe looks to run it down to third man but gets a thick outside edge. The ball lands in front of the keeper who cannot quite collect it cleanly. It deflects off his body to the leg side and the batsmen scamper through for a quick single.
Mark Adair to Sylvester Okpe. Outside off, a play and a miss.
Sylvester Okpe comes in at number 9, replacing Oyede.
Mark Adair to Leke Oyede. OUT! BOWLED! Don't think one can bowl a better yorker than that. Perfectly angled, targetting the leg stump, Oyede is beaten by the swing, cannot get his bat down in time, it is too quick for him. The leg stump takes a cartwheel.
Mark Adair is back on. 2-1-4-1 so far.
Craig Young to Sesan Adedeji. Short and outside off, Adedeji hops and looks to play the upper cut but is beaten due to the extra bounce.
Craig Young to Leke Oyede. Around off, worked towards short mid-wicket for a single.
Craig Young to Leke Oyede. Outside off, on a length, Oyede looks to defend but is beaten on the outside edge.
Craig Young to Leke Oyede. Full and outside off, solidly defended towards cover.
Leke Oyede walks in at number 8, replacing Okpe.
Craig Young to Isaac Okpe. OUT! BOWLED! Outfoxed by the lack of pace. A length ball, in line of the stumps, Okpe backs away again, attempting a similar shot to the previous one, aiming to go over the bowler but goes a touch too early. Misses as the ball comes very slowly, goes past the bat and hits the middle stump. End of a decent looking partnership, worth 24.
Craig Young to Isaac Okpe. Landed outside off, Okpe backs away and smacks it over the bowler. Then, just stands over there and admires his shot. Then, realizes that the ball will not go to the boundary and starts running. Two runs taken.
Craig Young returns. 2-0-9-1 so far.
George Dockrell to Sesan Adedeji. A short ball, down the leg side, Okpe looks to pull but misses and is hit on the pads. Wilson tries to collect but fumbles and takes it on the bounce. 4-0-16-1 for Dockrell.
George Dockrell to Isaac Okpe. Landed outside off, pushed towards point.
George Dockrell to Isaac Okpe. Outside off, Isaac looks to punch but gets a bottom edge which just misses the stumps and goes to short fine leg.
George Dockrell to Isaac Okpe. Short and outside off once more, Okpe gives himself room to the leg side and punches it through the covers. Stuart Thompson from long off gets across to his left and slides, stopping the ball. Two runs taken.
George Dockrell to Sesan Adedeji. Short again, Adedeji swivels and pulls it past Paul Stirling at short fine leg for a single towards long leg.
George Dockrell to Sesan Adedeji. Short and outside off, slapped wide of long off for a couple. Good piece of running.
Boyd Rankin to Isaac Okpe. Full and around off, well blocked out. Rankin is done - 4-1-10-0. Superb effort.
Boyd Rankin to Sesan Adedeji. Short and wide outside off, Adedeji throws his bat at it, looking to cut, but gets a thick outside edge down to third man. Does not carry. A single taken. 50 UP FOR NIGERIA! It has been some achievement.
Boyd Rankin to Isaac Okpe. Landed around off, pushed towards point for a single.
Boyd Rankin to Isaac Okpe. Around off, pushed towards mid on.
Boyd Rankin to Isaac Okpe. TOP EDGE, FOUR! Not gone where he intended to. A short ball outside off, Okpe looks to pull but the ball bounces extra, takes the top edge and goes over the keeper to the third man fence, beating third man!
Boyd Rankin to Isaac Okpe. Landed outside off, pushed straight to point.
George Dockrell to Sesan Adedeji. Nicely bowled, outside off, tossed up, defended from the crease.
George Dockrell to Sesan Adedeji. A short ball, outside off, pulled straight to short mid-wicket.
George Dockrell to Sesan Adedeji. Around off, blocked from the crease.
George Dockrell to Isaac Okpe. Full and outside off, pushed through the covers for a run.
George Dockrell to Sesan Adedeji. Full and outside off, Adedeji gets down and pulls it through square leg for a single.
George Dockrell to Sesan Adedeji. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
George Dockrell is back into the attack. 2-0-8-1 so far.
Boyd Rankin to Isaac Okpe. Landed outside off, watchfully left alone.
Boyd Rankin to Sesan Adedeji. Full and around middle, worked through square leg, off the inside edge for a single.
Boyd Rankin to Sesan Adedeji. Back of a length around off, Sesan stays back to defend.
Boyd Rankin to Sesan Adedeji. Landed outside off, Adedeji slashes hard but misses.
Boyd Rankin to Sesan Adedeji. Landed outside off, played straight to point.
Boyd Rankin to Sesan Adedeji. Around off, on a length, pushed back down the track.
Boyd Rankin returns. 2-1-3-0 so far.
Gareth Delany to Isaac Okpe. Short and wide outside off, Delany gets away with it. Okpe cuts it hard but Kevin O'Brien at short cover does well to get a hand to it. He parries it behind and the batsmen take a couple. 4-0-17-1 for Gareth Delany today.
Gareth Delany to Isaac Okpe. Full and around middle, pushed back to the bowler.
Gareth Delany to Isaac Okpe. Down the leg side, Okpe misses his flick and is hit on the pads.
Gareth Delany to Isaac Okpe. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
Gareth Delany to Isaac Okpe. Outside off, pushed straight to point.
Gareth Delany to Isaac Okpe. Around off, defended from the crease.
Gareth Delany is bowling out. 3-0-15-1 so far.
Craig Young to Sesan Adedeji. FOUR! That is a terrific shot. Full and outside off, swinging in, Adedeji looks to flick, loses his balance but still flicks it over mid-wicket!
Craig Young to Isaac Okpe. Outside off, pushed through point for a run.
Craig Young to Isaac Okpe. Around off, solidly defended.
Isaac Okpe walks in at number 7, replacing Onwuzulike.
Craig Young to Chimezie Onwuzulike. OUT! BOWLED! A length ball outside off, Onwuzulike looks to just play a heave but there is no feet movement. The ball stays a touch low, takes the inside edge and shatters the woodwork behind. Half the side down.
Craig Young to Sesan Adedeji. Landed outside off, Adedeji pushes it towards point and scampers across for a quick single. Harry Tector charges across to his right from backward point, gets to the ball, picks it up and has a shy at the bowler's end. Misses but the batsman was well in.
Craig Young to Sesan Adedeji. Full and outside off, driven towards mid off.
George Dockrell to Chimezie Onwuzulike. Full and outside off, Chimezie brings out a soft reverse sweep. Why soft? Because there is no power in it. There is no short third man and by the time backward point can get there, two runs are taken.
George Dockrell to Sesan Adedeji. Around middle, tucked through square leg for a run.
George Dockrell to Chimezie Onwuzulike. Outside off, punched through the covers for a single.
George Dockrell to Chimezie Onwuzulike. On the helmet again! Full and around off, Onwuzulike looks to sweep but misses and is hit on the grille of the helmet. The batsman smiles, the umpire asks him whether he is fine and signals a thumbs to the physio, asking him to stay where he is.
George Dockrell to Sesan Adedeji. Full and around middle, worked through square leg for a single.
George Dockrell to Sesan Adedeji. Landed around middle, watchfully defended.
Craig Young to Sesan Adedeji. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. They pick up a single.
Craig Young to Chimezie Onwuzulike. Around off, worked through square leg for a single.
Here comes the mandatory concussion check. Onwuzulike looks okay though. The physio is happy and off he goes. We are ready to resume.
Craig Young to Chimezie Onwuzulike. ON THE HELMET! A short ball outside off, a sharp bouncer, Chimezie looks to pull but misses. The ball goes off his helmet towards point.
Craig Young to Chimezie Onwuzulike. Landed on a length outside off, pushed towards backward point. The batsmen think about the single but Kevin O'Brien puts in a superb slide to his left. That makes the batsmen change their minds.
Craig Young to Sesan Adedeji. Full and outside off, watchfully pushed towards cover for a single.
Craig Young to Sesan Adedeji. And almost strikes straightaway. Full and wide outside off, Adedeji looks to play an expansive drive but misses.
Craig Young to bowl now.
George Dockrell to Sesan Adedeji. Around off, worked through square leg for a single to get off the mark.
George Dockrell to Sesan Adedeji. Close shave! Outside off, Adedeji looks to defend but misses and is hit on the pads. Gary Wilson appeals for LBW but there was a big inside edge there.
Sesan Adedeji walks in at number 6, replacing his skipper.
George Dockrell to Ademola Onikoyi. OUT! Caught! A catching drill. Full and around middle, Onikoyi gets down to paddle but all he musters is a simple scoop to Paul Stirling at short fine leg. This is just going from bad to worse. Ireland are not even celebrating. Nigeria are 24/4!
George Dockrell to Chimezie Onwuzulike. Outside off, pushed straight to cover.
George Dockrell to Ademola Onikoyi. Full and straight again, pushed down to long on for a single.
George Dockrell to Ademola Onikoyi. Full and around middle, watchfully pushed towards short mid-wicket.
George Dockrell to bowl his left-arm spin.
Boyd Rankin to Chimezie Onwuzulike. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. A maiden for Rankin, whose figures read 2-1-3-0.
Boyd Rankin to Chimezie Onwuzulike. A short ball outside off, Onwuzulike looks to pull but misses and is hit on the back.
Boyd Rankin to Chimezie Onwuzulike. A short ball, down the leg side, Onwuzulike looks to pull but misses. Strangely, no wide signalled.
Boyd Rankin to Chimezie Onwuzulike. DROPPED! Full and outside off, hammered straight back. Rankin sticks his left hand out but cannot hang on. The ball is parried it to cover.
Boyd Rankin to Chimezie Onwuzulike. Outside off, pushed straight to cover.
Boyd Rankin to Chimezie Onwuzulike. Full and outside off, Onwuzulike looks to slog but misses.
Boyd Rankin to bowl again. 1-0-3-0 so far.
Gareth Delany to Ademola Onikoyi. LBW shout, but turned down. Two noises perhaps? Tossed up around middle, AO looks to play the slog but misses and is hit on the pads. Not quite sure whether there was an inside edge but it seemed to be going down leg. 22/3 in the Powerplay for Nigeria.
Gareth Delany to Ademola Onikoyi. Around middle and leg, cramping the batsman for room, pushed back to the bowler.
Gareth Delany to Ademola Onikoyi. FOUR! Too full again and is punished again! Outside off, comes with a touch of width as well, Ademola gets under it and lofts it over extra cover!
Gareth Delany to Ademola Onikoyi. Corrects his length, does Delany, landing it short of full, the skipper punches it towards short extra cover.
Gareth Delany to Ademola Onikoyi. FOUR! Nice shot. Full and outside off, too full perhaps, Onikoyi gets under it and lofts it over mid off!
Gareth Delany to Chimezie Onwuzulike. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads for a single.
Mark Adair to Ademola Onikoyi. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover. A WICKET MAIDEN FOR ADAIR!
Mark Adair to Ademola Onikoyi. Outside off, Onikoyi looks to cut but gets a bottom edge which bounces, goes past the stumps and into the keeper's gloves.
Mark Adair to Ademola Onikoyi. Outside off, fuller in length, Onikoyi looks to punch but misses.
Ademola Onikoyi, the captain, comes on to bat at number 5, replacing Gim.
Mark Adair to Daniel Gim. OUT! Caught behind! Nigeria are in a sorry state now. Landed outside off, Gim looks to drive this on the up but the ball moves away, takes the outside edge and the keeper does the rest.
Mark Adair to Daniel Gim. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
Mark Adair to Daniel Gim. Around off, pushed back to the bowler.
Mark Adair comes back on. 1-0-4-0 so far.
Gareth Delany to Chimezie Onwuzulike. A lovely inswinging yorker, around middle, dug out back to the bowler.
Gareth Delany to Chimezie Onwuzulike. That ball has taken the inside edge onto the pads.
Chimezie Onwuzulike comes on.
Gareth Delany to Sulaimon Runsewe. OUT! RUN OUT! Total mix-up. Around middle, Runsewe paddles it towards backward square leg. Now, fine leg is deep and the batsmen think that a second is on. But it isn't. George Dockrell comes charging in from fine leg and returns a sharp throw to the keeper who whips the bails off. Runsewe dives in but is late.
Gareth Delany to Sulaimon Runsewe. Full and around off, Runsewe gets down and paddles it fine for a couple.
Gareth Delany to Daniel Gim. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. They pick up a single.
Gareth Delany to Daniel Gim. Slowly bowled, but angling down the leg side, the batsman misses his flick and is hit on the pads. There is a mild appeal for LBW but it is turned down.
Gareth Delany to Daniel Gim. WIDE. Down the leg side, flick shot missed.
Boyd Rankin to Sulaimon Runsewe. The batsman has punched that ball through the off side.
Boyd Rankin to Sulaimon Runsewe. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.
Boyd Rankin to Sulaimon Runsewe. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
Boyd Rankin to Sulaimon Runsewe. Short and outside off, cut through point for a couple.
Boyd Rankin to Sulaimon Runsewe. Around off, defended to the off side.
Boyd Rankin to Sulaimon Runsewe. WIDE. Full and down the leg side, Runsewe looks to flick but misses.
Boyd Rankin to Sulaimon Runsewe. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
Boyd Rankin comes on to bowl now.
Gareth Delany to Daniel Gim. Punched off the back foot by the batsman.
Daniel Gim arrives at number 3, replacing Ajekun.
Gareth Delany to Daniel Ajekun. OUT! Chopped on! Landed outside off, Ajekun looks to cut but gets a bottom edge which knocks the off stump out of the ground! Early strike for Ireland.
Gareth Delany to Daniel Ajekun. On middle and leg, worked towards square leg.
Gareth Delany to Daniel Ajekun. Outside off, punched straight to cover.
Gareth Delany to Sulaimon Runsewe. On middle and leg, flicked towards square leg for a single.
Gareth Delany to Sulaimon Runsewe. Outside off, punched straight to cover.
Gareth Delany to share the new ball with Adair.
Mark Adair to Daniel Ajekun. EDGED, NO ONE THERE! Full and around off, Ajekun looks to drive but misses and gets a thick outside edge, which flies past first slip towards third man! Two runs taken.
Mark Adair to Daniel Ajekun. Short and outside off, cut straight to point.
Mark Adair to Daniel Ajekun. Full and around off, Ajekun looks to flick but misses and gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.
Mark Adair to Daniel Ajekun. Short and outside off, cut through point for a couple. Nigeria are underway!
Mark Adair to Daniel Ajekun. Outside off, driven towards mid off.
Mark Adair to Daniel Ajekun. Full on middle, flicked towards short mid-wicket.
The players are out in the middle. Mark Adair to start off proceedings. Daniel Ajekun and Sulaimon Runsewe to open for Kenya. Ajekun to take strike. Here we go...
PITCH REPORT - Bazid Khan observes that the pitch is the same one as used for the Canada-Oman game. Feels that since this is a day match, the ball will not skid onto the bat. Feels that the track is good for batting, so change of pace is key.
Wilson says that he was looking to bowl anyway and now, aims to dismiss Nigeria to as low a total as possible. Is not too focussed on improving the net run rate and just believes to play good cricket. Has a look at the wicket and he too, like Onikoyi, believes that the track will not change much.
Nigerian captain says that the wicket plays almost the same, so he would like to bat and enjoy the conditions. In spite of being knocked out, he says that it is a big stage and are still enjoying competing here. Would want to end the tournament with a couple of wins.
Ireland (Playing XI) - Gary Wilson(C AND WK), Paul Stirling, Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Kevin O'Brien, Boyd Rankin, Harry Tector, Stuart Thompson (IN FOR DAVID DELANY) and Craig Young.
Nigeria (Playing XI) - Daniel Ajekun, Sulaimon Runsewe, Chimezie Onwuzulike, Ademola Onikoyi(C AND WK), Sesan Adedeji, Isaac Okpe (IN FOR ABIODUN ABIOYE), Leke Oyede, Daniel Gim, Sylvester Okpe, Vincent Adewoye and Chima Akachukwu.
TOSS - NIGERIA HAVE WON THE TOSS AND ELECTED TO BAT FIRST.
Ireland's previous win against Jersey was a massive one and they will aim for a repeat today. Nigeria have not got anything going for them so far - but with their tournament done and with nothing to lose, they can aim to be party spoilers and get something for themselves in their final two games.
We are approaching the dying stages of the league stage with two days left for the teams to stake a claim for the playoffs. Nigeria, sadly, are out of reckoning but Ireland have plenty to play for. Hello and a warm welcome to match number 35 of the ICC WT20 Qualifiers, 2019, between Ireland and Nigeria in Abu Dhabi.
Okay. That was a quick finish. Plenty of time left for the second match of the day, between Bermuda and Netherlands in Dubai at 2.10 pm local (1010 GMT). Should be another one-sider. Do come back and join.
Victorious Ireland captain, Gary Wilson, says that for now, Ireland are on top but they will keep a close eye on Oman's game on Sunday. Praises his side for being ruthless today and also praises Nigeria for fighting, saying further that they will improve gradually. On his team's position, Gary is happy with his unit's performance in the last 2 games. Is looking forward to Tuesday. On being asked about injuries in his side, Wilson says that David Delany has pulled up with a sore knee, so he will be assessed over the next 24 hours.
Nigerian captain, Ademola Onikoyi, says that this is all a learning curve. Hopes that the players learn from this tournament, stay positive and work harder. On being asked about the positives, the skipper says that landing the ball in the right areas is a positive. Believes that his young unit is working hard and will give its best on Sunday.
CRAIG YOUNG HAS BEEN NAMED THE MAN OF THE MATCH. Young says that there was something on the wicket and he just tried to make the use of it. On being the 5th seamer to be given the ball to, Young says that that is the quality of the Ireland attack, as there are plenty of seamers to choose from. Is happy to see Ireland top the group stage.
Chasing 67 in 9 overs was the target for Ireland to top the group and that never looked in threat right from the start. Their bowlers had set up the win, making good use of the juice on the track early in the morning. It was a 10 am start, so perhaps Nigeria should have elected to bowl first. No use in thinking about bygones. Here comes the presentation...
37 balls. That is all what the run chase has lasted for. The Irish batsmen came out all guns blazing. No one had any interest to stay in the middle and just went hard on the bowlers. They had to win this game inside 9 overs to top the group and they achieved that easily. But that is for now. If Oman win on Sunday, they go on top. But the Irish have done all that they could.
Chima Akachukwu to Gareth Delany. MATCH OVER! Full and down the leg side, Delany looks to flick but misses and the ball goes off his pads behind. The keeper runs after it but by that time, three leg byes are taken. That is it. IRELAND WIN BY 8 WICKETS AND 83 BALLS TO SPARE!
Chima Akachukwu returns. 1-0-8-0 so far.
Daniel Ajekun to Mark Adair. Nope. Full and outside off, pushed back to the bowler. 64/2 IN THE POWERPLAY FOR IRELAND, just 3 needed.
Daniel Ajekun to Mark Adair. FOUR! Full and wide outside off, Adair throws his bat at it and gets it between cover and point. Will this end in the Powerplay itself?
Daniel Ajekun to Mark Adair. Fantastic running by the youngster. Mark punches it wide of long off, calls for two and charges back for the second.
Daniel Ajekun to Mark Adair. FOUR! That is brilliantly timed. The first ball he faces and he has dispatched that. On a length outside off, Adair just punches it wide of long on and the ball races away.
Mark Adair walks in at number 4, replacing O'Brien.
Daniel Ajekun to Kevin O'Brien. OUT! BOWLED! Another wicket for Nigeria. Full and outside off, O'Brien looks to drive but the ball spins in, goes between bat and pad and shatters the stumps.
Daniel Ajekun to Kevin O'Brien. Around off, worked straight to short mid-wicket.
Daniel Ajekun to bowl now. 6th bowler in the 6th over.
Sylvester Okpe to Gareth Delany. The batsman dances down the track but decides to defend it. 12 from this over as well, 40 from the last 3 overs!
Sylvester Okpe to Kevin O'Brien. Full and outside off, KOB looks to drive but gets a thick outside edge which goes behind to point. A run taken.
Sylvester Okpe to Kevin O'Brien. Again, it is too full and too wide outside off, Kevin reaches out and looks to go over cover but slices it over the infield. One fielder runs after it, gets to the ball, parries it back to the backup fielder but the latter misses it. The ball goes far and there is a third run available, with Delany charging down, but O'Brien is not the least bit interested. In fact, he has not even looked at what has happened on the field. Clearly, he wants the strike.
Sylvester Okpe to Kevin O'Brien. FOUR! Too wide and too full, outside off, O'Brien throws his bat at it and carves it over point. Does not have enough strength but manages to trickle into the ropes. 50 UP FOR IRELAND IN 4.3 OVERS.
Sylvester Okpe to Kevin O'Brien. FOUR! Just toying with the bowlers at the moment. Full and around middle, O'Brien gets down on a knee and slog sweeps it over mid-wicket.
Sylvester Okpe to Gareth Delany. Full and around off, pushed towards long on for a single.
Sylvester Okpe to bowl his first over. 5th bowler in the 5th over.
Daniel Gim to Kevin O'Brien. FOUR! Lot of power in that shot. Full and straight, O'Brien hammers it straight back over the bowler for a boundary! 12 from the over, 28 from the last 2.
Daniel Gim to Gareth Delany. Landed around off, pushed towards cover for one.
Daniel Gim to Kevin O'Brien. Outside off, Gareth looks to push but the ball comes in, takes the inside edge and goes towards mid-wicket.
Daniel Gim to Gareth Delany. Full and wide outside off, driven through the covers for a run.
Daniel Gim to Kevin O'Brien. Full and around off, worked through mid-wicket for a single.
Daniel Gim to Kevin O'Brien. FOUR! A hat-trick of boundaries for Ireland. In fact, 5th boundary scored in the last 7 balls. Short and wide outside off, Delany stands tall and punches it through the covers.
Daniel Gim comes on to bowl now. 4th bowler in the 4th over. The keeper is upto the stumps.
Isaac Okpe to Gareth Delany. FOUR! 16 from the over! A high full toss outside off, Delany reaches out and places it between point and cover! Big over for Ireland.
Isaac Okpe to Gareth Delany. FOUR! Short and wide outside off, this is cracked through point for the third boundary of the over.
Isaac Okpe to Gareth Delany. Outside off, Delany looks to run it down to third man but misses.
Gareth Delany comes in at number 3, replacing Ireland.
Isaac Okpe to Paul Stirling. OUT! EDGED AND CAUGHT THIS TIME! Luck smiles on Isaac Okpe at last. The first two balls resulted in two edges, but neither went to hand. This one does. Full and outside off, Stirling looks to drive hard but the ball swings away, takes the outside edge and the keeper, Ademola Onikoyi, does the rest. Something to smile, for Nigeria.
Isaac Okpe to Paul Stirling. EDGED AGAIN, FOUR AGAIN! The Nigerians are all smiles. Looks like they have attended a discourse from a religious person before entering the field. Else, given the day they have had so far, it would not have been possible to smile over frustration. Outside off, Stirling looks to pull but the ball takes the inside edge and goes past the off stump to the fine leg fence!
Isaac Okpe to Paul Stirling. EDGED, FOUR! Full and wide outside off, Stirling throws the kitchen sink at it but there is no feet movement. The ball takes the outside edge and flies through the vacant slip cordon, past the diving wicket-keeper to the third man fence.
Isaac Okpe comes on to bowl.
Chima Akachukwu to Paul Stirling. A bit too straight, whipped through mid-wicket for one.
Chima Akachukwu to Kevin O'Brien. Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a run.
Chima Akachukwu to Kevin O'Brien. FOUR! Landed wide outside off, O'Brien reaches out and carves it over the infield. Three men chase after it but the ball trickles into the ropes.
Chima Akachukwu to Paul Stirling. On middle, pushed down to long on for a single.
Chima Akachukwu to Paul Stirling. IN THE AIR AND DROPPED! Full and wide outside off, Stirling reaches out to drive but hits it straight to point. The fielder looks to catch it but cannot hang on.
Chima Akachukwu to Kevin O'Brien. Full and outside off, O'Brien lofts it nonchalantly over cover. Just a single, as there is protection in the deep.
Just to give perspective - This is the joint lowest score by a team, which has faced all its 20 overs in a T20I. Cayman Islands had scored 66/9 against USA in Sandys Parish (Bermuda) in August 2019. Here comes CHIMA AKACHUKWU.
Vincent Adewoye to Paul Stirling. Outside off, punched towards cover.
Vincent Adewoye to Kevin O'Brien. Outside off, pushed to point for a single.
Vincent Adewoye to Kevin O'Brien. Punched off the back foot by the batsman.
Vincent Adewoye to Kevin O'Brien. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.
Vincent Adewoye to Kevin O'Brien. FOUR! Help yourself. Not a soul on the leg side in the deep and Adewoye bowls around leg stump. A gentle full toss at that, O'Brien flicks it through mid-wicket.
Vincent Adewoye to Paul Stirling. Almost a return catch first ball! Full and around off, swinging in, Stirling looks to play straight but the ball flies off the face of the bat, back towards the bowler. Adewoye leaps to his right, stretching his hand, but the ball escapes him down to mid on. A single taken.
The players are back out in the middle. How long will this last? Kevin O'Brien and Paul Stirling stride out to the middle to open for the Irish. Vincent Adewoye to start off proceedings with the ball. Stirling to face. Here we go then...