Canada have beaten Ireland by 12 runs on a sluggish Nassau County pitch to notch up a memorable 12-run victory at match 13 of ICC T20 World Cup 2024 on Friday (June 7). The game was played at the very same venue that will also host the iconic, India vs Pakistan, on Sunday, June 9. (As It Happened | Scorecard | Full Coverage)
Asked to bat first, Canada struggled to force the pace until Barbadian-born Nicholas Kirton threw caution to the wind and lifted them to a fighting 137 for seven.
Kirton blazed away to a 35-ball 49 and wicketkeeper Shreyas Movva chipped in with 37 in 36 deliveries as the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium saw 100 being crossed for the first time in the tournament.
In reply, Ireland too went past the three-figure mark but fell short of the 138-run target set by Canada, ending at 125 for seven.
George Dockrell (30 not out) and Mark Adair (34 off 24 balls) revived Ireland's prospects with their excellent partnership of 62 runs, but they couldn't see their team through.
While Canada earned two crucial points to move third position in the points table in Group A, Ireland dropped below Pakistan to the fifth and last spot with second defeat on the trot.
Group A is starting to shape up nicely post this result. India play Pakistan on the same venue on January 9, Sunday. As for the Irish, their next game is against the in-form USA on June 14.
Canada play Pakistan on June 11 and this could really be the one to watch out as the loser of this match will virtually be out of the Super 8s race, if Babar Azam's men manage to upstage India.
(With PTI inputs)
