The first match of the final day of the qualifying matches for 2022 T20 World Cup was played between Ireland and West Indies. The other game of the day was to be played between Zimbabwe and Scotland at the Bellerive Oval at Hobart on Friday. What transpired was anyone beyond anyone’s belief.
The story as it happened –
The equation for Group B of qualifications was simple as all the 4 teams, West Indies, Ireland, Scotland and Zimbabwe were on 2 points. The two teams which win on Friday will go through to the Super 12 stage of the tournament which begins on Saturday. The winner of Group B will head to the 2nd including India, Pakistan and South Africa. While the 2nd placed team goes into the group with Australia, England, New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
Odean Smith’s error cost West Indies dear –
Ireland were 107 for 1 still needing 41 runs to win the match with 9 overs to go. Smith bowled a short ball to Tucker who pulled it and offered an easy return catch to the pacer. Smith thought he had a wicket to his name but was shocked to find that the ball was called a no-ball, giving Ireland a free hit.
— Richard (@Richard10719932) October 21, 2022
Brandon King leads West Indies to 146-
West Indies won the toss and chose to bat first, as Kyle Mayers was out early for just 1. Johnson Charles was out next as he went for 24 after striking some lusty blows. Evin Lewis and Brandon King then added 44 for the 3rd wicket before Lewis was out for 13 off 18 balls. Pooran with 13 and Smith with 19 were the other run getters for West Indies.
Brandon King was the top scorer for West Indies with unbeaten 62 off 46 balls with 6 fours and a six. The right hander held fort as wickets fell at the other end and kept going on with his innings and scoring runs. This knock enabled West Indies to score 146 on the board.
Ireland crush West Indies to register an easy win –
Chasing 147 to win, Ireland opened with Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie as the pair were quick of the blocks. Captain Balbirnie scored 37 off 23 balls to give early impetus to the Irish team. The first wicket stand of 73 came in just 45 balls as Ireland were scoring well over 10 runs per over. The sole wicket was picked by Akeal Hossein as Paul Stirling and Lorcan Tucker joined forces.
Stirling scored 66 off 48 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes as the burly opener swayed the West Indian bowlers to all parts of the ground. Tucker was not out on 46 off 35 balls with 2 fours and 2 sixes. It was Tucker who hit the winning runs to have the Ireland fans jumping for joy as they qualified for the main stage of the tournament for the first time since the 2009 T20 World Cup.