END OF OVER:20 | 4 Runs 1 Wkt | IRE: 125/7 (13 runs required, RR: 6.25)
- George Dockrell30 (23b)
- Barry McCarthy2 (3b)
- Jeremy Gordon4-0-16-2
- Kaleem Sana4-0-38-0
It could be over for Ireland already. They have lost twice to start the tournament, and sit at the bottom of the points table. And if they hope to push their case, it will need an encore from 2007. The flip side, though, is that USA and Canada have made this World Cup intriguing enough pretty early. Join us for the action tomorrow morning later today, as New Zealand kick off their campaign. Until then, it is goodnight!
NJ Devils: "Group A suddenly becoming Group of Death in two days time :)"
Saad Bin Zafar: "Very proud moment for me as a team. Ireland bowled well and took three wickets, and put us on the rope. Once we got to 137, we knew it was a good total to defend. We needed a good performance from each and everybody. So proud of each and every bowler that they delivered when it mattered. Wanted to go pace upfront, but I saw that the wicket was a bit slow today... It wasn't easy to get under the ball. It's one game - and one day - at a time, and we're going to come strong against Pakistan as well. It's very important [to get that support]. Cricket is growing in the country."
Paul Stirling: "Was a tough loss today. It was certainly gettable. We just need to improve all-round. Hopefully we can show a better game. Huge game [coming up] for us."
Time for the presentations
Nicholas Kirton is the Player of the Match: "It's very good to get over the line. I just tried to get in, and tried to get the pace of the wicket. Played a bit up and down, but it was a very good wicket to bat on - to be honest. The partnership with Movva was very important. Hopefully we can go from strength to strength. Our next focus is Pakistan! Better purchase on offer [on the pitch]. We are just taking it one day at a time."
Mark: "For Ireland, even beating India and Pakistan may not be enough. They are going to need a big NRR boost too. Canada 'only' need to beat one of the two to be in the mix."
Prasanna: "Group A is suddenly looking more competitive and producing interesting games"
1.58pm Two successive days of an Associate team upsetting a Full Member. Almost a justification that having so many teams in the World Cup is about more than just filling up the spots. Give them a chance at the global stage, and they will show you what they can achieve. Canada come from behind to beat Ireland today, even as they were 54 for 4 after being asked to bat. Kirton and Movva the heroes for Canada, whose bowlers never let Ireland settle even in pursuit of a modest score. The seventh-wicket pair fought for Ireland with a 62-run stand, but by then, it was a little too late.
The Canada dugout and fans can't wait to get going...
Binod: "Two upsets in two days! Come on associates!"
McCarthy
MR Adair c & b Gordon 34 (33m 24b 3x4 1x6) SR: 141.66
Raj: "Hope Canada holds their nerves and wins this game!"
Gordon to Adair, as the tension builds up
Ireland need 17 in the final over. These two have already 62 in quick time, but the pressure will be double in these last six balls.
END OF OVER:19 | 11 Runs | IRE: 121/6 (17 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 6.36, RRR: 17.00)
- Mark Adair34 (22b)
- George Dockrell29 (22b)
- Kaleem Sana4-0-38-0
- Dilon Heyliger4-0-18-2
"Am I the only one here cheering for Ireland?" --- I'm sure not, Kelly!
From over the wicket now...
Minhaz : "Come on Canada! Just do slower deliveries"
END OF OVER:18 | 8 Runs | IRE: 110/6 (28 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 6.11, RRR: 14.00)
- George Dockrell28 (21b)
- Mark Adair24 (17b)
- Dilon Heyliger4-0-18-2
- Kaleem Sana3-0-27-0
Ajay: "Seen Dockrell win multiple games from this position before"
Mohit: "Come on Canada.... just one more wicket. Can't be going the Super Over route again"
Heyliger will finish off
END OF OVER:17 | 14 Runs | IRE: 102/6 (36 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 6.00, RRR: 12.00)
- Mark Adair21 (15b)
- George Dockrell23 (17b)
- Kaleem Sana3-0-27-0
- Junaid Siddiqui4-0-27-1
Pawan Bhattarai: "Canada need to hold their nerves for the next 3 overs.."
Sana replaces Heyliger. From around the wicket.
END OF OVER:16 | 14 Runs | IRE: 88/6 (50 runs required from 24 balls, RR: 5.50, RRR: 12.50)
- George Dockrell22 (16b)
- Mark Adair8 (10b)
- Junaid Siddiqui4-0-27-1
- Dilon Heyliger3-0-10-2