T20 World Cup Qualifier: Ireland ease past Hong Kong by eight wickets in opener
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Ireland ease past Hong Kong was assisted by the unbeaten 70 of andrew Balbirnie at Abu Dhabi with eight wickets in their first game of the T20 World Cup Qualifier.
153-5 was forced by hong Kong off their 20 overs, Kinchit Shah scoring 79 off 54 balls and Mark Adair taking 2-22.
Ireland attained to spare, Balbirnies innings being backed up by Paul Stirling, who left 62.
Their next Group B match is at 16:30 BST contrary to the United Arab Emirates on Saturday.
Ireland and fixtures from Jersey, Canada, Oman and Nigeria will then play to complete the group phase of the tournament.
They need to finish in their group of seven in the top four areas to stay in contention for qualification.
Top place will secure qualification in Australia at the T20 World Cup finals of the next year.
With Stuart Thompson, Gareth Delany and David Delany carrying a wicket apiece in service of Adair, A third-wicket venture of 60 assisted Hong Kong to their total.
Ireland were 10-1 in reply when Kevin OBrien was conducted out for a duck but the innings off 36 balls, including eight fours and two sixes of Stirling, got their response back on track before he was caught off the bowling of Aizaz Khan.
Balbirnie watched Ireland house in the business of Harry Tector, who ended 21 not out.
Ireland trainer Joe Schmidt created a reputation for attention – since former All Blacks lock Jarrad Hoeata recalls.
Team information, stats and things they stated as Ireland confront holders New Zealand in Saturdays World Cup quarter-final at Tokyo.
Cargin director Damian Cassidy is currently advocating his Antrim SFC champions to produce the most of their chance.
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