ICC World Twenty20 Update 1

Kevin O’Brien bowled very well but Oman secured a thrilling two-wicket win against Ireland in the ICC World Twenty20 opener in Dharamsala.

Ireland elected to bat and scored 154-5 with contributions coming throughout the batting order. Gary Wilson top-scored with 38 (off 34 balls) after openers Will Porterfield and Paul Stirling each made 29.

Leicestershire duo Niall O’Brien (16 off 11) and Kevin O’Brien (14 off 12) also chipped in alongside Andrew Poynter (11 not out off 10) and Andy McBrine, who scored an unbeaten 10 off just three deliveries.

Oman got off to a decent start but Ireland kept themselves in the game. Kevin O’Brien (4-0-25-2) took the first two wickets to fall, those of openers Khawar Ali (34) and Zeeshan Maqsood (38), as Oman slipped from 69 without loss in the 9^th over to 90-5 after 14.

A 47-run stand between Jatinder Singh (24) and Amir Ali (32) allowed Oman to regroup and although Boyd Rankin bowled an excellent penultimate over, in which only four runs were scored, Oman registered the 14 runs that were required off the last over.

Ireland now face a crucial game against a Bangladesh side who edged past Netherlands in their first match. With only one team progressing to the tournament proper, a lot is at stake in Friday's fixture.

* Scotland lost a close opening game in Group B to Afghanistan by 14 runs on Tuesday. After winning the toss, Afghanistan put 170-5 on the board thanks in large to half-centuries from Mohammad Shahzad and Asghar Stanikzai.

Although Scotland got off to a flying start thanks to openers George Munsey (41 off 29) and Kyle Coetzer (40 off 27) sharing 84 in 8.5 overs, Afghanistan didn’t panic. They bowled tightly after breaking the stand and the run rate escalated quickly.

Scotland’s next game is against Zimbabwe on Thursday (March 10). Their opponents started the tournament with a 14-run success against Hong Kong.