Bowlers bail Ireland out of trouble to secure final warmup win

Ireland 127 a.o. (20 overs) (George Dockrell 28; Dipendra Singh 4-21) beat Nepal 111/9 (20 overs) (Dipendra Singh 28; Andy McBrine 2-13) by 16 runs.

Ireland asked plenty of their bowlers and they delivered.

While papering over a few familiar cracks with the bat, it will nonetheless be a significant confidence boost for this side heading into the T20 World Cup qualifiers that they managed to secure victory over potential qualification rival Nepal after being bowled out for just 127.

After being recalled to the side both Barry McCarthy and Andy McBrine shined with economical spells - as did Curtis Campher - while Mark Adair and Simi Singh both picked up two wickets apiece as Nepal were restricted to 111/9, good for a 16 run win.

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If the takeaway from Sunday’s UAE defeat was that Ireland rely on their top three to take command of the innings, then the start to Monday’s match was an ominous one when Paul Stirling was beaten by an impressive Kamal Airee yorker.

Gareth Delany was then dismissed as Jitendra Mukhiya took a sharp return catch off his own bowling, before Andrew Balbirnie saw his timber disturbed by Abinash Bohara off-cutter that kept low.

From there, Campher did connect once off Sandeep Lamichhane to launch the Nepal skipper over deep mid wicket, but an attempted ramp when there wasn’t a lot of pace on offer saw him caught at short fine.

George Dockrell top scored with 28 (22) as his boundaries largely came over the off side but Ireland struggled for any real partnership of note - the largest being one of 31 between Dockrell and Lorcan Tucker.

Captain Balbirnie offered up an honest review of the side’s effort with the bat.

“It was probably our worst batting display in the competition” he admitted, speaking after the match. “It was a good wicket and we weren’t too disappointed to be batting first. We’ll need to have a look at ourselves before the qualifier starts on Friday.”

Dipendra Singh starred with his off-spin, taking four wickets including a stunning diving return catch off Tucker and ending with figures of 4-21.

Nepal looked set for their first T20I win over a full-member nation at the break with a chase of just 128 looming, especially when Singh wasn’t allowed to settle as a pair of maximums were hit early in his spell.

On his return to the side, McCarthy entered the fray with a rare maiden, before returning an over later to punish Kushal Bhurtel’s off-balance ramp attempt by clattering into his leg stump.

From there Nepal stuttered as McBrine - who only arrived in Oman two days ago after recovering from Covid - removed Aasif Sheikh while Adair had Lokesh Bam caught by Dockrell.

Despite scoring on the slow side, given the low chase Nepal always felt in control so long as they had wickets in hand. After reaching 59/3 at the halfway stage, dismissals would really be the only thing that could cost them victory.

That didn’t stop Nepal from putting together a poorly constructed chase. Dipendra Singh was the only one who came close to threatening any sort of match-winning innings but when he slogged McCarthy to Adair in the deep, the game was up.

Despite the capitulation, Ireland deserve plenty of credit. Campher put together his most economical spell of the tour so far, part of a wider effort to do what this Irish attack does best - build pressure and capitalise when the mistake comes. When it did, a welcome return to impeccable form in the field ensured that any chance that was slogged into the deep was taken.

Adair and Singh closed out the win, the former having plenty of success bowling cutters into the pitch while the latter backed his ability to spin the ball both ways to good effect. Four wickets ended up falling in as many overs at the death, ensuring the Irish bowlers did what was asked, showing that they have the ability to win games for this side when runs are not put on the board.

The qualifiers themselves get underway next Friday against the side that beat Ireland in Sunday’s warmup, the UAE, and decisions will need to be made about the bowling attack in particular after Monday’s performances of McCarthy and McBrine, while Craig Young - rested today - has also impressed.

Josh Little of course is still in the squad and despite not being as economical as usual on this tour he has been Ireland’s form T20 bowler over the last few months. He is also the only left-arm seam option.

“McCarthy and McBrine played brilliantly today” reflected Balbirnie. “That’s what we want to build - a competitive squad where when someone comes in they make it difficult for the player who went out to get back in.

“That’s a healthy position to be in, it’ll be a tough selection meeting ahead of the first game in the qualifier, but that’s a good thing to have.”