Ireland lose Netherlands T20 despite Simi Singh heroics

Stunning 57 off 29 balls not enough to chase down target of 144 in Rotterdam opener

Simi Singh’s late unbeaten 57 on his T20 debut was not enough as Ireland fell just short of their victory chase in a four-run defeat to the Netherlands in their Tri-Series match at Rotterdam.

The Dutch had posted 144 from 19.5 overs, captain Pieter Seelaar top-scoring with 36.

Ireland, though, looked set to be heading towards a comprehensive defeat at 63 for seven before India-born all-rounder Singh, who had earlier claimed three wickets, got them right back into the game as he struck three sixes and four fours in his 29-ball innings.

But needing six off the final delivery, Singh could only get a single.

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Stuart Thompson and Paul Stirling scored 15 and 17 respectively at the top of the order but a failure from the middle order, with no-one else making double figures until number 10 Barry McCarthy (11no) joined Singh, put Ireland behind the eight ball until Singh's aggressive knock gave them hope.

Tri-Nations T20 series (at Rotterdam): Netherlands 144 (19.5 ovs) (P Seelaar 36, B de Leede 33; S Singh 3-23, B McCarthy 3-26). Ireland 140-8 (20 ovs) (S Singh 57no, P Stirling 17; P Seelaar 3-25).

Netherlands won by 4 runs.