Ireland beat USA in second T20 World Cup qualifier

Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier, Mulpani Cricket Stadium, Kathmandu

Ireland 154-7 (20 overs): Paul 67, Lewis 42; Norris 3-10

USA 138-8 (20 overs): Singh 41; Kelly 4-20; Canning 2-11, Maguire 2-26

Ireland won by 16 runs

Full scorecard (external site)

Ireland defeated the USA by 16 runs in Kathmandu on Thursday to make it two wins out of two at the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers.

Ireland made 154-7 off their 20 overs, with the USA’s reply falling short on 138-8.

Ireland had beaten Papua New Guinea by 41 runs in their opening match on Sunday so a win against Bangladesh in their next game on Saturday would clinch a place in the Super Sixes stage of the qualifying competition.

The top three teams from each group qualify for the Super Sixes, and the top four teams will then progress to the finals in England in June.

After winning the toss, Ireland elected to bat first and suffered a setback in the fourth over when opener Amy Hunter was dismissed for 18 to leave her side 27-1.

Orla Prendergast followed for a duck with no further runs scored but a third-wicket partnership of 77 between Gaby Lewis (42) and Leah Paul put their side back on track at 125-4.

Paul went on to top-score with 67, while medium pacer Tara Norris was the pick of the USA bowlers with 3-10.

Arlene Kelly shone with figures of 4-20, while Ava Canning and Aimee Maguire took two wickets apiece, as the United States fell 16 runs short of the total set by their opponents.

The USA failed to sustain any momentum as wickets fell regularly, Ritu Singh’s 41 off 30 deliveries being the standout contribution of the innings.