Ireland reignited their T20 World Cup campaign with a commanding 96-run victory over Oman in Colombo, powered by a superb unbeaten 94 from stand-in captain Lorcan Tucker. After suffering defeats to Sri Lanka and Australia in their opening fixtures, Ireland entered the contest knowing that nothing less than a comprehensive win would keep their qualification hopes alive. Not only did they need two points, but they also required a significant boost to their net run-rate to remain in contention for a place in the Super 8s.
Tucker rose to the occasion in spectacular fashion. Promoted to captaincy duties in the absence of the injured Paul Stirling, the wicketkeeper-batter produced one of the finest innings of the tournament so far. Ireland posted a mammoth 235-5 from their 20 overs — their highest-ever total in T20 internationals — before bowling Oman out for 139 in 18 overs to seal a dominant win.
Early setbacks test Ireland’s resolve
Ireland’s innings did not begin smoothly. Tim Tector, opening the batting in place of Stirling, was dismissed cheaply for five. Oman’s experienced seamer Shakeel Ahmed struck repeatedly in the powerplay, removing Ross Adair for 14 and Harry Tector for 14 as well. The 38-year-old celebrated his wickets in the style of Cristiano Ronaldo, adding flair to his impactful spell. By the end of the first six overs, Ireland were wobbling at 47-3.
Curtis Campher briefly counter-attacked with 12 from just seven balls but failed to convert his start, leaving Ireland under pressure at 67-4. At that critical juncture, Tucker took control. Calm and composed, he began rebuilding the innings alongside all-rounder Gareth Delany.
Tucker and Delany shift the momentum
The partnership between Tucker and Delany proved transformative. Together they added 101 runs in just 56 balls, accelerating Ireland from a precarious position to one of dominance. Delany was aggressive and inventive, striking seven boundaries during his 56 from 30 deliveries. His clean hitting relieved pressure and allowed Tucker to anchor the innings before launching his own assault.
Tucker’s knock was a masterclass in controlled aggression. Mixing classical stroke play with innovation, he struck 10 fours and four sixes. His ability to find gaps and punish loose deliveries ensured Ireland’s scoring rate continued to climb.
There was one moment of controversy when, on 67-4, Oman believed they had stumped Tucker. Vinayak Shukla appeared to remove the bails with the batter out of his crease, but replays showed the wicketkeeper had dislodged them without the ball in hand. The third umpire ruled in Tucker’s favor, granting him a crucial reprieve.
Ireland capitalized fully on that decision. Tucker made Oman pay dearly, pushing the total beyond 200 with a series of authoritative strokes. He eventually finished unbeaten on 94 from 51 balls, equalling his highest score in T20 internationals. Frustratingly for him, he was stranded at the non-striker’s end during the final over as George Dockrell blazed 35 off just nine deliveries, ensuring Ireland closed with a flourish. The final five overs yielded an astonishing 93 runs, propelling the team to 235-5.
Although Tucker narrowly missed out on a maiden T20 century, his innings surpassed Tim Seifert’s earlier 89 for New Zealand as the standout individual performance of the tournament so far.
Oman’s reply falters despite Kaleem milestone
Facing a daunting target of 236, Oman needed an extraordinary effort. They began positively, reaching 63-2 at the end of the powerplay and crossing 100 in the 11th over — both quicker than Ireland had managed. Aamir Kaleem led the charge, playing aggressively and reaching his half-century in just 28 balls.
At 44 years old, Kaleem became the oldest player in T20 World Cup history to score a fifty, breaking the record set by his teammate Muhammad Nadeem only days earlier. His 50 from 29 balls showcased both experience and fearlessness, briefly hinting at a potential upset.
However, wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Oman struggled to build sustained partnerships, and the steep required rate placed immense pressure on their middle order. Once Kaleem was dismissed, the chase rapidly unraveled.
Josh Little leads Ireland’s bowling charge
The standout performer with the ball for Ireland was left-arm seamer Josh Little. After going wicketless in his previous four T20 internationals and being left out of Ireland’s first two matches in the tournament, Little returned with purpose. He delivered a hostile spell, clocking lively pace and maintaining tight lines.
Although he was initially denied a wicket when Gareth Delany dropped Kaleem in the deep, Little persisted. He eventually finished with excellent figures of 3-16, removing Muhammad Nadeem, Jiten Ramanandi, and Nadeem Khan to extinguish any lingering hopes for Oman.
Little’s performance offered encouragement for Ireland’s seam attack, reminding observers of his impact in the 2021 tournament when he claimed 4-23 against Sri Lanka. His return to form could prove crucial as Ireland head into their final group fixture.
Oman were eventually bowled out for 139 in 18 overs, handing Ireland a comprehensive 96-run victory and significantly improving their net run-rate.
What lies ahead
Despite the emphatic win, Ireland’s path to the Super 8s remains uncertain. They face Zimbabwe next on Tuesday at 09:30 GMT and must secure another victory while hoping other results in Group B fall in their favor.
Nevertheless, this commanding display has restored belief within the squad. Tucker’s leadership and batting heroics, combined with a disciplined bowling performance, demonstrated Ireland’s ability to compete at the highest level when firing on all cylinders.
The victory also marked Ireland’s first T20 World Cup win since their famous triumph over England in 2022, ending a difficult run and breathing life into their campaign.
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