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COLOMBO: Captain Lorcan Tucker smashed an unbeaten 94 to steer Ireland to a commanding 96-run victory over Oman in their Group B clash at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Saturday.
Ireland piled-up 235 for five after being put in to bat at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground before bundling Oman out for 139 in 18 overs to open their accounts with two points from three matches. T
Tucker’s 51-ball knock, studded with 10 fours and four sixes, anchored a recovery after Ireland slipped to 45 for three inside five overs against disciplined new-ball bowling from Oman’s Shakeel Ahmed.
Shakeel struck three times in his four overs, removing Tim Tector, Ross Adair and Harry Tector to give Oman early momentum. But Tucker steadied the innings alongside Curtis Campher before unleashing in a decisive fifth-wicket stand with Gareth Delany.
Delany hammered 56 off 30 balls, including four sixes, as the pair added 100 runs in 55 deliveries to swing the contest firmly Ireland’s way. Tucker brought up his half-century off 35 balls and accelerated further at the death.
George Dockrell then provided the late fireworks, blasting an unbeaten 35 from just nine balls with five sixes, as Ireland plundered 70 runs from the final four overs to finish with a daunting total at a run rate of 11.75.
Chasing 236, Oman began briskly. Aamir Kaleem raced to a 28-ball fifty and, alongside Hammad Mirza (46), lifted Oman to 100 for three in the 11th over, briefly raising hopes of a competitive chase.
But Ireland’s bowlers tightened the screws after the second drinks break. Kaleem fell for 50, triggering a collapse as wickets tumbled in clusters.
Left-arm seamer Josh Little led the charge with three for 16 in four overs, while Matthew Humphreys and Barry McCarthy claimed two wickets apiece. Oman lost their last seven wickets for 42 runs, undone by sharp fielding that produced two run-outs and sustained scoreboard pressure.
Ireland’s all-round display – recovery with the bat, a clinical death-overs surge and disciplined bowling – kept them firmly in contention in Group B, while Oman were left searching for answers after their bright start fizzled out.
Summarised Scores
Ireland 235/5 (20 overs)
Lorcan Tucker 94* (51), Gareth Delany 56 (30), George Dockrell 35* (9);
Shakeel Ahmed 3-33.
Oman 139 all out (18 overs)
Aamir Kaleem 50 (29), Hammad Mirza 46 (37);
Josh Little 3-16, Matthew Humphreys 2-27, Barry McCarthy 2-32.
Ireland won by 96 runs.
