Ireland overcome Bahrain to keep T20 hopes alive

Craig Young continued his magnificent bowling form, taking three wickets today to ensure Ireland defeated Bahrain in a must-win Group Stage match of the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier at the Al Almerat Stadium today.

His three wickets today brings his wicket tally to 11 in his last four matches on this tour, at an average of 9.01. Combined with his three three-wicket hauls against West Indies in the ODI series last month, it brings to 20 his international wicket tally in 2022 so far, equalling his wicket tally in the whole of 2021.

Young's fellow North West Warriors teammate Andy McBrine also delivered an influential spell, taking 1-19 from his four overs – his wicket being his 100th international wicket for Ireland across all formats.

Despite a positive start chasing 159 to win, the Bahrain batting unit never recovered from losing those first three wickets to Young. Muhammad Younis (30) and David Mathias (28) – and a late cameo by Veerapathiran Sathaiya of 33* from 14 balls - injected runs into the final total, but from the 9th over of the run chase the Irish felt in control.

Bahrain finished on 137-5 from their 20 overs, handing Ireland a crucial 21-run win.

Earlier in the day Irish skipper Andrew Balbirnie won the toss and decided to bat first, noting at the toss that runs on the board were crucial.

Balbirnie and Paul Stirling started positively, moving swiftly to 60 from the first eight overs without losing a wicket.

The captain struck four boundaries, including a six, in his knock of 33 from 25 balls before falling to an outfield catch. Stirling – unusually quiet at the other end – fell shortly after for 32 from 35 balls, pushing a slow ball from wrist-spinner Junaid Aziz back to the bowler who safely claimed the return