(Cricket news) Ireland continued their preparation for the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a comfortable eight-wicket win over Papua New Guinea.

After PNG won the toss and chose to bat, Craig Young broke the opening partnership with the dismissal of Tony Ura for 2 in the second over, and Charles Amini was then dismissed for 4 to Simi Singh in the final over of the powerplay. Sese Bau and Assad Vala – the skipper who top-scored with 32 – put together 23 runs, but regular wickets meant the PNG innings never really got going.

Ben White fired in a wide delivery to have Bau stumped for 12 in the 12th over, and the leg-spinner also dismissed Vala minutes later for his second. Jason Kila was leggie’s final victim, bowled for 2 after playing all over his sweep. Mark Adair and Young joined in on the fun of hitting the stumps, with the remaining three wickets in the innings all knocking over the stumps.

PNG finished on 96-8, with White the leader of the attack, returning figures of 3-10 from his four overs. Young too claimed a three-for, conceding 15 runs.

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With the bat, Ireland lost Kevin O’Brien and Gareth Delany in the powerplay – aiming to go big over the off side, O’Brien (8 off 12) chopped on; Delany (5 off 7) was cleaned up by Simon Atai after failing to connect with a late cut but Andrew Balbirnie and Curtis Campher took Ireland home with a substantial unbeaten partnership of 71, with both batters finishing on 42 not out. While the Ireland captain was more patient in batting for 46 deliveries, Campher provided power, cracking three fours and two sixes during his 35-ball stay.

Ireland’s final warm-up match ahead of the World Cup takes place on Thursday against Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi.

After the game, captain Balbirnie said: “It’s always nice to get a win and put in a solid performance all round. The pitch was a slow, low and tired wicket, but our bowlers were very accurate throughout and executed their bowling plans well.”

“My foot is fine, it’s still not pain free, but certainly having a clear X-ray has been a great boost knowing that not much more damage can be done. I just have to remember, it’s better to use your bat rather than your boot.”

MATCH SUMMARY

Ireland Men v PNG Men, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Warm-Up, Sheikh Zayed Stadium Nursery 1, Abu Dhabi, 12 October 2021

PNG 96-8 (20 overs; A Vala 31; B White 3-10, C Young 3-15)
Ireland 99-2 (16.4 overs; A Balbirnie 42*, C Campher 42*; S Atai 1-28)

Ireland won by 8 wickets (with 20 balls remaining)