A torrential downpour saved Ireland from total humiliation against an England 'B' side that had a world record total very much in their sights. Ireland's bowlers - with the exception of Craig Young - were given a pounding by the hosts. Phil Salt's brutal assault on Josh Little and Mark Adair set the tone for the innings, that was continued by Will Jacks, Zak Crawley and maiden centurion Ben Duckett. Amid the carnage Craig Young's 3 for 31 was admirable, while debutant Theo van Woerkom had the consolation of a wicket despite his four overs costing 47. Not many positives or learnings to be taken from this game. A few months inactivity now to reflect on a disappointing year. Hopefully 2024 will bring better fortunes with a T20 World Cup to look forward to.

A battling effort by the Irish lower order gives the result a much closer look than it really warranted. 40's for George Dockrell, Barry McCarthy and Craig Young, plus 29 for Josh Little saw them recover from 157 for 7 to make 286. England's second-string side will be happy with the win. Will Jacks and Sam Hain the stars with the bat, while Rehan Ahmed's leg-spin got four wickets. The third and final ODI is in Bristol on Tuesday.

Ground unplayable after heavy rain - no toss.

No play possible due to rain.

Andrew Balbirnie hit a valiant 72 in a losing cause as India took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the T20I series at Malahide. Batting first, India had been kept in check by the home attack, before a boundary barrage in the final two overs took them from 143 to 185 with Barry McCarthy and Mark Adair taking serious tap. The chase again saw the home side lose early wickets, but the former skipper kept their slim hopes alive with his 51-ball knock that saw him clear the ropes four times as well as hitting five fours. Mark Adair hit some lusty blows in his 23, but India ran out comfortable 33-run winners. The Irish have the opportunity of a consolation win on Wednesday in the final game of the three-match series.

Ireland came within one ball of gaining a first win over India after a rain-ruined 2-run DLS loss in their opening T20I at Malahide. That scenario seemed highly unlikely after the Irish lost two wickets in the opening over of the game. slumping further to 31 for 5 and 59 for 6. They were rescued by a 6th wicket stand of 57 between Curtis Campher (39) and Barry Mc Carthy, who cleared the ropes four times in his unbeaten 51 from just 33 balls. An Irish total of 139 for 7 gave their attack something to bowl at, Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (24) and Ruhuraj Gaikwad (19*) kept India ahead on DLS with the forecast rain sweeping in, but Craig Young struck twice in successive balls to bring the Irish right back into it. However, the hat-trick ball went for a single and that was to be the last action of the day - India edging the opener. The sides meet again at the same venue on Sunday. Jasprit Bumrah (2-24) was preferred to McCarthy for the Man of the Match accolade - quite extraordinary as another Barry (Norman) might have said.

Scotland took the bragging rights and the T20 European Qualifier trophy with an 8-run win over Ireland in a high-scoring boundary fest at The Grange. Half centuries from top-scorer Brandon McMullen and Ritchie Berrington saw the pair share a third wicket stand of 104 in 9 overs on their way to 213 for 6. McMullen's 68 from 35 balls included 4 fours and 5 sixes, while Berrington hit 54 from 29 deliveries (3 fours, 4 sixes). The Irish attack with the exception of Mark Adair (1-20) came in for some brutal punishment. Brad Currie removed Andy Balbirnie and Lorcan Tucker in the first over of the chase on the way to 5 for 13, and at 108 for 7 in the 12th, it looked all over. However, Adair clubbed 6 sixes and 4 fours on his way to a career best 72 to bring Ireland right back into it. However, he attempted one big blow too many to fall to Man of the Match Currie, as the Irish fell just short.

The abandonment, due to heavy overnight rain, means Ireland have secured qualification for the T20 World Cup.

Ireland brushed aside the challenge of Jersey to make it four wins on the bounce and leave themselves one victory away from qualifying for the T20 World Cup. Once again the win was set up by the bowling unit with Barry McCarthy's three wickets enough this time to persuade the adjudicators to give him the Man of the Match accolade. Ben White's superb tournament continued with another two wickets, and Josh Little (2-23) set the ball rolling with early strikes. George Dockrell - playing his 300th game for the Irish - also got in on the action as Jersey were kept to a very modest 78 for 9. Skipper Paul Stirling (35*) and Andy Balbirnie (25) made short work of the chase, getting there just after the midway point, while Lorcan Tucker also passed 1000 T20I runs in a comprehensive 9-wicket win.

Ireland produced a record breaking display to brush aside the tournament whipping boys Austria. They produced their highest T20I total of 226 for 4, with Lorcan Tucker making his highest score - his unbeaten 94 including 8 fours and 4 sixes. Ross Adair - a late replacement after Andy Balbirnie got a niggle in the warm-up - cleared the ropes three times in a hard-hit 46, while Neil Rock's 36 was also a personal best for the Rush man. Mark Adair struck with his first ball going on to claim a career best 4 for 13 as Austria were bowled out for 98 - two wickets apiece for Josh Little and Curtis Campher. The margin of 128 runs was also an Irish record - a sterner test awaits in the form of Jersey on Monday.

Ireland made it two wins from two with a convincing 9-wickets win over Denmark at the T20 World Cup Qualifiers in Edinburgh. The victory was set up by a dominant bowling display with Mark Adair and Barry McCarthy each taking three wickets, and two for Ben White to restrict the Danes to a modest 122 for 9. Oliver Hald - who plays his club cricket with Phoenix, and The Hills' Nicolaj Laegsgaard were best with the bat making 21 and 20. Man of the Match Andrew Balbirnie and skipper Paul Stirling both scored half centuries as they shared an opening stand of 90, sealing the win in the 15th over. Balbirnie's 53 from 28 balls saw him hit 4 fours and clear the ropes three times, while Stirling's unbeaten 55 from 39 balls included 9 boundaries. Ireland are back in action on Sunday, when they take on Austria.

Ireland survived a late scare to get their quest for a T20 World Cup spot off to a successful, if not convincing start. They lost early wickets and at the midway point of their innings looked vulnerable at 59 for 3. A stand of 76 between Man of the Match Curtis Campher (61) and Harry Tector (41) got them up to 158 for 8 - three wickets for Gareth Berg and Harry Manenti. Josh Little and Mark Adair struck early blows, while Ben White also claimed two wickets as Ireland always looked relatively secure. That was until with 20 needed from the last over, Berg struck 10 off the first three balls to get the pulses racing, evoking memories of recent horror losses from similar situations. However, Adair dismissed Berg with the fourth delivery to finish with three wickets and secure a welcome 7-run win.

Ireland finished the tournament as they began it, with another lacklustre display, limping home to a 2 wickets victory with just four balls to spare. Following the match, Andrew Balbirnie announced that he was standing down as captain of Ireland's ODI and T20 sides.

Excellent total by Ireland but it all feels like a day late and a dollar short. Paul Stirling's 162 from 134 balls (15 fours, 8 sixes) set them up, sharing stands of 41 with Andy McBrine (24) for the first wicket, and a match winning 184 in just under 30 overs with Andy Balbirnie (66). Harry Tector hit 4 fours and cleared the ropes twice in a rapid 57 from just 33 balls, and a few lusty late blows from Lorcan Tucker and George Dockrell took the Irish to 349 for 4. Josh Little has struck twice and the contest is already all but over at the 20 overs mark. To be fair to the UAE they are making Ireland work and the 7th wicket stand is now 68 and counting. In the end though a very convincing 139 runs win. Two wickets apiece for Little, McBrine, Campher and Dockrell.

Toss: Ireland

A dream start for the Scots with Brandon McMullan having Paul Stirling caught at slip chasing a wide and then trapping Andy Balbirnie lbw first ball. Dockrell and Campher retrieved the situation with a partnership of 134 before McMullan returned to 'york' Dockrell who paid the price for showing all his stumps. Campher back into the side today and scores a century - good selection! Two wickets apiece for Mark Adair and Josh Little have Ireland on course for a much needed win Scotland staging a late rally with Michael Leask and Mark Watt sharing a half century stand. Still, a tall ask with the required rate 11 an over. Missed stumping in 44th over as Leask gets a life, but Tucker redeems himself as he gets Mark Watt off a wide in the 46th over. Much needed for Ireland. Leask still there to offer hope for Scotland. He has his half century and they need 44 from 4 overs. Could that be decisive? Josh Little returns and his over goes for 22 - Leask getting 21 of them. Two overs to go. 16 needed. Going right to the wire. Last over coming up. 8 needed. Misfield allows boundary off first, followed by a single. Adair strikes with the third ball. Three needed off 3 balls. Last pair at the wicket. Misses short ball. 3 off 2 balls. They scramble a bye. Last ball. 2 needed. Leask on strike. He wins it. Inside edge evades Tucker. Incredible really having been 152 for 7 in the chase.

A fine opening stand of 51 between Paul Stirling and Andy McBrine ended in the 9th over with the end of Stirling, who pulled to deep square.. And one brings two as McBrine departs next ball as he tamely hits long hop to mid-off.. Andy Balbirnie the next to go as his poor form continues. Lorcan Tucker employs the sweep to good effect as he races to 26, but is bowled to peg Ireland back. Harry Tector and George Dockrell rebuilt the innings with a 5th wicket stand of 79 before Tector fell just after reaching his half century. Dockrell also has passed 50, while Gareth Delany (20) and Mark Adair (15) perish in the chase for late runs. Ireland finish on 281 for 7 with Dockrell's unbeaten 91 from 89 balls (7 fours, 2 sixes) an excellent effort. It should be enough but will it? Oman going well in the chase. Two wickets apiece for Mark Adair and Josh Little but Oman sealed the win with four of their batters making half centuries. A horrible loss for Ireland who now have little margin for error in their remaining three group games against Scotland, Sri Lanka and UAE.

Ireland won the Toss and opted to field first in this 15-a-side (11 batting, 11 bowling) warmup game. All the USA batters got a start and with Patel and Jones adding 125 in their third wicket partnership USA would have been pleased with a total over 300 which would pose a proper challenge for the Irish batting lineup. But there was a disastrous start to the reply with Stirling's 'new' opening partner Andy McBrine out in the first over with Andy Balbirnie following last ball of the second. Why McBrine? Could it be a left hand, right hand experiment, perhaps we'll hear something after the game? Normal service resumed as Stirling and Tector added 87 before Stirling completed his half-century and was out in the same over. Tector and Tucker added 122, with Tector completing his century in 98 balls (6x4, 4x6). Just a shade over four an over was required for the last ten overs and that wasn't a problem for Ireland as Tector put his foot down and wrapped up the win with over five overs to spare. Another great knock from the ICC ODI Player of the Month - his 148* came off 122 balls and included 10x4s & 7x6s)

A case of Déjà Vu as Ireland lost both openers inside the first three overs, and worse when Tuesday's centurion Harry Tector joined them soon after. Balbirnie and Tucker doubled the score, such as it was, before Vikram Singh claimed the wicket of Balbirnie and Shariz Ahmad took the wicket of Dockrell in his first over. Gareth Delany and Lorcan Tucker staged a recovery and late order runs from Graham Hume carried Ireland to a disappointing 193. An impressive performance by the Dutch who are missing 7 county players, including their main 5 fast bowlers. Spin the order of the day from Ireland as Andy McBrine took the new ball and was rewarded with the wicket of Vikram Singh. A four wicket burst from Ben White caused a middle order stumble and offered some hope for Ireland - 6 down and still 70 required, but a half-century partnership between Barresi and Shariz Ahmad ensured the win with time to spare, although both fell with the finishing line in sight. The Irish spinners with all 8 wickets to fall, five for Ben White and one each for Andy McBrine, George Dockrell and Harry Tector, Delany the only one of the five spinners not to take a wicket.. White will have staked a claim for a start against Oman on Monday but the Irish line up seems pretty settled - there have been few signs of change in the thinking for some time now, win or lose.

Ireland closed 9 wickets down as James McCollum took no further part in the match following his ankle injury yesterday. England forced to bat again to the apparent delight of all in the ground.

It was another hard day at the office for the Irish bowlers who struggled to exert any control on a dominant England top-order. Ollie Pope filled his boots with a double century, while Ben Duckett made 182. There were two wickets for Andy McBrine, but by that stage England had passed 500 and were searching for quick runs. They eventually declared 352 ahead, and had the Irish in deep trouble. Josh Tongue struck twice in an over, trapping PJ Moor lbw, then having Andy Balbirnie caught behind to a truly dreadful shot. James McCollum retired hurt with an ankle injury, while Paul Stirling was caught down the leg side. Harry Tector (33*) and Lorcan Tucker (21*) took Ireland to 97 for 3 at the close. The crowd - and food/drink merchants - will be hoping Irish resistance can continue well into the third day.

A chastening day for Ireland who were bowled out for 172 just after tea, James McCollum, Curtis Campher and Paul Stirling all got 30s but no Irish batter threatened to play the substantial innings required. Stuart Broad did the damage - removing PJ Moor, Andy Balbirnie and Harry Tector cheaply. He finished with 5-51 to get his name on the honours board, while there three wickets for Jack Leach and two for Potts. England raced out of the blocks with half centuries for Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley. The latter fell to a juggled caught and bowled by debutant Fionn Hand. A rare bright moment in the field for Ireland. There will need to be more of them early tomorrow or you fear that the Bazball juggernaut may cause some serious damage to a very limited and one-dimensional Ireland attack.

Centuries from PJ Moor and James McCollum led Ireland to a morale boosting ten-wicket win over Essex ahead of the Lord's Test. Having been set 232 in 50 overs, the opening pair had little trouble in reaching their generous target in the 43rd. Mark Adair had earlier scored a rapid 85 for the hosts, while there were three wickets apiece for Tom Mayes and Graham Hume. In truth, the fixture was no more than a glorified practice session, but most of the batters - Andy Balbirnie and Harry Tector aside - got valuable time in the middle while the bowlers got some overs in their legs.

Billed as a first-class match, the three-day fixture has more the look of a glorified practice session with Essex fielding four Irish players as well as fringe players. Robin Das took his opportunity, scoring 132 on debut, with half centuries too for George Dockrell and Mark Adair. Tom Mayes (4-68) was the most successful of the Irish attack, while Fionn Hand and Andy McBrine took two apiece as Essex made 343. Faced with 16 overs before the close, the Irish lost James McCollum and Andy Balbirnie cheaply. PJ Moor will be hoping to build on his 20 not out, while the batting will be boosted by the arrival on Saturday of Paul Stirling after his stint with the Brummie Bears.

Ireland lost a last-ball thriller against Bangladesh to lose the series 2-0 at Chelmsford. Half centuries for Paul Stirling, Lorcan Tucker and Andy Balbirnie had them in control of a pursuit of 274, but the dismissal of Harry Tector (45) produced a wobble as Mustafizur (4-44) produced a fine death display to deny them a deserved win. Earlier Mark Adair took four wickets, with two apiece for spinners George Dockrell and Andy McBrine in a fine bowling effort.

Harry Tector's 140 was in vain as Bangladesh chased 320 to win by 3 wickets in the final over of a thrilling game at Chelmsford. Tector hit an Irish record 10 sixes in his innings, sharing stands of 98 with Andy Balbirnie (42) and 115 for the 6th wicket in 11.2 overs with George Dockrell, whose unbeaten 74 included 3 fours and 4 sixes. Shanto's brilliant century, sharing a partnership of 131 with Towhid Hridoy (68) put Bangladesh in the ascendancy, but the Irish kept chipping away. George Dockrell took two wickets - his 300th and 301st across all formats - and if Paul Stirling had taken a catch at slip, or Mushfiqur not survive two tight third umpire calls - one for a run out, another for a no-ball catch called for height - then the final result may have been different.

It was a painful morning for Ireland as Asitha Fernando peppered them with short bowling. Balbirnie forced retire hurt in the third over of the day, hit on the grill but returned to the crease to join Tector who was also hit on the helmet. Another rib-tickler from Fernando accounted for Tucker when it dropped onto the stumps. Both the first innings centurions, Stirling and Campher also fell before Lunch, Stirling caught at extra cover driving, and Campher gloving an attempted sweep to leg slip. Deficit crept down but another wicket fell to Mendis when Balbirnie chipped tamely to mid-off and McBrine followed quickly edging the off-spinner to slip. Mendis completed a five-for when Hume edged behind before Harry Tector completed a hard earned 50 and immediately launched an attack to take Ireland closer to making Sri Lanka bat again. Amazing stuff from Tector but he was finally yorked by the returning Fernando who accounted for White next ball to seal the win.

A perfect day from Sri Lanka's point of view as their top four all completed centuries before their spinners removed the Irish openers in the final session. The wickets of Double centurions Madushka and Mendis for McBrine and Hume brought little respite, as Angelo Mathews arrived at the crease to plunder the tiring Irish attack. The declaration came perhaps a little sooner than expected, immediately after Mathews posted his hundred - 212 ahead and with 22 overs left for Ireland to endure. Unsurprisingly the Sri Lankan spinners were quickly into action with off-spinner Mendis bowling McCollum who gloved one that turned and bounced down onto his stumps, and PJ Moor was caught at short extra cover driving at Jayasuriya. The day ended with Balbirnie and Tector at the crease surrounded by close catchers. More of the same to come tomorrow no doubt.

No early breakthrough for Ireland this morning as the Sri Lankan openers took their partnership past 200. Skipper Karunaratne posted his sixteenth century and his sixth in Galle before falling to Curtis Campher just two balls before the lunch break when he top-edged a hook to Humphreys at fine-leg. Madushka has completed a maiden Test century, and like Stirling yesterday, completed it with a 6. Balbirnie dropped Madushka on 131, a straightforward chance at slip with just a hint that the pitch is starting to offer help to the bowlers. It has a reputation for breaking up later in the game and Ireland must hope that this one is no different and that it happens sooner rather than later. Follow-on saved and bookmakers offering only even money on a home win while Ireland sit at fifty to one! Kusal Mendis going along at a run-a-ball and it's one-way traffic at the moment. Early Tea taken when Bad Light caused a stoppage with rain delaying the resumption before the umpires called it a day. A full session lost which Sri Lanka couldn’t really afford as they hope to force a result.

Bad light brought an early end to the day with Sri Lanka making a good start to their huge chase. Lorcan Tucker could only add another two runs to his overnight total before he was bowled by the fourth ball of the morning but Paul Stirling returned to the crease to become Ireland's third Test centurion. He got off the mark yesterday with a Six and went to his 100 in the same way. When he was caught at fine leg hooking at Fernando, he and Campher had added 64 in another good session for the visitors. Campher would go on to become Ireland's fourth Test centurion, making 111 as he and Andy McBrine (35) added 89 for the 7th wicket. The hosts then getting a taste of their own medicine as Ireland are dismissed for 492 - their highest score in Tests. Five wickets for Prabath Jayasuriya, but at a cost of 174. Ireland induced a few edges from openers Karunaratne and Madushka early on, but nothing went to hand, and when play ended both were looking comfortable, albeit with a lot more to do. Another day of record-setting for Ireland that has enhanced their Test match credentials no end.

Ireland chose to bat first and rejigged their batting order. No Stirling at the top of the order with PJ Moor and James McCollum the chosen pair. Moor was an early casualty but Balbirnie was batting positively, posting a half-century and was then joined by Paul Stirling, batting at five. Left arm spinner Jayasuria claimed both McCollum and Tector before lunch, to leave both sides reasonably satisfied with their opening sessions. The afternoon was all Ireland with both players looking solid. They added 93 without losing a wicket in a dream session. It's incredibly hot and steamy in Galle, so could they build on this excellent platform. 400 should be the minimum for them with 600 the dream target to give Sri Lanka a dose of their own medicine. The final session began with Paul Stirling having to be helped off with severe cramp. Their stand was worth 115, Hopefully he will be able to bat later, if and when, required. No century for the skipper who was caught at slip from the back of his bat as he swept. Lorcan Tucker is batting well and he has gone past 50 and will have his eye on a century tomorrow as Ireland brought up the 300. A 5th wicket stand of 87* between Tucker and Campher sees 120 added in the final session. A day to remember for Ireland.

Lorcan Tucker raced to 45 when Ireland's first innings resumed this morning, but once he fell lbw, the end came quickly with Jayasuriya taking seven wickets. Following on, the Irish reply again started badly with Murray Commins bagging a pair, quickly followed back to the pavilion by Andy Balbirnie, James McCollum, Lorcan Tucker and PJ Moor. They recovered from 40-5 with the YMCA pair of Harry Tector (42) and Curtis Campher (30) sharing a sixth wicket stand of 60 ended by a brilliant catch at short leg. Harry Tector then run out after slipping mid-pitch looking for non-existent single. The eighth wicket was that of Andy McBrine who edged low to second slip. All about respectability now as George Dockrell and Mark Adair showed some late order resistance before Dockell trapped lbw for 32, followed shortly after by Ben White. Ten wickets in the match for Jayasuriya. A record win for Sri Lanka. The Test hasn't been a contest at any stage. The second Test starts next Monday, when hopefully the Irish can provide stiffer opposition.

Sri Lanka finally take pity on the beleaguered Irish bowlers and declare on 591 for 6. Four centurions in the hosts batting effort, with today's two hundred makers Sadeera Samarawickrama and Dinesh Chandimal adding an unbroken 183 in 36 overs for the seventh wicket. Ireland had started the day well with a wicket for Curtis Campher in the second over, as well as one for Andy McBrine with his first ball. Chandimal was dropped by Lorcan Tucker on 18 and the Irish were made to pay dearly. They have 45 overs to face. They must be very tired but the battle to save the Test begins. And as feared, Ireland soon in disarray as Murray Commins falls first ball, followed quickly after by Andy Balbirnie. An excellent third wicket stand of 70 between James McCollum and Harry Tector stemmed the bleeding for a while, but both fell to Prabath Jayasuriya in quick succession along with Curtis Campher to leave Ireland in tatters. It got worse before the close as PJ Moor and George Dockrell also fell to the left-arm spinner Jayasuriya who gets his five-wicket haul. All about pride now for Ireland as the pitch is already turning sharply. They will do well to take this into a fourth day.

Late wickets have given a gloss on what was an otherwise tough day in the field for Ireland against a Sri Lankan side heading towards 400 runs. Centuries for captain Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis whose partnership for the second wicket was a mammoth 281. George Dockrell with the very welcome breakthrough, and one brings two as Ben White has Angelo Mathews caught behind for duck. The new ball was taken and Mark Adair induced an edge from a loose drive by Karunaratne, who goes for a brilliant 179. Curtis Campher with the first wicket as Andrew Balbirnie's side get a harsh dose of reality in the Test arena, but will take a little solace from the late wickets. You get the feeling that Monday could be another tough day for the Irish.

Ireland could only add six runs to their overnight total in the nine overs that it took Ebadot Hossain to claim the final two wickets, bowling Andy McBrine and having Graham Hume caught behind. A 137 run lead for the visitors, who would have been disappointed not to have added a few more this morning. There was a wicket apiece for Mark Adair, Andy McBrine and Ben White in the chase, but the hosts were positive, and thanks to an unbeaten half century from Mushfiqur Rahim, sealed the seven wicket win. Plenty to be proud of in the Irish performance, but they will reflect on a first innings batting display that saw them make 100 short of par. A final Test for Aleem Dar who was given a guard of honour. Ireland now head to Sri Lanka for two Tests.

A century by Lorcan Tucker spearheaded an Ireland fightback on the third day of their Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka. The Pembroke man became Ireland's second Test centurion - following in the footsteps of Kevin O'Brien - making a brilliant 108 before being dismissed with the second new ball. Tucker shared a sixth wicket stand of 72 with Harry Tector who made 56, and 111 for the 7th wicket with Donemana's Andy McBrine. McBrine finished the day unbeaten on 71 as Ireland closed the day on 286 for 8 - a lead of 131. Day Four will get underway on Friday at 5am.

After early hope with a second wicket for Mark Adair, it was all Bangladesh for most of the day as the experienced pair of captain Shakib-Al-Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim added 159 before Shakib edged McBrine to Lorcan Tucker with Mushfiqur and Litton Das adding a further 87 for the fifth wicket. A first Test wicket for Ben White, Das lofting to Tector immediately after a missed run out chance, that saw both batters at the one end, only for a poor throw to allow Das the short reprieve. Three quick wickets for Andy McBrine just after the tea break has given Ireland hope of restricting the Bangladesh lead to around 150 and given him a five-for. First Donemana player to get his name on the Honours board in Dhaka! McBrine finished with six wickets, while there was a second for White as Bangladesh made 369. A tricky hour to negotiate and four didn't survive as McCollum, Commins, Balbirnie and Campher fell to leave the innings in tatters. Ireland need a further 128 to make Bangladesh bat again.

Ireland were bowled out leaving Bangladesh to face ten overs on the first day of their Test match in Dhaka. Harry Tector scored a half century as he and Curtis Campher shared a fourth wicket stand of 74 after Ireland had been in early trouble at 48 for 3. Tector's dismissal sparked another mini collapse as they lost three wickets for just two runs to be deep in the mire at 124 for 6. Lorcan Tucker and Andy McBrine added 35 and Tucker and Mark Adair 40 before Tucker was stumped attempting a 'paddle' off slow left armer Tailjul Islam who completed his eleventh five-for when he had Adair lbw. Instant success in the Bangladesh reply for Mark Adair, as a bit of movement back in causes Najmul to chop on in the opening over and Ireland claimed a second off the final delivery of the day, as McBrine's turn and bounce accounted for Tamim, who edged to Adair at slip for Ireland to finish the day on a high.

Finally Ireland come through with the ball - seven bowlers used and all took at least one wicket with Mark Adair claiming three and Matthew Humphreys two, one with his first T20 delivery. Only 4 extras in the Bangladesh innings, 3 wides and 1 leg-bye, an improvement in that area today also. Shamim Hossain's half-century came off 40 deliveries, with the next highest score opener Talukdar's 15. Paul Stirling said at the Toss that he wanted Ireland to show what they could do in the chase, and he certainly did that bringing up his half-century in only 31 balls (7x4, 2x6) and powering on, before falling for 77 off 41 (10x4, 4x6). Disappointing for the skipper not to be there at the end, but he dominated the bowling as we know only he can. With only fifteen required after his departure, it was left to Campher to finish the game in style with a six off the final delivery of the fourteenth over. It all came good for Ireland in the final white-ball match of the tour, just the boost the squad needed going into next week's Test match.

Rain that arrived just after the Toss, causing an hours delay meant that the match was reduced to seventeen overs per side. Bangladesh needed no second invitation when asked to bat and tucked in to the tune of 124 inside 10 overs before the first wicket fell. Ireland clawed their way back in the final seven overs with the spin of Tector and White but the Bangladesh total of 202 looked impregnable at the change of innings. With Paul Stirling going first ball of the chase and Lorcan Tucker out to the first ball of the second over Ireland’s slender prospects were in tatters. The left arm spin of Shakib al Hasan sealed their fate as he took five wickets for just 22 runs. There was token resistance from Campher and Hume as they swung the bat towards the end in a lost cause, the 77 run margin reflecting Bangladesh’s dominance throughout the tour to date..

Bangladesh were on the way to surpass their previous highest T20 total of 215, when rain cut short their innings after two balls of the twentieth over. There were two wickets for Craig Young on his comeback, with one each for Mark Adair, Harry Tector and Graham Hume. All came at a price however, as Bangladesh cleared the ropes on eight occasions, something that Ireland would fail to do even once when their turn came to bat. The rain gave Ireland a chance of an upset, their target in the 8 overs that were ultimately possible, was 104. Certainly a tough ask, but certainly much better than their chances were of scoring 208 in 20. Paul Stirling blasted 18 off Nasum Ahmed's opening over, and Ross Adair took 13 off Mustafizur Rahman's second, to raise Irish hopes, but that was as good as it got for Ireland, as Taskin removed Tucker, Stirling and Dockrell in the fourth over. He returned to bowl the final over for only nine runs and claiming Tector as his fourth wicket, leaving Ireland 22 runs adrift on the DLS calculation.

One for the record books as Ireland suffered the first 10 wicket loss in the 185 ODIs they have played, while Bangladesh recorded their biggest ever win in terms of wickets. The pre-match talk from the Irish camp, “We have some world-class batters, chasing is definitely the best option under lights...", meant that Balbirnie's decision to bat first came as a bit of a surprise. But an even bigger surprise was to follow, as Ireland were blown away by pace and bounce rather than the expected ordeal by spin. By contrast the Bangladesh openers were untroubled by anything Ireland threw at them, and knocked off the 102 runs required in just 79 deliveries. The whole game was completed in just over forty overs, but no one in the home crowd would have felt short-changed by what they saw. A day to remember for Bangladesh and a day to forget for Ireland.

HEAVY RAIN led to the abandonment of the second one-day international in Sylhet last night and probably saved Ireland from a second heavy defeat by Bangladesh after the home side posted a whopping 349-6 from 50 overs. The forecast storms arrived during the dinner break and did not allow a re-start. Graham Hume was again the pick of the Ireland bowlers, mixing up his medium pace intelligently for a return of 3-58, to follow up his 4-60 in the opener, but the spinners suffered with combined figures of 0-155 from 20 overs. Debutant Matthew Humphreys, a 20-year-old left armer from the Belfast area, quickly discovered that senior cricket is big step up from U19s where he has been a stand out performer, while Andy McBrine and Harry Tector fared little better. The home side’s total was their highest in ODIs, beating the 338-8 they amassed on Saturday, and Mushfiqur Rahim’s 100 not out from 60 balls, completed from the last delivery of the innings, is his country’s fastest in List A matches. Ireland may regret leaving specialist spin bowling coach Nathan Hauritz in Dublin because with the slow men lacking inspiration and star paceman Josh Little sidelined, it’s hard to see where wickets are to come from in Thursday’s final game.

Ireland crashed to a crushing 183-run loss in the first match of their ODI series against Bangladesh in Sylhet. The hosts compiled their record ODI total of 338/8 after being put in, with Shakib Al Hasan (93) and debutant Towid Hridoy (92) sharing a fourth wicket stand of 135. The wicket of Shakib didn't slow Bangladesh with the equally experienced Mushfiqur racing to 44 as he and Towid added 80 in 8 overs. Graham Hume (4-60) was the pick of the tourists attack. Stephen Doheny (34) and Paul Stirling (22) got the reply off to a fine start as they added 60 in 11 overs for the opening wicket. However a collapse followed which saw five wickets fall for 16 to effectively settle the contest. George Dockrell top-scored with 45 to give the margin a modicum of respectability but it was a little crumb of comfort on a day when Heinrich Malan's side were totally outplayed by the in-from Tigers. The sides meet again on Monday at the same venue.

Curtis Campher and Paul Stirling scored half centuries as Ireland beat a BCB XI by 77 runs in a warm-up game ahead of their ODI series. Rain meant the game was reduced to 40 overs and having been put in Stephen Doheny (30) added 53 for the first wicket with Stirling, who hit 7 fours and 3 sixes in his 54 from 50 balls. Stirling dominated the second wicket partnership, also 53 with skipper Andy Balbirnie who laboured for his 17 before retiring. A flurry of wickets had Ireland wobbling slightly at 135 for 4. However Campher clubbed 7 fours and 4 sixes in a hard hit unbeaten 75 from just 50 balls, sharing a seventh wicket stand of 75 in 46 balls with Gareth Delany as Ireland finished on 255 for 7. Graham Hume (1-4) bowed a tight opening spell but the hosts rallied with Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, and Fionn Hand taking early punishment. However, Andy McBrine (3-12) took wickets in three consecutive overs to put Ireland in control. Ireland used nine bowlers, with a wicket each for Matthew Humphreys, Gareth Delany, and Harry Tector, while Adair came back well to take two at the death, and Hand completed the morale boosting win ahead of Saturday's series opener.

A stop start morning with persistent rain calling an end to what has been a close and keenly fought series.

Ireland lost a last ball thriller in Harare, despite dominating the contest for long periods of the game. Skipper Andrew Balbirnie, playing in his 200th game, top scored with 121 before having to retire hurt. He and Harry Tector had added 212 for the third wicket after they had been in early trouble at 25 for 2. They looked on course to break the Irish ODI partnership record of 227 before Balbirnie edged a high full toss onto hiss helmet which felled him. Tector scored his third ODI hundred in his last four innings in the final over and a total of 288 for 4 looked a winning one. The Zimbabwe reply always seemed to be playing catch-up and at 99 for 4 in the 23rd over with both Ervine and Ballance in the hutch, the home crowd were very quiet. Ryan Burl though had other ideas and he and Sikander Raza powered their way back into the contest - energised by an assault on George Dockrell, whose solitary over cost 17. Rain arrived in the 34th over with Ireland two runs ahead on DLS. An 80 minute delay saw a revised target of 214 in 37 - 39 runs off 22 balls. That looked even more challenging when Raza holed out off Adair. Still Burl kept finding boundaries and with 13 needed off the last over, it was game on. The run out of Burl looked to have won it, but Brad Evans went six and out to leave the equation at five off two balls. A single left Clive Madande on strike and he was the home town saviour as he thumped a full toss to long on. A real thriller, with more to come on Saturday.

A rusty batting display saw Ireland beaten by five wickets against Zimbabwe in the opening match of their T20I series in Harare. The Irish gave debuts to both Ross Adair and Stephen Doheny in a new look to the top of the order. However, they slumped to 45 for 4 at the halfway stage, and only a run-a-ball 20 from Curtis Campher and a top score of 24 by Gareth Delany down the order saw them past 100. A final total of 114 looked well short at the halfway stage, but wickets in the first two overs from Harry Tector - his first bowl in the format at this level - and Mark Adair put a different complexion on matters. However, Gary Ballance's return to international cricket proved a timely one, as he steadied the ship with a solid 30. Further wickets for Tector (2-17) and Adair (2-12) gave the tourists hope, but Sean Williams' unbeaten 34 ensured the win with two overs to spare, sending the sizeable home crowd home happy. Ryan Burl's three wickets saw him collect the Man-of-the-Match award, while there were two apiece for Mazakadza, Chatara, and Ngarva on a day where the bowlers made use of a sluggish track. The sides meet again on Saturday at the same venue in the second game of the series.