HARARE: Dominant Ireland put on an all-round show to register a resounding six-wicket victory over the United States of America (USA) in the seventh place playoff semi-final of the Cricket World Cup (CWC) Qualifier.
Put into bat first, USA could only post a meagre total of 196 before bundling in the 43rd over despite half-centuries by opener Sushant Modani and Saiteja Mukkamalla.
The USA had a dismal start to their innings as the associate side was two down with just 33 runs on the scoreboard in the seventh after Steven Taylor (23) and skipper Monank Patel (0) perished on two successive deliveries.
Following the early setback, Modani and Mukkamalla anchored the innings with a gutsy third-wicket partnership.
The pair added 78 runs to the total before Ireland found a much-needed breakthrough in the 23rd over as Andy McBrine ran out Mukkamalla.
He scored 55 off 46 deliveries with the help of five boundaries.
Opener Modani, however, stood his ground firm and put on brief partnerships with Gajanand Singh (10) and Abhishek Paradkar (0) before finally perishing in the 31st over, leaving the USA reeling at 151/6.
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He remained the joint top-scorer for the USA with a cautious 93-ball 55 which featured four boundaries.
Lower-order batter Usman Rafiq played an important cameo of a 37-ball 28 before the Irish bowlers booked the USA for a modest total.
Craig Young led the bowling attack for Ireland with 3/35, followed by Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy and Andy McBrine, who took two wickets each.
Set to chase a modest total, Ireland batters showcased a collective effort to comfortably complete the pursuit for the loss of four wickets and 94 balls to spare.
Hard-hitting opener Paul Stirling was the pick of their batters, courtesy of his brisk half-century. He also remained Ireland’s top-scorer with 58 off 45 deliveries, hitting nine boundaries and two sixes.
Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie played an important knock in the run chase and remained unbeaten. He scored 45 off 58 deliveries and hit four boundaries.
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