NEW DELHI: Barbados-born
Nicholas Kirton
led Canada's resurgence with a daring 35-ball 49, while wicketkeeper Shreyas Movva contributed 37 off 36 deliveries, propelling their team to a decent 137 for seven in their
T20 World Cup
match against Ireland in New York on Friday.
The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium witnessed a score exceeding 100 for the first time in the tournament.
The pitch conditions at the venue had been under scrutiny due to the inconsistent bounce and excessive movement in previous matches.
However, the curators made significant improvements by removing the grass and extensively rolling the surface.
Ireland's decision to field first proved effective as they had Canada struggling at 53 for four by the start of the ninth over.
Seamer Craig Young (2/32) made an early impact, dismissing Aaron Johnson (14) and Pargat Singh (18), while opening bowler Mark Adair accounted for Navneet Dhaliwal (6), who had scored a half-century in the tournament opener against USA.
Leg-spinner Gareth Delany also claimed the wicket of Dilpreet Bajwa (7), leaving Canada in a precarious position at the halfway point, having scored 37 runs for the loss of two wickets in the power play.
This was the second-highest power play score in New York, following India's 39/1 against Ireland on Wednesday.
Dhaliwal, aiming to provide a solid start for his team, fell short as he cut a delivery from Adair straight to George Dockrell at backward point in the third over.
Johnson managed a couple of boundaries against Josh Little but soon departed, caught at fine leg while attempting a pull shot.
Pargat Singh, after a promising start, was caught by Little off a Young delivery while trying to loft it. Delany then took a fine return catch to dismiss Dilpreet Bajwa with his very first ball of the match.
Kirton and Movva's partnership helped Canada recover and post a competitive total.
(With inputs from PTI)
English (US) ·