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Qualifier loss to Oman

Despite Dockrell's batting heroics, Ireland falls to 5 wicket defeat

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BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe – Despite an unbeaten 91* from George Dockrell, along with a ninth one-day international (ODI) half-century from Harry Tector, Ireland Men fell to a five-wicket defeat to Oman in their opening game of the ICC World Cup qualifiers at the Bulawayo Athletic Club.

Dockrell’s knock was a career-best in 50-over cricket for Ireland, beating his previous best of 74* against Bangladesh in Chelmsford in May earlier this year. However, Dockrell’s batting heroics weren’t enough as half-centuries from Kashyap Prajapati, Aqib Ilyas, Zeeshan Maqsood – and 44* from Mohammad Nadeem – ensured that Oman took the points in this crucial qualifier.

Having been set a target of 282, Oman’s opening partnership was broken by Mark Adair in just the fourth over, as he removed Jatinder Singh for just a single.

However, a solid 94-run partnership between Prajapati and Ilyas had them in the ascendancy before that partnership was finally broken by Dockrell in the 18th over with Oman 103-2. The wicket of Ilyas (52) was Dockrell’s 99th career ODI wicket.

BULAWAYO, ZIMBABWE – JUNE 19: A general view the inside of the stadium as Oman field against Ireland during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier Zimbabwe 2023 match between Ireland and Oman at Bulawayo Athletic Club on June 19, 2023 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Ireland’s bowling attack, which relied very heavily on its spin unit, struggled to make any inroads into the Oman batting line-up.

Prajapati went on to score 72 before he was caught behind by Tucker, off the bowling of Josh Little in the 28th over – with Oman still requiring 116 for victory off 135 balls. The loss of Prajapati didn’t seem to dent Oman’s resolve as Zeeshan Maqsood continued to take the game to Ireland. He scored 59 off 67 balls, partnering up with Mohammad Nadeem for a 56-run stand for the fourth wicket.

Adair did take the wicket of Khan late on, but the damage had already been done as Oman claimed victory with 11 balls to spare.

Earlier in the day Ireland lost the toss and were put in to bat. Andy McBrine and Paul Stirling opened the batting and started well, proceeding to hit eight boundaries square through the off-side.

The pair were moving along nicely, but as Ireland reached 50 Stirling tried to repeat a pull shot to deep square leg, however Oman had placed a fielder – Ayaan Khan – there following the previous shot and Stirling duly picked out the fielder. Fellow opener McBrine followed him with the very next delivery, slapping a poor shot straight to a fielder at mid-off. Both openers gone with Ireland 51-2 after the opening powerplay.

After skipper Andrew Balbirnie nicked off, Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker – so often the saviours for the Ireland of late – settled in and built a confident 38-run partnership before a brilliant delivery from left-arm spinner Khan completely deceived Tucker – the ball ricocheting off his pad and onto the stumps, and Ireland were 108-4.

In came Dockrell at number six and he proceeded to steady the ship, going on to post a 79-run fifth-wicket partnership with Tector, who brought up his fifty in the 33rd over off 78 balls, which included five fours.

When Tector (52) departed – caught at long-on by Prajapati – Ireland were reeling at 186-5.

Dockrell was looking increasingly comfortable taking charge of the final overs, and alongside Gareth Delany (20) and Adair (15) continued to play his shots, hitting seven fours and two sixes in his innings. But in the end Dockrell’s efforts were in vain.

Ireland will now look to re-group ahead of their second game of the tournament on Wednesday, 21 June, when they face Scotland at Queens Sports Club at 8am Irish time.