T20 World Cup: Improved Ireland up for the challenge: Ireland are well-placed among all the other Group members. Playing in the T20 World Cup is not new for the Irish players but winning games will certainly be something they will cherish. 2021 T20 WC is their sixth appearance as they have continuously been making it through since 2009. In these 12 years, Ireland Cricket has seen the Ups and Downs and has developed as a team. This year, they have the right blend of youth and experience under captain Andrew Balbirnie.
Also Read: T20 World Cup: Can Bangladesh turn their fortunes under leader Mahmudullah? Check squad and fixtures
T20 World Cup: Andrew Balbirnie-led Ireland will hope to bring their old self- Check Squad and Fixtures
Ireland had a great start to the T20 WC campaign as they had beaten Bangladesh in 2009 and they even managed to qualify for the Super 8 stages. But what followed since then was something they will want to learn from. In the 2009 edition and the two tournaments thereafter, they went winless for eight games in a row. The disappointment kept on coming in the next two editions as well.
Ireland have perfect blend of youth and experience: In 2014, Ireland failed to go past the Group stage following a heavy defeat from the Netherlands while in 2016, they had to go home without a win for the third time. But in the past five years, Ireland has grown. As Paul Stirling, Kevin O’Brien, Simi Singh, and Andrew Balbirnie bring in experience, Mark Adair, Gareth Delany, Curtis Campher, among other youngsters are making their presence felt in their short careers so far and will be eager to make an impact on the big stage.
T20 World Cup: Andrew Balbirnie-led Ireland will hope to bring their old self- Check Squad and Fixtures
Ireland Squad
Andrew Balbirnie (c), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Kevin O’Brien, Neil Rock, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young.
Ireland FIxtures
18 Oct – v Netherlands, Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
20 Oct – v Sri Lanka, Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
22 Oct – v Namibia, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
Editors pick
