Ireland come up short despite record stand

KEVIN O’BRIEN and Paul Stirling shared a record stand for Ireland in T20 internationals in Muscat yesterday but it wasn’t enough to stop Scotland easing to a six-wicket victory that leaves the old rivals level on one win each after two games of the quadrangular tournament.

The new opening pairing got Ireland off to a flyer, adding 115 from only 70 balls but the middle of the innings stalled after O’Brien was caught at long off for 65 from 38 balls, including four sixes.

Stirling fell for 56 from 42 balls, with two maximums, as only 27 runs were added in six overs before Shane Getkate and George Dockrell helped Ireland to a healthy 180-7.

Scotland raced to 81-0 in the six powerplay overs and despite another promising set of four overs from Pembroke seamer Josh Little and two wickets for Getkate, the Saltires were able to cruise in with nine balls to spare.