Ireland’s Curtis Campher and George Dockrell combined in a devastating, unbroken 119-run stand to take their side to an unlikely six-wicket win over Scotland that keeps Group B well and truly alive before Friday’s final round of matches.
The Irish looked headed for a second straight defeat in Group B when they were reduced to 61/4 in the 10th over chasing a daunting 177-run target to stay alive in the T20 World Cup before Campher and Dockrell came together at the crease.
Campher, who also picked up two wickets for nine runs with the ball, smashed an unbeaten 72 off 32 balls while Dockrell stayed for 39 not out as Ireland turned the match on its head to bring up victory with an over to spare.
A sparkling 86 from opener Michael Jones helped Scotland post 176/5 after they won the toss and chose to bat here.
After humbling two-time champions West Indies in their opening match on Monday, Scotland made a shaky start but a 77-run third-wicket stand between Jones and captain Richie Berrington helped them lay the foundation.
Jones hit six fours and four sixes in his 55-ball knock while Berrington made 37 to lay the foundation for the late assault which fetched the Scots 54 runs in the last five overs.
Scotland would have been sensing yet another win when they scalped four Irish wickets but Campher and Dockrell had other ideas.
Their differing strengths caused headaches for the bowlers — Campher, normally a grafter who plays spin well, displaying his array of sweeps and ramps square of the wicket; Dockrell is a strong power hitter who can launch into pace.
The turning point was the 13th over from Mark Watt, which yielded 18 runs as Campher launched into the left-arm spinner. But as much as Campher dominated spin, he was more than happy to deposit seam into the leg side to boot. Dockrell joined in the fun, taking a particular liking to Brad Wheal and Josh Davey. The latter bowled the 19th over with 12 runs required, a trio of boundaries from Campher taking Ireland home with an over to spare.
All-rounder Campher had taken four wickets off four balls against The Netherlands at last year’s World Cup.
Brief scores: Scotland 176/5 in 20 ovs (Michael Jones 86; Curtis Campher 2/9). Ireland 180/4 in 19 ovs (Curtis Campher 72 n.o, George Dockrell 39 n.o). Ireland won by 6 wkts