Ireland clinch historic T20I victory over South Africa: Details
Team Ireland has scripted history by recording their maiden international win against South Africa. They triumphed in the second match of the three-T20I series, played at Abu Dhabi's Zayed Cricket Stadium. The win was highlighted by a record-breaking total for Ireland against South Africa, which they managed to defend. With this win, Ireland also became the first team to win a match batting first at this venue in the last eight T20Is.
Ross Adair's century sets the stage for Ireland's victory
Ross Adair, one-half of the brother duo who took the field in this match, smashed a quick-fire century off just 57 balls. Not only was this his maiden T20I ton, but it also became Ireland's third individual century in this format. His younger sibling, Mark Adair, did his bit for the win with a stellar bowling performance, claiming 4 wickets for 31 runs. Together with captain Paul Stirling, Ross stitched up Ireland's second-highest opening stand in T20Is (137).
South Africa's chase falls short despite Hendricks and Breetzke's efforts
Despite Reeza Hendricks scoring his second consecutive half-century and Matthew Breetzke notching up his first, South Africa fell short in their chase. The Proteas were left needing 108 runs from the final 10 overs with nine wickets remaining, and 53 from the last five overs with seven wickets in hand. However, Mark Adair's crucial bowling spell triggered a batting collapse that saw South Africa lose five wickets for just 25 runs, ultimately falling short by 11 runs.
Ross Adair's innings marked by near misses and sixes
Ross Adair's century was a masterclass in all-round hitting, even with a few close calls along the way. He narrowly dodged getting out five times during his innings. But those near misses didn't hold him back; he charged ahead to score a blistering 100 off just 57 balls, smashing nine sixes—the most by an Irish batter in T20Is. He also hit five fours. Meanwhile, Stirling made a 32-ball 51.
South Africa's bowling efforts and Humphreys's birthday gift
South Africa's bowlers really brought their A-game, and Lungi Ngidi was the star of the show. He ended up with mind-blowing figures of 1/23 in four overs, including a delivery that completely bamboozled Neil Rock. Meanwhile, Matthew Humphreys had double the joy on his 22nd birthday, as he took his first wicket of the series for Ireland, and what a wicket it was—Aiden Markram!
