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Ireland scripted history at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on September 29 as they beat T20 World Cup 2024 runner-ups South Africa for the first time in T20Is. Ross Adair scored his maiden century whereas his brother Mark Adair took four wickets as Ireland beat South Africa by 10 runs to level the series 1-1.
Openers unsettle Proteas bowlers
South Africa skipper Aiden Markram won the toss and opted to bowl first. Skipper Paul Stirling and Ross dominated and powerplay overs scoring 59 runs. In the ninth over, Ross hit Bjorn Fortuin for a six to reach his half-century from 32 balls. In the 13th over, Stirling reached his 24th T20I fifty from 29 balls. In the same over, Patrick Kruger broke the partnership with a slower ball. Stirling's 31-ball 52 included seven fours and a six. Ireland openers shared a 137-run partnership from 13 overs.
Ross’ maiden ton
On the next ball, Ross got a lifeline as his catch was dropped by Lizaad Williams and the ball went for a six. Williams tried to make for it by knocking over Harry Tector. In the 17th over, Ross reached his maiden T20I ton from 57 balls. The next ball he faced from Wiaan Mulder, he hit it straight to deep mid-wicket fielder Matthew Breetzke. Ross hit nine sixes in his knock, the most by an Ireland batter in an innings. Wiaan Mulder stuck again and dismissed Curtis Campher for a golden duck. Neil Rock and Mark could not do much damage and were dismissed cheaply. George Dockrell’s unbeate 13-ball 20 helped Ireland post 195/6.
Ideal start to run chase
South Africa's run chase got off to an ideal start with Ryan Rickelton hitting big. In the sixth over, Graham Hume got the breakthrough. Rickelton tried to go for aerial route but the top edge carried to Campher. Rickelton scored 36 runs from 22 balls including four sixes. After powerplay overs, South Africa were 53/1. Breetzke took his time whereas Reeza Hendricks accelerated. South Africa were 88/1 at the halfway stage. In the 12th over, Henricks hit three fours off Fionn Hand to reach his fifty from 31 balls. In the next over, he lost his wicket to Benjamin White for a 32-ball 51.
Mark’s triple strike
Markram got off the mark with a six. In the 14th over, he got bowled by Matthew Humphreys. Breetzke and Tristan Stubbs tried to keep the run chase alive but the latter fell to Mark for a single-digit score. Breetke reached his fifty from 34 balls. Hume bowled a brilliant five-run over to put pressure on the Proteas. In the penultimate over, Mark struck thrice to dismiss Mulder, Breetzke and Nqaba Peter. Mulder and Peter registered single-digit scores whereas Breetzke contributed with a 41-ball 51. In the final over, South Africa needed 18 runs. Hume dismissed Kruger and Williams as South Africa managed to post 185/9 and lost by 10 runs.
Tough times for South Africa
South Africa have had a rough patch since their loss to India in T20 World Cup 2024 final. Earlier this month, they lost their first ever ODI match to Afghanistan and then the series. Now, South Africa lost to Ireland after six consecutive wins.
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