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Minnows Ireland pulled off a huge upset on Wednesday, surprising number two-ranked England by five runs in a rain-affected match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Put in to bat first, Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie (62 off 47) guided his team to 92-1 in the first ten overs, but after a mid-order collapse, they got bundled out for 157 in 19.2 overs.
In reply, England slumped to 29-3 with just one boundary in the first five overs as the Irish pacers didn’t allow them to play big shots. After the powerplay overs, England tried to gain some momentum but lost the wickets of Harry Brook and Dawid Malan in the process.
Just when Moeen Ali was getting into his stride, rain halted the play, with England’s score reading 105-5 off 14.3 overs. Jos Buttler & Co. was five runs behind the DLS scoring method as the game was called off, giving Balbirnie’s men another famous victory in the ongoing T20 World Cup.
Ireland defeated West Indies in the first round and knocked them out of the tournament.
“We haven’t played a game here, to come and play the tournament favorites, with so many big names and to put on a show is very satisfying. We had a great week in Hobart and to do this was at one of the biggest grounds is pretty special,” said the Irish skipper Balbirnie in post-match presentation.
Here is how cricket fraternity reacted on Twitter:
Congrats Ireland. Better team on the day #T20WC2022
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) October 26, 2022
What a win for @cricketireland. They have done a brilliant job in upsetting the favourites, England. Their batting and bowling were top-notch today 🙌🏾 This World Cup is turning out all about the underdogs! #ENGvIRE #T20WorldCup
— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) October 26, 2022
Ireland have now hammered the West Indies & now beaten England .. Throughly deserved .. #ICCT20WorldCup2022
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) October 26, 2022
With some help fro mm rain off course but Ireland beating England by 5 runs. #ENGvIRE pic.twitter.com/rLWFZavf4W
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) October 26, 2022
This is huge for Ireland!
DLS or not they were ahead, they played a great game! @cricketireland @T20WorldCup #ENGvIRE— Urooj Mumtaz Khan (@uroojmumtazkhan) October 26, 2022
— Damien Martyn🏏 (@damienmartyn) October 26, 2022
Match summary
Cc: @MichaelVaughan 😄 #ENGvIRE pic.twitter.com/o4HzOIGyfN— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) October 26, 2022
Ireland win at the MCG via DLS.
Well done @cricketireland 🍀#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/sqIfwgkw7P
— England's Barmy Army 🏴🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) October 26, 2022
Ireland deserved winners. Most of the big teams dropping points. This super 12 is something else #ENGvIRE
— Bazid Khan (@bazidkhan81) October 26, 2022
🇮🇪 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🕺🏾🕺🏾🕺🏾🕺🏾🕺🏾🕺🏾
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) October 26, 2022
Ireland beat England. Another shock result at this very interesting tournament #T20WorldCup #ENGvIRE
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) October 26, 2022
Well, that's it! Ireland win. And they deserve it – they really outplayed England. This group is wide open and the Aus v England match on Friday should be an absolute doozy. #ENGvIRE #T20WorldCup
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) October 26, 2022
A captain's knock 💪
Andy Balbirnie's crucial fifty makes him the @aramco POTM 👊 pic.twitter.com/9Ld0VH4Iv6
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 26, 2022
Strong in 2011. Stronger in 2022. Historic. ☘️#IREvENG pic.twitter.com/reRd6YISZX
— Barbados Royals (@BarbadosRoyals) October 26, 2022
Just look what it means ❤️#IREvENG #BackingGreen #T20WorldCup ☘️🏏 pic.twitter.com/esrWfiszEJ
— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) October 26, 2022
IRELAND BEAT ENGLAND AT THE G! INCREDIBLE #T20WorldCUp
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 26, 2022
The last time Ireland beat England in a World Cup, India went on to win the World Cup 🤞
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) October 26, 2022
Ireland beat England in World Cup 2011 in Bengaluru by 3 wickets
Ireland beat England in T20 World Cup in Melbourne by 5 runs (DLS method)
Paul Stirling & George Dockrell were part of both these wins!
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) October 26, 2022