Colombo, February 14 – Captain Lorcan Tucker and Gareth Delany led Ireland to 235/5 against Oman in a Group B match of the 2026 T20 World Cup here at the Sinhalese Sports Club on Saturday.
Captain Tucker (94), who narrowly missed a century by just six runs, was well supported by Delany, who scored a half-century, and George Dockrell, who provided a late boost as Ireland posted the highest total in this T20 World Cup and the second highest across all editions.
Batting first, Ireland had a poor start as opener Tim Tector was clean bowled by Shakeel on the fifth ball of the innings for just five. His opening partner, Ross Adair (14), who looked in good form, hit three consecutive boundaries in the next over but was caught at mid-on in the third over.
Shakeel claimed his third wicket in the powerplay by dismissing Harry Tector (14) as Ireland were reduced to 47/3 at the end of the powerplay. As Ireland hoped to recover from a shaky start, Aamir Kaleem dismissed Curtis Campher (12) in the eighth over.
With the team reduced to 67/4, Irish captain Tucker forged a historic 101-run partnership with Gareth Delany (56) to help the team stage a remarkable comeback. Tucker and Delany dominated the middle overs by taking on the spinners and scoring 68 runs in six overs.
Oman finally got their breakthrough in the 17th over when Delany was dismissed off Shah Faisal's ball while trying to hit a six. Delany scored 56 runs off just 30 balls and hit three fours and four sixes during his innings. Tucker reached his fifty in just 35 balls with a four.
Tucker then continued his innings, scoring 44 runs off the next 16 balls he faced after crossing the 50-run mark. He then stitched a 70-run stand with Dockrell, who played a brilliant knock of 35 runs off just nine balls, including three sixes in the last three deliveries.
Meanwhile, Tucker missed a century by just six runs as he remained unbeaten on 94, with ten boundaries and four maximums.
For Oman, Shakeel was the most successful bowler. He finished with figures of 3/33, while Aamir and Faisal each took one wicket.
Brief Scores: Ireland 235/5 in 20 overs (Lorcan Tucker 94, Gareth Delany 56, George Dockrell 35; Shakeel Ahmed 3/33, Aamir Kaleem 1/29) against Oman.