Ireland’s T20 campaign ends in rain-affected Netherlands loss

Ireland ended a disappointing ICC World Twenty20 campaign with a 12-run defeat to Holland in a match reduced to six overs due to rain in Dharamsala.

Out of contention to qualify for the Super 10 stage after a shock defeat to Oman was followed by a washout against Bangladesh, Will Porterfield’s side failed to chase 60 and finish with a morale-boosting triumph.

Ireland's pursuit started well with 28 runs arriving from the first two overs, with Porterfield flicking the first ball for four and Paul Stirling hitting two sixes, but they were hampered by losing two wickets in as many balls on two occasions.

Kevin O'Brien was the victim of a brilliant full-length diving catch from Pieter Seelaar at deep midwicket, Stirling and Gary Wilson picked out short third man before Andrew Poynter holed out first ball.

With 25 runs required from 12 deliveries, Mudassar Bukhari conceded only five from the penultimate over to leave too much to do from the last, bowled by man of the match Paul van Meekeren, whose four for 11 restricted Ireland to 47 for seven.

Left-arm spinner George Dockrell was key to Ireland, who won the toss before a lengthy delay due to the wet weather, restricting the Dutch to 59 for five by claiming three for seven from his two overs.

Holland's opening batsman Stephan Myburgh struck 27 from 18 balls, hitting two fours in both the first and last overs, until he was run out from the penultimate delivery of the innings.