Ireland eased their way to a seven-wicket win over Namibia in their opening Group A T20 World Cup qualifying match at Stormont in Belfast.
Having won the toss and deciding to put Namibia into bat, the visitors made 124 for 8 off their allotted 20 overs, a total that Ireland chased down in the 18th over, making 128 for 3.
Namibia started briskly with opener Stephen Baard in particular being hard on 21-year-old Irish bowler Tyrone Kane.
But the introduction of the experienced John Mooney stemmed the runs with the man of the match taking three for 23 off his four overs in an accurate spell
Spinner George Dockrell and Alex Cusack chipped in with two wickets as Namibian batsmen fell at regular intervals, with JJ Smith the best of the Namibians, scoring 21 off 16 deliveries, which included two sixes.
Ireland in reply lost opener Paul Stirling for just one in the first over, but Niall O’Brien, who was elevated up the order, and captain William Porterfield took the score onto 74 before O’Brien holed out in the deep for 45 in the 11th over.
Kevin O’Brien (3) followed shortly after but Porterfield made an unbeaten 56 and Andy Balbirnie made 18 to take Ireland over the line
Ireland have won the last two world T20 qualifiers and this year Cricket Ireland is co-hosting the event with Scotland.
There two qualifying groups with the group winner from the six teams in each going straight into the semi-finals.
Ireland's next match is against the USA in Stormont at 10am on Sunday.
