IRE vs SA

Right then, a historic night for Ireland comes to a close. It is a pity that we won't have a decider as this was only a 2-match series. But what we will have is a 3-match ODI series between the two teams which will begin on Wednesday. Hopefully some more entertaining cricket awaits us, we will be there to bring you all of it. For now it is a good night from Sourabh and Rajarshi.

Paul Stirling (Ireland captain): I think we would have liked 15-20 runs more but they managed to squeeze us in the end again. With the ball, it was a bit less dew so we were able to grip the ball better and made the use of it. You need to spend time at the crease  to get the pace of the wicket. With new batters coming in, you always have a chance. Absolutely delighted, over the moon to get a win (against South Africa). We would like to take the momentum into the ODI series coming up.

Ross Adair is the Player of the Series, here are his words as he has a chat again: The South Africans are brilliant, I have come from a rugby background. They are just as good if not more, would like to travel around the world and get some good knocks. The temperature is a bit different (between Ireland and Abu Dhabi), it is a wonderful place, we have loved playing here.

Aiden Markram (South Africa captain): We though it was chasable for sure. Small moments both with bat and ball, if we could have executed well, comes down to the small moments. Each guy will reflect on how we can make better decisions and ultimately come back better. Back towards the back end, wanted a quick fire 20-30 that would kill the chase but they executed well.

Ross Adair is the Player Of The Match for his 58-ball hundred! Here's what he has to say: Balbo's (Balbirnie) is an important miss, we all know how important he is to the squad. I knew if I stuck in long enough, I'd get a chance eventually. I know we're going to get Andy back at some stage, but I just wanted to put a mark going on. Think I did that. I'm going to have to say the century (on which gives him more pleasure, cricket or rugby) was nice to get one over them on the cricket.

Ireland win by 10 runs and level the series 1-1

Ross Adair 100(58) | Mark Adair 4/31 (4)
Reeza Hendricks 51(32) | Wiaan Mulder 2/51 (4)

Ireland create history and for the first time go past South Africa in the T20 format and it is a special night for them as they level the series up and get a much deserved victory.

If it was Ross Adair with a spectacular century in the first innings, it was time for brother Mark Adair to step up in the second innings, specially in the death to take Ireland to victory.

It seemed like South Africa would cruise home, at one stage they needed 39 off 24 with 6 wickets in hand. But then, the next two overs from Campher and Hume just went for 16 runs and the pressure was back on the Proteas. Then came the Mark Adair 19th over in which the Irish spearhead picked up 3 wickets as the batters did not have any answers to the execution of the bowlers at the death. 

Wickets tumbled in the end, 5 of them fell in a space of 10 balls and from a position of strength South Africa collapsed dramatically to concede a victory.

South Africa got off to a brilliant start with Rickelton blazing off in the powerplay. He got dismissed in the final over of the first 6 but then Breetzkee joined forces with Hendricks and the pair looked comfortable through the middle overs milking the bowlers and getting frequent boundaries. Both of them got to a half-century as well.

But then, as soon as the partnership was broken wickets kept falling at regular intervals and with some brilliant execution and fielding Ireland pipped South Africa. 

19.6 Graham Hume to Lungi Ngidi, IRELAND LEVEL THE SERIES! Back of a length outside off, too quick for Ngidi, who looks to flat-bat this down the ground and can merely skew it towards mid off

19.5 Graham Hume to Lungi Ngidi, low full toss wide of off stump, Ngidi slices this one behind point. Gets a brace as sweeper cover moves to his left and cuts it off

19.4 Graham Hume to Lizaad Williams, in the air... ANOTHER ONE FOR HUME! He went short outside off stump, took all the pace off this one. Williams looked to slash this over point, got a thick edge, the ball bobbled up towards short third, where the catch was taken

Lizaad Williams c Matthew Humphreys b Graham Hume 0(1b, 0x4, 0x6).

19.3 Graham Hume to Patrick Kruger, CLEANS HIM UP! Hume goes at the stumps and gets his man! Fires the yorker in around off, Kruger looked to work it away, missed, the ball ricocheted onto the off stump off his pad. Ireland are almost there!

Patrick Kruger b Graham Hume 5(4b, 1x4, 0x6).

19.2 Graham Hume to Patrick Kruger, thick edge, FOUR! Hume goes wide yorker again, well wide of the batter. Kruger throws his hands at it, gets a thick outside edge and the ball flies over the man at short third