Belief key to Ireland’s home Test win

Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie said his side never stopped believing in themselves after they recorded their first win in a home test match with a four-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in Belfast on Sunday.

The hosts were struggling at 21-5 while chasing a target of 158 in the fourth innings but Lorcan Tucker (56) and Andy McBrine (55 not out) built a 96-run partnership for the sixth wicket to help them clinch their second-ever test match win.

“We did believe last night. We had our two best batters out ... that partnership was special,” Balbirnie said after winning the one-off test. “It’s entertaining stuff, can’t watch at times.

We worked hard, got ourselves back a couple times and got through in the end. “There’s no qualification on the line but you see what it means to the team,” Balbirnie added. Reuters

Amir’s valiant spell in vain as Tigers win in GT20

After being asked to bat first, the Tigers were restricted to 144 runs after losing seven wickets in the first innings

The Montreal Tigers secured a dramatic ten-run win against the Vancouver Knights in a thrilling GT20 Canada clash at Brampton.

After being asked to bat first, the Tigers were restricted to 144 runs after losing seven wickets in the first innings. The team faced difficulties, losing seven wickets for just 98 runs.

However, Azmatullah Omarzai scored a crucial 27 from 30 deliveries, Corbin Bosch contributed 35 runs, and Aayan Afzal Khan added 16 runs to the total.

Pakistan’s Mohammad Amir once again displayed an exceptional bowling spell, picking up two crucial wickets of Ashton Agar (0) and Ben Manenti (0). Amir bowled one maiden over and gave away only 11 runs in his four-over spell.