From the moment it left the bat, that ball was headed way over the rope, but Wilson was determined to change that.
If this is the quality on display in the first round, just imagine how good this tournament will be when the big boys turn up.
Titillating.
Why Not Let Teams Touring England Play First-Class Matches Against Ireland?
Aug 28, 2015
Ireland's batsman William Porterfield is bowled out by Australia's Mitchell Starc during the one day international cricket match at Stormont, Belfast, Northern Ireland, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
During Thursday’s one-day international between Ireland and Australia, former England player Steve Harmison raised a point worth pondering. In order to help cricket in Ireland grow, why not let the teams touring England play Ireland in a first-class match or an unofficial Test?
This is a brilliant idea. Considering teams will in all likelihood play some sort of warm-up matches anyway, probably against a weakened county second XI, there is definitely room in the schedule. This is a small change that could have an immense impact for Irish cricket. Not only will it offer some of the young players incentive and a taste of the longest format of the game, but it could also help with a small revenue boost.
With a little bit of help, these matches could be broadcast and the money that Ireland earn from these broadcasts could help them grow the game at all levels. It can also offer a small financial incentive for players who stick with the programme. While it’s still not comparable to the lucrative money on offer from some of the world’s big teams, it will be a small step in the right direction.
Love the fact that matches like Ireland vs Australia are being live telecasted in India. Shows the growing popularity of cricket. #IREvAUS
There is a saying that goes: You only get smarter by playing the smarter opponent. As Ireland proved in the one-day game against Australia, they are by no means a team to be taken lightly. Although their inexperience let them down toward the end, they were by no means a walkover. Test cricket and one-day cricket are two very different things, of course, but the more Ireland play, the better they will get. It certainly cannot be worse than the one-sided Ashes series that England and Australia have just completed.
Cricket is one of the fastest growing sports in Ireland, and to ignore the potential the game has in the country would be an insult to the people of Ireland. The game cannot afford to live such an insular existence.
@tom7p I know. I never heard of cricket til Ireland did well in 2007 and now I'm obsessed . It won't keep growing if we're left out.
Test cricket has, for too long, been something that is reserved for an elite few. The pathway to becoming a Test-playing side seems virtually non-existent. It might remain that way for some time yet, but in order to help other countries grow, you have to work with what you’ve got.
Ireland have lost some of their talented players to England because those players wanted a better career opportunity and the opportunity to play Test cricket. While playing a few so-called “warm-up fixtures” isn’t exactly Test cricket yet, it does offer some sort of incentive for players to challenge themselves. Add to that the value of the broadcast and you have a formula that could have a massive impact on the game.
Sure, the weather will be a problem, but that’s not stopped cricket being played in Ireland before, has it? If the weather is the primary concern, allow Ireland to play in England, where the weather might be marginally better.
For those who want to grow the game, the options are endless. In reality, though, very few actually want to grow the sport, and the chances of Ireland getting a boost by playing incoming international teams will remain slim until the current stranglehold on power eases.
Will the Cricket World Cup Miss Associates Like Afghanistan and Ireland?
Apr 5, 2015
NELSON, NEW ZEALAND - FEBRUARY 16: Kevin O'Brien, William Porterfield and Niall O'Brien of Ireland celebrate the wicket of Darren Bravo of the West Indies during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup match between the West Indies and Ireland at Saxton Field on February 16, 2015 in Nelson, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
William Porterfield did not hold back when asked for his thoughts on the 2019 Cricket World Cup being cut to 10 teams: “They are closing the door on a lot of teams progressing throughout the world and that's sad to see.”
The Ireland captain has been vocal in his disappointment at the decision taken by the International Cricket Council to alter the structure of the next tournament, which will be staged in England.
He has also used social media to argue his case against change, via his Twitter account:
. @ICC so memorable and inspiring that you have decided to cut the next WC to 10 teams. What is your vision for the game of cricket?
The 2015 World Cup saw 14 nations involved, including four Associates: Afghanistan, Ireland, Scotland and United Arab Emirates.
Unlike the 10 Full Members of the ICC, the quartet had to qualify to earn their places at the top table.
They will have to do the same for the next tournament, only now the goalposts have been moved. Well, actually it's more like they've been halved in size.
The hosts (England should be thankful they have been given a free pass too, considering their miserable efforts in Australia and New Zealand) and the top seven teams in the ICC ODI rankings at the end of September 2017 will be certain of a place.
The remaining two spots will be decided at the 2018 Cricket World Cup Qualifier, which will be staged in Bangladesh.
Here is the planned format for the next Cricket World Cup - which will be held in England and Wales in 2019 #SSNHQpic.twitter.com/yT59vFAVUg
With two Full Members certain to be involved in that qualification tournament, there is the real possibility that all of the Associates could end up being spectators like the rest of us in 2019.
At a time when rugby union is considering expanding their World Cup, the ICC has decided to downsize.
In an interview with Simon Crawford of Sportinglife (which is where the opening quote also came from), Porterfield lobbied against the reforms:
A lot of other sports are openly coming out and saying they want to expand with rugby being the latest, just six months before their own World Cup is due to start.
You also see it in football - Gibraltar scored their first competitive goal last weekend when they played Scotland so credit to UEFA and FIFA for growing their sport and giving all countries a chance.
But the ICC seems intent on contracting our game so it will be interesting to see what happens.
They tried to reduce numbers for this World Cup but it was overturned so hopefully the same will happen.
He is not the only one who feels strongly about the situation.
Ex-India captain Rahul Dravid also spoke out against the proposal: “I just know how important this is for the growth of their game to be seen at a World Cup, the games being telecast live back home in terms of sponsorship, government funding. It’s so important for them to be a part of this premier event.”
ESPN Cricinfo’s Melinda Farrell reported that the great Sachin Tendulkar—who was part of the presentation committee at the World Cup final—had gone so far as to suggest the World Cup should include 25 teams.
The 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean had 16 participants, split into four groups of four.
That system was fine for the ICC until India lost to Bangladesh, meaning one of its powerhouse nations failed to qualify for the Super Eight stage.
Ireland did, however, make it through eight years ago. They toppled Pakistan and tied with Zimbabwe to get out of Group D.
In 2011 they would stun England, while this year Porterfield and his players got the better of West Indies in their opening World Cup fixture and also recorded wins over Zimbabwe and UAE.
Although they missed out on qualifying for the knockout stages on net run-rate, their performances further cemented their reputation for punching above their weight.
Afghanistan would like to be afforded enough opportunities to gain similar notoriety to their Irish counterparts.
Their rise has been rapid, not to mention inspiring, since they received ICC membership in 2001. At the World Cup in 2015 they won plenty of admirers, as well as a match.
The celebrations when Shapoor Zadran—who became a cult hero due to his long, flowing hair and desire to run in from the boundary rope—hit the winning runs to beat fellow Associate Scotland by one wicket provided one of the best images of the entire event.
Such sights could be a thing of the past, unless the ICC has a change of heart in a hurry.
CEO Dave Richardson, per The Guardian, did not recently hint at a reversal, he said: “There are lots of commercial implications to consider. We also need to have a look at the attendances at all the associate games, what were the viewing figures, and see where they really stand.”
It would be a shame if cricket's governing body remains deaf to the chorus of disapproval (including an online petition signed by over 20,000 people who are against a 10-team World Cup).
The ICC needs to care less about protecting its own and more about projecting the game beyond its current borders.
Ray Stefani on statslife.org.uk showed how more can actually mean less, outlining in an excellent article why a 15-team World Cup could see an expansion in participants without it meaning an extension of the schedule.
Afghanistan and Ireland would definitely back that idea. Without exposure at the highest level, they cannot be expected to thrive.
Ireland Edge out UAE in Thriller at 2015 Cricket World Cup and More from Day 12
Feb 25, 2015
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 25: George Dockrell of Ireland celebrates winning the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup match between Ireland and the United Arab Emirates at The Gabba on February 25, 2015 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Another gripping contest between Associate nations. Another memorable Cricket World Cup spectacle. Another tirade of criticism for the International Cricket Council.
That's essentially what Day 12 of the World Cup brought us.
For ICC chief executive David Richardson, he just can't seem to escape his own words.
"The World Cup itself, the premium event, without exception should be played between teams that are evenly matched and competitive," Richardson told Nagraj Gollapudi of ESPN Cricinfo in early February, while defending the governing body's contentious decision to restrict the 2019 and 2023 World Cups to just 10 teams, effectively ruling out the participation of Associate nations.
That line has haunted Richardson ever since, with the Associates consistently proving themselves worthy of their presence at this World Cup, and, pleasingly, delivering some of the most "evenly matched" games of the tournament so far.
On Wednesday, it was Ireland and the United Arab Emirates who did the trick again, just a day after Irish captain William Porterfield had launched a scathing attack on the ICC and its plans for exclusivity.
Based on his team's display at the Gabba in Brisbane, he has a point.
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 25: Alex Cusack and George Dockrell of Ireland celebrate winning the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup match between Ireland and the United Arab Emirates at The Gabba on February 25, 2015 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris H
Chasing an imposing target of 279 set by the UAE, Ireland overcame a sluggish start and a middle-order wobble to reach the required total in thrilling fashion with just two wickets and four balls to spare. (You can find our match report here.)
Led by a ferocious half-century by Kevin O'Brien and a well-compiled 80 from Gary Wilson, Porterfield's men stormed to a second consecutive victory after the UAE had looked on the verge of causing an upset with their first ever World Cup win.
Indeed, a memorable hundred for Shaiman Anwar—who was ably assisted by Amjad Javed—steered the men in black into a position of dominance following a top-order stumble. And when Mohammad Tauqir and Manjula Guruge stifled the Irish to restrict them to 97 for four after 25 overs, a landmark day felt on the cards for the UAE.
But Ireland, who have now completed four of the 10 highest successful chases in World Cup history, produced a late onslaught to not only deny the UAE in a thrilling affair, but to also provide a massive boost to their chances for progression into the quarter-finals.
There's still a lot of ambiguity surrounding the phrase, "the luck of the Irish." Some interpretations insist that it's ironic—that it refers to bad luck, not good luck. Others point towards an optimistic outlook held by the Irish in trying circumstances.
But whatever the phrase's meaning is, it was being said all over the cricketing world on Wednesday when Ireland batsman Ed Joyce experienced a moment of truly spectacular luck.
Facing up to Javed, the left-hander played and missed, seeing the ball clip the off-stump and triggering the LED lights in the stumps and bails.
Somehow, however, the right bail, after rising from its groove, came back down and landed in place, affording Joyce a remarkable reprieve.
Shaiman Anwar Becomes UAE's 1st World Cup Centurion
At 78 for four, and then later at 125 for five, the UAE's hopes of setting a strong first-innings total had suddenly looked bleak after a bright opening partnership between Amjad Ali and Andri Berenger.
Enter Anwar.
Despite never registering a score of more than 67 at this level, the 35-year-old sparkled in the final 20 overs for his side.
First alongside Khurram Khan and then aided by Javed, the right-hander crashed 10 fours and one six on his way to a stunning 106 from just 83 deliveries.
Impressively comfortable on the back foot on a bouncy Brisbane surface, the number six scored his runs all around the ground (you can see his wagon wheel here) and launched a colossal blow off George Dockrell deep into the stand over mid-wicket.
Emirati Excellence! The 7th wicket partnership between Anwar and Javed (107) is the highest for the 7th wicket in World Cups! #IREvUAE
Inside-out strikes over cover and mid-off were also a feature of his innings, with his outstanding performance propelling the UAE to the nation's third highest score in one-day international cricket.
Shot of the Day
This O'Brien special was undoubtedly the day's best:
Thursday at the World Cup will serve up a Pool A double-header.
At the University Oval in Dunedin, Afghanistan will take on Scotland in a must-win encounter for both sides, while Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will do battle at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with both teams currently well placed in their group.
Ireland vs. Scotland, 1st ODI: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview
Sep 6, 2014
Ireland's Tim Murtagh, second right, celebrates with his teammates the wicket of United Arab Emirates's captain Khurram Khan, left, during their ICC Twenty20 Cricket World Cup match in Sylhet, Bangladesh, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. (AP Photo/A.M. Ahad)
As preparations for next year’s Cricket World Cup continue apace, Scotland begins a three-match one-day international series in Ireland.
The Irish should have more than enough as one of the top Associate nations in the world, but they may be caused some problems by a Scottish team that has both youth and experience.
Venue: The Village, Malahide, Dublin
Date: Monday, September 8
Start time: 10:15 a.m. BST
Live on: Cricket Ireland’s YouTube Channel, www.cricketireland.ie, www.cricketscotland.com.
Weather: According to Weather.com, Dublin looks mostly sunny for this first game, although temperatures will be a little on the low side and only peak at around 14 degrees Celsius.
Overview
At the end of their international summer, Ireland welcome Scotland for a three-match ODI series that they hope will be helpful in Cricket World Cup preparations.
For Ireland, it will be their first international fixtures since July, when they lost 2-0 at home to Sri Lanka A, having also lost to the full Sri Lankan side the previous month.
There is some good news for the Irish in the form of seamer John Mooney, who returns to their squad having left their tour of the Caribbean in February with a stress-related illness.
He is brought in alongside captain Kevin O’Brien, spinner George Dockrell and seamer Max Sorensen, while opener Ed Joyce is unavailable for this series.
Meanwhile, Scotland come into this series off the back of a series at home to New Zealand A last month, which ended with the Black Caps taking a 2-0 win.
The Saltires have not sprung any major surprises in their squad for this series, with the experienced Majid Haq and Richie Berrington likely to play a big role for their side.
This series also comes weeks before both teams set off for Australia to play a familiarisation tour as part of their preparations for the Cricket World Cup.
Scotland will play three games, and Ireland will play four, as all the qualifying teams are given more time to acclimatise to conditions Down Under.
Team News
Ireland (from): Kevin O'Brien (capt), John Anderson, Andrew Balbirnie, George Dockrell, John Mooney, Andrew McBrine, Graeme McCarter, Andrew Poynter, Stuart Poynter, Max Sorensen, Stuart Thompson, Andrew White, Craig Young
Back in the Ireland squad and with the added responsibility of the captaincy, Kevin O’Brien will be crucial for this Irish team in this match.
If he can bat with his usual aggression and contribute some valuable overs with his seam bowling—all while leading the team—the hosts will be in a great position to take victory.
Majid Haq
One of Scotland’s most experienced campaigners, Majid Haq remains a vital part of their side with both bat and ball.
If he is on form, the Scots will be hopeful of springing a surprise against their opponents.
Ireland vs. Sri Lanka, 2nd ODI: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview
May 7, 2014
MOHALI, INDIA - MARCH 11: Gary Wilson (L) and Ed Joyce of Ireland batting during the 2011 ICC World Cup Group B match between Ireland and the West Indies at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium on March 11, 2011 in Mohali, India. (Photo by Graham Crouch/Getty Images)
Ireland face Sri Lanka in the second of two one-day internationals on Thursday after the visitors cruised to a comfortable victory in the first match of their tour on Tuesday.
Venue:Clontarf Cricket Club Ground, Dublin
Date: Thursday, May 8, 2014
Start time: 10:45 a.m. BST
Live on: YouTube, Cricket Ireland official website
Weather: The Weather Channel is predicting a cool, windy day of 14 degrees Celsius with showers likely to affect play throughout the morning and afternoon.
Overview
There's something of a hoodoo for Ireland when it comes to the Clontarf ground in Dublin. Despite the fact that the nation is enjoying its best era in the sport, Castle Avenue continues to witness opportunities being missed by the home side.
That was again the case on Tuesday, as William Porterfield's men collapsed to be all out for 140 in their chase of Sri Lanka's rather modest total of 219-8.
As expected, the tourists' spinning duo of Ajantha Mendis and Sachithra Senanayake caused an array of problems for the hosts, while Suranga Lakmal and Nuwan Kulasekara enjoyed the seam-friendly conditions that were available with the new ball.
It was two of those aforementioned men who thwarted Ireland in the game's first innings as well. After the Irish seamers had skilfully utilised the familiar conditions, Kulasekara and Mendis finished the Sri Lankan innings with a flurry to push the visitors' total beyond 200.
Ireland responded with its lowest ever one-day international total at the ground.
Now, both teams will look to Thursday's encounter as another opportunity. For the home side, it's another chance to claim their first win over a Test-playing nation at Clontarf, while Sri Lanka will look to build further momentum ahead of their clashes with England in two weeks' time.
Squads
Ireland
William Porterfield (c), Alex Cusack, George Dockrell, Ed Joyce, Andy McBrine, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O'Brien, Niall O'Brien, Andrew Poynter, Max Sorensen, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Gary Wilson (wk)
Ed Joyce was dismissed without scoring on Tuesday when the impressive Lakmal claimed his wicket with an edge to Dinesh Chandimal. In a low-scoring affair, it was a critical moment.
Having played for England in the early part of his international career, Joyce is Ireland's most reliable middle-order player and has been critical to the nation's recent run of success.
If the hosts are to repel the world-class limited-overs bowling attack residing within the Sri Lankan camp, Joyce must make a key contribution.
Sri Lanka
Kusal Perera suffered the same fate as Joyce on Tuesday, departing without a run to his name in the game's first over.
However, expect the explosive left-hander to turn that around on Thursday as he looks to kick-start an impressive campaign on foreign soil.
Possessing an uncanny similarity to the great Sanath Jayasuriya, Perera is capable of taking Ireland's seam attack apart with his flashing drives and lightning wrists, and could take the game away from the hosts in a matter of minutes.
Prediction
Ireland have deservedly claimed the "giant killer" tag across the last few years, with a recent victory over the West Indies in the Caribbean representing a fine example of this team's abilities.
However, Angelo Mathews' Sri Lankan side is a formidable opponent at present and will have been buoyed by the capture of the ICC World Twenty20 trophy in Bangladesh last month.
With a world-class bowling attack and a long batting line-up, Sri Lanka should secure the series on Thursday if rain doesn't prevent a result from being reached.
Ireland vs. Sri Lanka, 1st ODI: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview
May 4, 2014
Ireland's Ed Joyce, left, and captain William Porterfield run between the wickets during their ICC Twenty20 Cricket World Cup match against United Arab Emirates in Sylhet, Bangladesh, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. (AP Photo/A.M. Ahad)
Sri Lanka’s summer tour of England begins with two one-day internationals in Ireland, with the Test hopefuls keen to spring a surprise on their more established visitors.
Weather: According to Weather.com, Dublin will be a little on the windy side with a chance of rain throughout the day. Temperatures are unlikely to get much above 13 degrees Celsius.
Overview
As part of their preparations for their international series, Sri Lanka begin on the other side of the Irish Sea with two one-day internationals against Ireland in Dublin.
Ireland last played in the World Twenty20 in late March and were unlucky not to advance beyond the initial group stage due to their marginally inferior net run rate.
Since then, plenty of their players have been gaining a good amount of time on the field in English county cricket, with Niall O’Brien making a good impression recently with 133 for Leicestershire against Glamorgan.
In the bowling department, spinner George Dockrell will once again play a leading role despite not playing for Somerset’s first team this year, while Tim Murtagh and Max Sorensen will lead the seamers.
They will still be on a high from their victory in the World Twenty20, although it is unclear how the loss of coach Paul Farbrace to England will affect them.
He was replaced by Marvan Atapattu, who has been promoted from batting coach and will be assisted by Ruwan Kalpage.
In his first squad, Atapattu chose an experienced and strong squad for these two matches, which will serve as a useful warm-up before three one-day matches against English county sides.
Team News
Ireland (from): William Porterfield (capt.), Alex Cusack, George Dockrell, Ed Joyce, Andy McBrine, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O'Brien, Niall O'Brien, Andrew Poynter, Max Sorensen, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Gary Wilson
With his explosive batting in the top order and his leadership qualities, Porterfield will be relied upon in a big way during this game.
He has had a good start to the year with Warwickshire and will be keen for that to continue.
Angelo Mathews
Sri Lankan captain Mathews remains a crucial player for his team with both bat and ball and will be looking for a strong start to this tour.
He will want to lead in all aspects and has shown himself in the past to be enormously capable of doing so.
World T20 2014: Ireland vs. Netherlands Live Stream, Form and Key Stats
Mar 20, 2014
Ireland's Kevin O'Brien, second form left, shakes hand with Netherlands' cricketers after winning the game by six wickets during a Cricket World Cup match between Ireland and Netherlands in Calcutta, India, Friday, March 18, 2011. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)
Ireland vs. Netherlands concludes the first round of World T20 matches on Friday, with everything still to play for.
The Irish remain favourites to qualify from Group B, having already dispatched Zimbabwe via a thrilling last-ball victory and then taking care of the United Arab Emirates with ease.
However, as we have already seen in Hong Kong's win over Bangladesh in Group A, anything can happen in these games if complacency is allowed to creep in.
The Irish have some big hitters, Paul Stirling chief amongst them.
Irish opener Paul Stirling has recovered from the injury sustained earlier in the tournament against the UAE. Although batting success eluded him in that match, two quick wickets added to his resume.
It followed a monstrous knock in the opener against Zimbabwe. Four successive boundaries in the first over, per Firdose Moonda of ESPNCricInfo, set him up for a 60 score in his teams 164 for 7.
Ed Joyce and William Porterfield have also contributed well with the bat. Joyce—with scores of 22 and 43—and Porterfield—with 31 and 33 over the two innings—evidence a competent and comfortable top order.
The game will quickly be taken away from the Netherlands if their bowlers are unable to get an early foothold in the game.
Captain Peter Borren was pleased with his bowling attack and fielders during the loss to Zimbabwe, but felt let down by his top order, which collapsed to 35-4.
Despite this, Netherland's Tom Cooper is still the second highest run scorer in the tournament, due in no small part to a 72 not out in the Zimbabwe game.
A similar knock will be a major factor in whether the Dutch can upset the odds.
Key Stats
Netherlands can still go through if they curtail the Irish innings and push up their own run-rate.
Ireland can afford to lose this match and still go through to the Super10 stage of the competition.
The Netherlands have to win and ensure that their run rate is that much higher than that of the other match in the group.
Zimbabwe have an outside chance of qualification but would have to win their game by the largest run rate of the three teams.
Ireland vs. Netherlands, World T20: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview
Mar 19, 2014
Ireland's Ed Joyce, left, and captain William Porterfield run between the wickets during their ICC Twenty20 Cricket World Cup match against United Arab Emirates in Sylhet, Bangladesh, Wednesday, March 19, 2014. (AP Photo/A.M. Ahad)
Ireland and the Netherlands conclude their World Twenty20 Group B campaigns on Friday, having both experienced differing fortunes in the tournament.
Venue: Sylhet Stadium
Date: Friday, March 21
Start time: 9:30 a.m. GMT
Live on: Sky Sports (UK), Fox Sports (Australia), Super Sport (South Africa), BTV (Bangladesh), PTV Sports (Pakistan), Star India (India), SLBC (Sri Lanka), ESPN3 (USA)
Weather: It promises to be a sunny day in Sylhet according to Weather.com, with temperatures touching 33 degrees Celsius.
Overview
Ireland are virtually assured of qualification to the Super 10, although with Zimbabwe facing the United Arab Emirates in the other game, they will want a victory here to be sure.
Last time out, the Irish beat UAE by 21 runs, thanks to the Duckworth/Lewis Method.
Bowling first, Kevin O’Brien and Paul Stirling led the effort for Ireland with two wickets apiece as they managed to restrict UAE, 123-5.
Rain affected Ireland’s response, although William Porterfield’s unbeaten 33 and 43 from Ed Joyce ensured they were always ahead of the required run rate.
The weather ended Ireland’s innings with them 103-3 from 14.2 overs, a full 21 runs ahead of where they needed to be, according to Duckworth/Lewis.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands lost by five wickets to Zimbabwe in a match that went down to the last ball.
The Dutch batted first and made 140-5 from their 20 overs, thanks in large part to 72 from Tom Cooper at No. 5.
However, with one run required from the last ball for a Zimbabwe win, Vusi Sibanda hit the final delivery for six to ensure the ICC Full Members are still alive in the tournament.
It means that Ireland are top of Group B with four points, with Zimbabwe in second with two points.
The Netherlands are third—also with two points—with Zimbabwe now hoping the Irish will slip up against the Dutch.
Squads
Ireland (from): William Porterfield (captain), Alex Cusack, George Dockrell, Ed Joyce, Andrew McBrine, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O'Brien, Niall O'Brien, Andrew Poynter, Max Sorensen, James Shannon, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Gary Wilson, Craig Young.
Netherlands (from): Peter Borren (captain), Wesley Barresi, Logan van Beek, Mudassar Bukhari, Ben Cooper, Tim Gruijters, Timm van der Gugten, Tom Heggelman, Vivian Kingma, Ahsan Malik, Stephan Myburgh, Michael Rippon, Pieter Seelaar, Michael Swart, Eric Szwarczynski.
Key Players
Paul Stirling
With his aggressive strokes at the top of the order, Paul Stirling has helped Ireland build strong platforms.
He will want to assert himself against the new ball once again, having shown himself to be capable of adapting to the slow conditions.
Tom Cooper
The second-highest run scorer in the tournament, Tom Cooper will need to be on form again if the Netherlands are to be successful.
With a good amount of experience in Australian state cricket, Cooper has already had a massive impact for the Dutch.
