Ireland completed back-to-back wins over Papua New Guinea in a rain-affected T20 International in Townsville to take an unassailable 2-0 series lead.
Will Porterfied’s side had won by five wickets in the first of a three-match series in Queensland on Saturday, and backed that up with a seven-run victory in a contest reduced to 11 overs per side.
Porterfield led from the front with 30 off 15 balls at the top of the order, smacking three fours and a six before being bowled by Assad Vala.
Ireland continued their #WT20 preparations with a 7 run victory over Papua New Guinea: https://t.co/td8w3cV85e pic.twitter.com/utnNuGf0G6
— ICC (@ICC) February 7, 2016
By that stage Vala had already snared Andy Balbirnie for a duck in the third over, but 35 from Stuart Poynter and 13 from Gary Wilson ensure Ireland posted a decent total of 96 for five.
Pipi Raho grabbed 3-11 as the Irish middle order folded, but Papua New Guinea’s reply saw only two batsmen reach double figures.
Vala hit a quick-fire 25 at the top of the order and Norman Vanua added 26 off 15 balls at number nine, as Max Sorensen and George Dockrell grabbed three wickets apiece.
The two sides meet again on Tuesday, with Ireland’s World T20 campaign beginning on March 9 against Oman.
Source: ECB