Ireland vs South Africa, IRE and SA in UAE, 2 T20Is, 2024 Full score card

FOUR! Breetzke hits the winning runs! Low full toss, around off. Breetzke times it through the extra cover and mid-off region, finds the boundary, and South Africa are home by 8 wickets with more than two overs to spare.

Yorker length delivery on off. Breetzke squeezes it to backward point.

WIDE! Lands it full and well outside the tramline. Left alone. Wide signaled.

Slower and fuller, outside off. Markram drives it to sweeper cover for a single.

Full toss, angling into the middle. Markram stabs it to point.

Low full toss, outside off. Breetzke drives it straight to the man at extra cover. Just 4 needed now.

SIX! BANG! Short of a length, angling in. Breetzke picks the length and muscles it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.

Full and at the stumps. Markram eases it to long-on for one.

FOUR! Nicely done! Back of a length, outside off. Markram waits back and guides it in the gap between short third and backward point for a delicate looking boundary.

Another high full toss, outside off. Markram plays and misses. Asks for the no-ball but the umpire deems it to be a fair delivery.

Low full toss, outside off. Breetzke slices it to deep point for a single.

On the pads, Matthew Breetzke clips it to the right of short mid-wicket. He is late in taking off for the single. The fielder has a go at the non-striker's end but misses the stumps. One taken. South Africa now 16 runs away from victory.

Back of a length, outside off. Matthew Breetzke chops it towards extra covers.

Outside off, on a length, Matthew Breetzke taps it out to point.

FOUR! Pierces the gap. It is short, outside off. Matthew Breetzke hangs back and cuts it through the gap at covers for a cracking boundary. What a confident looking stroke this one.

Markram now taps this full ball into covers for one.

Short ball, outside off. Matthew Breetzke stays back, cuts it through point for one.

FOUR! Nicely played. Slower and shorter, outside off. Aiden Markram reverse hits it over short third. The ball races away to the boundary.

An arm ball, around off. Markram defends it out.

Another single now as Matthew Breetzke laps this length ball towards deep square leg.

Short one, outside off. Markram cuts it to point for one.

FOUR! It is full and on off. Aiden Markram clips it over mid on for a boundary.

Fuller one, in around off. Aiden Markram gets it into the leg side off the inner half. No run.

Short one, outside off. Markram punches it into covers and gets off the mark instantly.

OUT! CAUGHT! South Africa lose both their openers in a span of 5 deliveries. Mark Adair goes full, outside off. Ryan Rickelton reaches out, and chips it towards point. Straight down the throat of Curtis Campher who makes no mistake. Aiden Markram is the new batter in.

Short ball, outside off. Matthew Breetzke cuts it into the off side for one.

A sharp bumper this time, on middle and leg. Matthew Breetzke sways away from the line of the delivery.

Length ball, around off, blocked out.

Shorter one, back of a length, outside off. Ryan Rickelton punches it down the park for one.

Matthew Breetzke comes in at number 3.

OUT! LBW! Craig Young draws the first blood here. Reeza Hendricks starts walking off instead of going for the review. It is a length ball, that lands outside off, and nips back in off the deck. Reeza Hendricks is caught inside the crease. He tries to flick it away but misses. The ball sneaks through and pings him on the pads. Young appeals and the finger goes up. Finally a smile across Paul Stirling's face.

Fuller one, on the pads. Ryan Rickelton flicks it into the leg side for one.

Three dots on the trot. A length ball, around off. Ryan Rickelton pushes it towards mid off.

A sharp bumper, outside off. Ryan Rickelton looks to chase it but misses.

Length ball, outside off. Ryan Rickelton pushes it into the off side.

WIDE! Craig Young goes way too full and outside off. This one goes past the tramline. Wide called.

SIX! HUGE! A short ball, aroind off, this one sits up nicely. Ryan Rickelton swivels and smokes it into the leg side for a maximum.

Full ball, outside off. Reeza Hendricks whips it into square leg. South Africa need 44 in 48 now. Less than a run a ball.

SIX! This is out of here. Fionn Hand with a bumper, on the bodyline. Reeza Hendricks swivels and smokes it over the deep square leg fence for a maximum. He brings up his half-century in sublime manner.

NO BALL! A full toss, on the bodyline. Ryan Rickelton pulls it awkwardly into the leg side. They take a single. The umpire signals a no ball for height. The dew is making it difficult for the bowlers now.

BYE! Misses everyone. On a length,  outside off. This one beats the keeper as well. They cross for a bye.

A full toss, on middle. Reeza Hendricks works it towards mid on. They take two runs.

Way too full, outside off. Reeza Hendricks gets it towards deep backward point off the outer half. They take two runs.

Fionn Hand goes full, outside off. Reeza Hendricks squeezes it out into the off side.

Ryan Rickelton now slices this full ball over backward point for two runs. The drinks break has hardly gotten any change in fortunes for the Irish side so far.

SIX! These two batters are frustrating the bowler. Whatever they touch is turning into gold. When it happens from both ends, it is not a pleasing sight for the bowling unit. Short ball, outside off. Ryan Rickelton goes inside-out and smokes it over the covers fence.

Fuller one, on the pads. Reeza Hendricks tucks it into the leg side for one.

SIX! High and handsome. Ben White serves it short, on off. Reeza Hendricks goes on his back foot and smokes it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Back of a length, outside off. Ryan Rickelton chops it towards sweeper cover for a single. 100 up for South Africa.

Flighted ball, outside off. Ryan Rickelton slogs it towards deep square leg for two runs.

Drinks break! A much-needed one for the Irish side. They haven't really been able to threaten the batters so far. South Africa are off to a flier and are a solid position to win this game as well. They need just 75 runs off 60 deliveries with all wickets in hand. Ireland need a wicket as soon as possible.

Around off, pushed into covers for one.

This is tossed up, wide of off. Remains on the right side of the tramline. Ryan Rickelton thought otherwise.

Full ball, on the pads. Reeza Hendricks tucks it into mid-wicket for one.

SIX! Reeza Hendricks now moves to 33. It is flighted and full, on middle. Reeza Hendricks gets low and smokes it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

Ryan Rickelton sweeps this full ball to deep square leg for one.

WIDE! Another extra in this one. Ireland cannot afford looking at the rate at which the Proteas are going. Past the tramline once again, outside off. Ryan Rickelton lets it be.

It is full, wide outside off. Ryan Rickelton gets low and sweeps it to deep square leg for two runs.

WIDE! Harry Tector starts with a loosener here. Way too full and past the tramline outside off. Wide called.

Angles it in, around middle and leg. Ryan Rickelton works it towards long on and takes a single.

Short ball, wide of off. Reeza Hendricks cuts it hard to deep point. One taken.

On the pads, Ryan Rickelton stays back and flicks it into the leg side for one.

LEG BYE! This is floated, around off stump. Reeza Hendricks shuffles across, gets inside the line and tries to sweep it away. He gets hits on his leg though. They cross for a leg bye. Matthew Humphreys appeals for lbw but the umpire show no interest. Ireland take a review but the ball is missing the wickets.

HALF CENTURY FOR RICKLETON! He should convert it into a hundred, as he has a ton in his name. Nevertheless a well-deserved one as well for Ryan. He has set a solid foundation for his side here. It is full, outside off. Ryan Rickelton pushes it out to point.

Floated and full, outside off. Reeza Hendricks drives it through covers for one.

A length ball, outside off. Ryan Rickelton smacks it down the park for two runs. South Africa need 94 runs in 72 balls.

Flatter, angling across, outside off. Ryan Rickelton dabs it towards backward point.

SIX! THIS IS HUGE! What a shot. Ben White with a half-tracker, on off. Ryan Rickelton goes back and smokes it over the wide long on fence for a biggie. South Africa are flying out here.

Short one, outside off. Hendricks pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Quicker, on middle and leg. Ryan Rickelton clears his front leg and clips it into the leg side for a run.

Shorter, outside off. Ryan Rickelton looks to cut it away but misses.

A sigh of relief for Ireland, as Matthew Humphreys finds the breakthrough. Reeza Hendricks though believes that he has got no blade on it and takes a review. It is an arm ball, which slides down the leg side. Reeza Hendricks goes for the flick but the keeper is very sharp behind the stumps, as he gathers it neatly. The UltraEdge through confirms there is no bat involved. The ball hits the pads instead. The umpire has to turn his decision here. PRESSURE BACK ON IRELAND.

Pushed through quicker, around off. Reeza Hendricks pushes it into covers for two runs.

Flatter one, around off. Ryan Rickelton goes back and pushes it into covers for one.

SIX! BANG! Ryan Rickelton now moves to 39. It is tossed up, full and outside off. Ryan Rickelton gets low and slogs it over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum. Does not look like the Powerplay has ended.

Fuller ball, outside off. Ryan Rickelton slashes it into covers.

Darted on the pads. Reeza Hendricks stays back and tries to push it through the line. The ball goes to short fine off the inside edge. One taken.

A sharp bumper, on middle and leg. Ryan Rickelton looks to heave it away but misses.

Fuller one, on off. Ryan Rickelton flicks it into mid-wicket but finds the fielder.

Length ball, on the pads, Ryan Rickelton flicks it into mid-wicket for two runs.

SIX! This is massive. Fionn Hand overcompensates with an overpitched delivery. Ryan Rickelton gets low quickly and slogs it towards fine leg for a biggie. two on the trot.

SIX! This is a solid pick up shot. Good length, in the channel. Ryan Rickelton gets under it and dispatches it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Fionn Hand comes 'round the wicket for the left-hander and serves it full, outside off. Ryan Rickelton looks to smash it through the line but it dies into the deck after hitting the inner half.

A length ball, outside off. Reeza Hendricks taps it to point. 8 runs come from this over.

It is full this time, on off. Hendricks gets it to point off the outer half.

FOUR! Reeza Hendricks picks up the length this time. Young serves a short one, on middle. Hendricks swivels and pulls it behind square for a boundary.

Good length, around off, this one skids through. Reeza Hendricks tries to heave it across the line but gets pinged on his thigh pads.

A length ball, on top of off. Reeza Hendricks blocks it to point from inside the crease.

FOUR! Well, it seems like there is no stopping Reeza Hendricks now. It is overpitched, outside off. Reeza Hendricks gets under it and lofts it over extra covers. The ball trickles over the ropes.

LEG BYE! A length ball, angled down leg. Reeza Hendricks tries to flick it away but misses. It rolls out off his pads. They cross for a leg bye.

FOUR! Suddenly Reeza Hendricks has joined the party here. Three boundaries for him in this over. Adair dishes a length ball, outside off, goes looking for the swing but gets nothing. Reeza Hendricks frees his arms and flays it over covers for four more.

Good length, around off, this one takes off after hitting the deck. Reeza Hendricks looks to heave it across the line but takes a blow on the body.

FOUR! Consecutive boundaries for Reeza Hendricks. Pitched up again, outside off. Reeza Hendricks opens the face a little this time and drives it in front of point for four runs.

FOUR! SMACKED! First boundary for Reeza Hendricks. A good-looking one as well. It is fuller, outside off, shaping away a touch. Reeza Hendricks leans into it and creams it through covers for a fine boundary.

Fuller ball, outside off. Ryan Rickelton swings hard at it. The ball flies off the outside edge, towards deep third. One taken.

LEG BYE! Pace-up this time, full, around middle and leg. Ryan Rickelton tries to flick it away but takes a blow high on his pads. They cross though as the ball rolls into the off side. Ryan Rickelton to retain the strike.

Young with a half-tracker, on off. Ryan Rickelton pulls it over mid on. It lands safely. They take two runs.

FOUR! Ryan Rickelton is on the charge. Young pitches it up, outside off. Ryan Rickelton reads it well, and drills it down the park for a glorious boundary.

Shortish, outside off. Ryan Rickelton slaps it hard towards mid off, but finds the fielder.

TWO WIDES! Mad movement on this one. Craig Young serves it on a length, around middle and leg, this one swings way down the leg side. Beats the keeper's effort. The batters take a single.

Back of a length, outside off, angling away. Ryan Rickelton stays back, and slices it towards deep backward point. It falls short. One taken.

Craig Young serves a length ball, around off. Ryan Rickelton shuffles and blocks it out watchfully.

Full one, sliding down leg. Ryan Rickelton closes the face and tucks it into the leg side for one. South Africa are off to a promising start.

A length ball, around off. Ryan Rickelton gets it into the leg side off the inner half.

FOUR! Timed to perfection. It is pitched up this time, around off. Ryan Rickelton leans forward and flicks it past the diving fielder at mid on. It races away.

FOUR! Cracking shot. Mark Adair serves a short ball, wide outside off. Ryan Rickelton opens his body well, and slaps it hard through covers for a boundary.

Much fuller this time, on the line of the stumps. Ryan Rickelton blocks it into the off side from inside the crease.

Mark Adair starts with a slower ball, on a length, wide of off. This one stays low as well. Ryan Rickelton looks to push it through the line but misses.

Who will share the new ball? It is going to be Mark Adair.

A dot ball to end the over. A length ball, outside off. Reeza Hendricks pushes it into covers but only to find the fielder.

Shorter one, angling back into the right-hander. Reeza Hendricks uses the depth of the crease and deals with it.

Back of a length, on off. Ryan Rickelton swivels and pulls it through square leg for a run.

On the pads, Reeza Hendricks flicks it into the leg side for one.

An arm ball this time, on a good-length, with some extra bounce. It hits Reeza Hendricks on his thigh pads.

This is quicker and flatter, on the pads, sliding down leg. Ryan Rickelton goes back, and flicks it into the leg side. One taken. Ryan Rickelton and South Africa are off the mark.

LEG BYE! It is full ball, sliding down leg. Craig Young looks to clip it away but misses. The ball rolls towards the keeper off the pads. They cross for a leg bye. Ireland end their innings at 171/8.

Craig Young is the new batter in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Patrick Kruger is picking up wickets for fun. This is his fourth one of the night. Ireland are losing their way at the very end. Kruger goes full, wide outside off, almost near the tramline. Mark Adair reaches out, swings hard at it but ends up hitting it straight to the fielder at covers. Wiaan Mulder stationed there takes a solid catch above his head.

Fires it full, in the blockhole. Adair jams it back to the bowler.

BYE! Very full, outside off. Matthew Humphreys swings hard but does not connect. The keeper misses it. They cross for a bye.

Matthew Humphreys is the new batter in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust. Patrick Kruger fires it full, around middle and leg. Hand shuffles and tries to ramp it up, but it comes off the bottom half of his blade. The ball flies towards short leg. Ottneil Baartman chases it and grabs it safely.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Patrick Kruger follows the batter around leg stump with a sharp bouncer. George Dockrell backs away and tries to hook it away. The ball catches the outside edge and balloons up in front of the keeper. Ryan Rickelton steps forward and holds it cleanly. Fionn Hand is the new batter in.

It is fuller, on off. George Dockrell slices it over backward point for just another single.

Williams is on the money with the yorker once again. Williams now digs it out to point for one.

BYE! Lizaad Williams nails the yorker this time, in the blockhole. George Dockrell winds up, swings hard, but gets no blade on it. The ball deflects after hitting the wicket-keeper on the pads. They cross for a bye.

This is full, wide outside off. Mark Adair swings hard and lofts it over backward point. One taken.

A low full toss, outside off. George Dockrell slashes it hard towards sweeper cover. One taken.

This is too full, on off. Mark Adair looks to hoick it away but gets an inside edge on his pads. They cross for a quick single.

Patrick Kruger fires it full, in the channel. Mark Adair drills it into the off side. The fielder at extra covers makes a sharp stop. One taken.

A length ball, around middle and leg. Adair works it into mid-wicket. He hits it into the gap and gets two runs for it.

Mark Adair gets off the mark instantly here. Kruger drags his length back a little. He swivels and pulls it towards deep square leg. Two runs taken.

OUT! CAUGHT! Curtis Campher has to walk back on 49. Patrick Kruger comes back into the attack and gets rid of the big fish here. It is a short ball, with some extra bounce on off. Curtis Campher goes for a wild swing across the line. The ball catches the outside edge and flies towards short fine. Ottneil Baartman rushes to his left, keeps his eyes on the ball and takes a sharp catch. Mark Adair is the new batter in.

FOUR! Easy pickings. Patrick Kruger fires it full, but ends up going down the leg side. Curtis Campher hangs back and tickles it down to fine leg for a boundary.

George Dockrell hangs back to this short ball and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Change. Patrick Kruger is back into the attack now.

Length, on off. Campher uses his feet and whips it to deep mid-wicket. Two runs taken.

SIX! KABOOM! Curtis Campher is batting on a different deck here. A low full toss, tailing into the pads. Curtis Campher clears his front leg, middles it and sends it sailing over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum.

A sharp bumper this time, outside leg. Curtis Campher shuffles and tries to scoop it away but gets undone by the bounce here.

Back of a length, on off. George Dockrell gets on top of it but mistimes his pull towards long on for one.

SIX BANG! A full toss, outside off. George Dockrell gets a hold of it and dispatches it over the long off fence for a maximum.

Short ball, around middle. Curtis Campher swivels and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

LEG BYE! It is pushed through quicker, in the channel. Curtis Campher shuffles across and tries to sweep it away. He ends up playing around it. The ball brushes the pads, and rolls into the off side. They collect a leg bye.

Darted on the pads, George Dockrell stays back. He tucks it to deep square leg for one.

Flatter one, around middle. Curtis Campher whips it into mid-wicket for one.

Googly, around middle. George Dockrell flicks it into the leg side for one.

DROPPED! It is a floated delivery, full and on off. George Dockrell gets a hold of it and smacks it back towards the ball, pretty hard hit as welll. Nqabayomzi Peter tries to get his hands on it, but it ends up hitting him on the inner part of his thighs. The bowler has gone down on the floor. The physio comes out but it is a quick treament for him.

FOUR! Smacked. It is tossed up, full and outside off. George Dockrell leans into it and crashes it through covers for a cracking boundary.

Flat and at the stumps. Dockrell makes room and punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

Flat on the middle and off. Dockrell comes forward and gets the inside edge toward fine leg for two runs.

Full and at the stumps. Campher heaves it toward deep mid-wicket for a single.

Flatter, around off. Campher chops it to backward point.

Tosses it full, around off. Campher attempts the reverse but gets it off the cue end, into the pitch.

Fired in full, outside leg. Campher goes for the slog but misses.

Tosses it full, around off. Dockrell drives it uppishly toward cover-point.

Tad short, outside off. Dockrell slaps it to extra cover.

Full on the middle and leg. Dockrell leans forward and works it through mid-wicket for a couple.

George Dockrell is in now.

BOWLED'EM! Peter gets his man! Wrong'un, slides through after pitching and crashes into the middle and off-stump as Rock misses the hack across the line. A fine knock from Neil Rock comes to an end. Ireland lose their fourth.

Outstanding effort! Low full toss on the middle and leg. Rock picks it early and heaves it to the deep square leg boundary. Patrick Kruger makes a fine effort in the deep to take the catch and throw it back into play as he loses the balance. Saves four runs for his side.

On the pads, tucked into the leg side for one.

Length ball, around middle. Campher tucks it to mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Curtis Campher is only dealing in boundaries at the moment. It is full, on middle and leg. Campher gets low and sweeps it to deep square leg for one run.

Full and on off, Rock clips it into mid-wicket for one.

Length, around off, punched to deep point for one.

FOUR Rubbing salt on the wounds here. Short ball, around middle. Curtis Campher goes back, creates some room and dispatches it over covers for four runs.

LEG BYE! A huge appeal for lbw but the umpire shows no interest. It is fuller, around middle. Neil Rock tries to sweep it away but misses. The pings him on his pads and rolls out into the leg side. The batters steal a single in the process. South Africa take a review. The Ball Tracking though confirms that the ball is pitching outside leg.

Shorter, around middle and leg. Rock swivels on his back foot and pulls it to deep square leg. It meets the fielder on a bounce. One taken. An expensive over from Patrick Kruger comes to an end here.

FOUR! He connects well this time. A good-length ball, around off. Neil Rock pulls it down towards fine leg. The placement is really good and it finds the boundary as well.

Patrick Kruger sticks to his short ball approach. Neil Rock mistimes his pull to deep mid-wicket for two runs.

SIX! BANG! It is a shortish delivery, on middle and leg. Neil Rock swivels a bit and smokes it over the square leg fence for a maximum.

Touch fuller again, on off. Campher bunts it towards mid off for one.

Fuller ball, around middle and leg. Rock makes some room and drives it to long off. One taken.

A single to end the over. Short ball, around off. Rock stands tall and pulls it down to long on for one.

Shorter, outside off. Campher pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Pitched up, full and outside off. Rock pushes it to long on for one.

FOUR! Up and over. This is tossed up, full and outside fof. Neil Rock reaches out and slashes it over covers for a boundary.

Full and on the stumps. Rock eases it back to the bowler.

Looped up, around leg. Campher tucks it into the on side and crosses.

Drinks are on the field! Ireland got off to a quick start courtesy of Ross Adair but they lost three wickets in quick time. Curtis Campher and Neil Rock have done the rebuild and will look to bat deep. Ireland will eye something in the range of 175 from hereon. South Africa, meanwhile, will look to slow things down and pick regular wickets.

FOUR! Sloppy from Breetzke! Short and wide outside off. Rock cuts it aerially toward the deep extra cover region where Matthew Breetzke runs around the ball and parries it into the fence.

WIDE! Drags it short and well wide outside off. Rock lets it go. Wide signaled.

Full and at the stumps. Rock defends it forward.

Too full, outside off. Campher squeezes it to short third for one.

Flatter on the middle and leg. Rock makes room and knocks it through the point region for a single.

Floated, full, just outside off. Rock gets low for the slog but misses again. Shaves just past the off-stump. The appeal for the stumping is gone upstairs. Neil Rock gets his foot just inside the crease when the bails are taken off. He survives, only just.

Tosses it too full, outside leg. Rock makes room for the drive and misses it.

Aiden Markram brings himself into the attack.

In the air and dropped! Tosses it full, on the middle and leg. Campher gets low and slog-sweeps it straight to Baartman at the deep backward square leg region. He puts down a sitter. Two runs were taken.

Flatter, around off. Rock punches it through backward point for one.

Flat and quick outside off. Rock hangs back and punches it through the point region for a couple.

FOUR! Edged Away! Full and quick outside off. Rock makes room for the drive and gets the outside edge that rolls through the short third region and races away.

Flat on the leg pole. Campher works it through wide of mid-on for a single.

WIDE! Floated full and down the leg. Campher sweeps and misses. Wide signaled.

Fuller arm ball, on the leg pole. Campher turns it toward backward square leg.

Length delivery, angled into the middle and leg. Campher turns it toward mid-wicket for a single.

Full-length delivery, outside leg. Rock gets outside leg and hacks it through square leg for a single.

On a length, on middle. Rock makes room and knocks it into covers.

Bangs it short, on the leg pole. Rock ducks under it and lets it go.

Pitched full, around off. Rock drives it toward mid-off.

On a length, angling away. Rock has a push at it and gets beaten.

Too full, at the stumps. Rock sweeps off the inside edge, toward short fine leg for one.

Flat and turning into the batter. Rock blocks from the crease.

Neil Rock is in next.

OUT! TAKEN! Fortuin strikes! Tosses it full on the middle and leg. Tector attempts the reverse but gets it off the cue end, and lobs toward short third where Lizaad Williams takes a simple catch. Ireland lose their third as Tector walks off for 16.

Full and quick outside off. Tector jams it to backward point.

Flatter on off. Knocks it through point for one.

Tosses it on the leg. Campher turns it toward backward square leg off the pad.

Back of a length on off. Tector blocks it toward backward point.

FOUR MORE! Full and wide outside off. Tector leans forward and drives it crisply through the cover-point region for a cracking boundary.

FOUR! Nicely done! Back of a length nipping away. Tector plays it late and guides it through short third region for a boundary.

Williams sticks to his length delivery. Tector defends it out watchfully.

Length ball, around off, blocked.

We are facing some issues from the broadcasters. The stream is down. There might be some lag.

FOUR LEG BYES!

Length, around off, blocked.

FOUR! Curtis Campher is on a roll. He gets his third boundary in no time.

FOUR! Curtis Campher is trying to up teh ante here.

WIDE! Short one, outside off. This one goes past the tramline. Wide called.

FOUR! Nicely played. A boundary for Curtis Campher.

A length ball, around off. Campher gets it to mid on off the inner half.

Much fuller, on middle and leg. Curtis Campher eases it to mid on.

WIDE! Ottneil Baartman sprays it down leg. Wided.

Length, on off, blocked out solidly.

WIDE! Mulder dishes it down the leg side. Wide given.

Mulder goes full again, swinging away a bit. Tector drives it gently back towards the bowler.

Pitched up, around off. Tector knocks it towards mid off.

FOUR! Consecutive boundaries. This time due to poor bowling. Length ball around the leg stump, shaping down leg. Tector plays it late but with perfection as he whips it through square leg for four runs.

FOUR! EDGY! Mulder serves a length ball, outside off. It shapes away off the deck. Tector has a feel for it away from his body and ends a thick outside edge. The ball zips past the man at first slip. Four runs.

Mulder dishes it short, outside off. Campher gets on top of it and plays a controlled cut shot. One taken. Finds the fielder in the deep.

Good length, around off. Tector gets it towards gully off the outer half.

Much fuller, outside off. Tector reaches out and pushes it into the off side.

Full again, outside off. Curtis Campher extends his arms and slashes it towards deep backward point. It meets the fielder on a bounce. One taken.

Fuller one, wide outside off, swinging further away. Curtis Campher looks to chase it but misses.

Curtis Campher is the new batter in.

OUT! TIMBER! Oh dear, South Africa strike quickly. They have the second wicket in no time. Ireland lose their skipper on a low score. It is a length ball, outside off. The ball nips in a bit off the deck, and surprisingly it stays a bit low as well. Paul Stirling tries to drive it through the line but ends up playing all around it. The ball sneaks through the gap and crashes into the stumps.

A length ball, around off, blocked out solidly.

FIVE WIDES! Ottneil Baartman serves a length ball, around leg, this one swings down the leg side. It beats the keeper and runs down to fine leg for four runs.

Harry Tector comes out to bat now.

OUT! CAUGHT! The fireworks come to an early end for Ross Adair. He wanted to contiue with his aggressive approach here, but ends up giving away his wicket here. It is a full ball, on off. Ross Adair swings hard at it and ends up hitting it high in the air. The ball travels towards mid on. Tristan Stubbs there moves to his left, settles under it and takes a sharp catch. Wiaan Mulder strikes in his first over.

A bit short this tine, on the pads. Adair tucks it to square leg from inside the crease. This is the first time I am seeing Paul Stirling play the second fiddle up top for Ireland.

Fuller one, on the pads, clipped into mid-wicket, but straight to the fielder there.

FOUR! Amazing shot. Mulder pitches it up, full and on middle. Ross Adair dances down the track, gets to the pitch and lofts it over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Short one, shaping away. Adair has a go but gets beaten.

Paul Stirling now pushes this full ball into covers for one.

Who will bowl from the other end? It will be Wiaan Mulder.

SIX! BANG! Ross Adair is on fire. Short ball, on off. This one sits up nicely. Ross Adair stays back, swivels and bludgeons it over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum. Ireland are 16 for 0 at the end of first.

WIDE! Too full, sliding down leg. Ross Adair looks to go after it but misses. Wide called.

FOUR! Ross Adair is a promising prospect for sure. This is some hitting. Pitched up, outside off. Ross Adair stands tall and drills it down the park for a boundary.

Good length, outside off, shaping away. Adair looks to smack it down the park but gets beaten by the extra bounce this time.

FOUR! CRUNCHED! Ross Adair gets off the mark in remarkable fashion. Back of a length, outside off. Ross Adair backs away and smokes it over the long on for four runs.

Lizaad Williams dishes a short ball, tailing back in. Ross Adair looks to heave it across the line but misses. He gets hit on his rib cage.

Ireland and Paul Stirling get off the mark instantly. It is a short ball, on the fourth stump line. Paul Stirling gets on his toes, dabs it towards backward point. One taken.

We are done with the pre-match proceedings. The South Africa players huddle-up, before spreading out on the field. Followed by Paul Stirling and Ross Adair who walk out to open for Ireland. Lizaad Williams gets the new ball in hand.

Both the teams now walk out and line-up for the National Anthems. It will be South Africa's first, followed by Ireland's.

PITCH REPORT - Vernon Philander is near the deck. He informs that the wicket has a bit of grass covering and it should zip through well. Batters will have a good chance to put in a solid score and the odd ball might do a bit.

Paul Stirling, the captain of Ireland is in for a chat. He expressed his excitement about being in Abu Dhabi and praised the hospitality of the board. He acknowledged the absence of Josh Little but remained optimistic about the team's chances. He highlighted the opportunity for other players to step up and contribute.

Aiden Markram, the captain of South Africa informs that they will bowl first. Informs that it looks like a good wicket with a bit more grass. Adds that he is happy to chase here. Mentions that they are focusing on getting the right result here. Matthew Breetzke gets a start here and adds that they are playing with double spin here.

Ireland (Playing XI) - Paul Stirling (C), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, Neil Rock (WK), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Fionn Hand. Matthew Humphreys, Craig Young, Ben White.

South Africa (Playing XI) - Ryan Rickelton (WK), Reeza Hendricks, Matthew Breetzke, Aiden Markram (C), Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Patrick Kruger, Bjorn Fortuin, Nqabayomzi Peter, Lizaad Williams, Ottneil Baartman.

TOSS - The coin goes up and lands in favour of South Africa. They will BOWL first.

Ireland, on the flip side, had a disappointing World Cup and are playing after a couple of months’ break. Paul Stirling is leading a young side with their former skipper Andy Balbirnie being left out and Josh Little taking a break due to CPL commitments. Lorcan Tucker and Harry Tector will lead the batting lineup alongside their skipper Stirling while Mark Adair, Craig Young, and Ben White will be the key figures the bowling lineup. Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, and Gavin Hoey will provide the balance to the squad. With plenty of new faces eager to make a mark at the international level, the series promises to be an enthralling one. So, who are you backing to come out on top? We shall find out soon. Stay tuned for the toss and team news coming up shortly!

South Africa are coming off an ODI series loss against Afghanistan. The Proteas will want to put that behind them and start afresh in the shortest format. Aiden Markram continues to lead the T20 side with Reeza Hendricks, Tristan Stubbs, and Ryan Rickelton being the key batters in the squad. Ottniel Baartman, Bjorn Fortuin, and Lungi Ngidi will spearhead the bowling while Wiaan Mulder and Patrick Kruger will provide the all-round strength. South Africa will hope to start the series on a positive note and get a win. 

Hello and a warm welcome to our coverage of the two-match T20I series between Ireland and South Africa from the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The T20 World Cup runners-up, South Africa, will want to give some young-guns a chance to build for the future while Ireland will want to show their mettle and cause an upset.  

... MATCH DAY ...

The stage is set for a thrilling T20I showdown between Ireland and South Africa at Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Fresh from their ICC T20 World Cup runner-up finish, South Africa seeks redemption after a disappointing ODI series loss to Afghanistan. Aiden Markram leads a dynamic Proteas squad that blends experience and youth. Their batting lineup boasts Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Reeza Hendricks, and Matthew Breetzke, while the bowling attack features lethal pacers Ottneil Baartman, Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger, and Lizaad Williams, complemented by spinners Bjorn Fortuin and Nqabayomzi Peter. Ireland, on the other hand, captained by Paul Stirling, aims to pull off an upset. Their lineup comprises of a talented pool of players. Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, George Dockrell, and the rest would put in a perfect challenge to the Proteas but they will have to play some outstanding cricket to even put up a fight against the mighty Proteas. Can South Africa rebound from their recent setback, or will Ireland script a stunning upset? We shall find out soon.