Guyanese-born Gajanand Singh scored 65 runs from 42 balls to lead the United States to a 26-run upset victory over Ireland on Wednesday in the first of two Twenty20 cricket internationals. This was USA's first T20I victory against a Test-playing nation.
The USA won the toss and elected to bat, then got off to a terrible start, losing four wickets for just 16 runs at Broward County Stadium.
But the 34-year-old Singh, playing in only his fifth T20 international, hit five 6s and three 4s in a 52-minute blitz on the Ireland bowlers. The left-handed Singh was supported by T20 international debutant Sushant Modani, who made 50 from 39 balls and combined with Singh for a 110-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
New Zealand-born Marty Kain, also playing in his first T20 international, hit a quick 39 not out from 15 balls to ensure the USA finished with a highly competitive total of 188 for six wickets. The home side then restricted Ireland to 162-6.
Ireland bowler Barry McCarthy did most of the early damage, taking three of the four early USA wickets and four overall for 30 runs.
{{/usCountry}}Ireland bowler Barry McCarthy did most of the early damage, taking three of the four early USA wickets and four overall for 30 runs.
{{/usCountry}}The new Ireland opening partnership of Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie started quickly — captain Balbirnie smacked a boundary through cover off his first ball, and Stirling playing a powerful cut shot to the boundary a few balls later.
But USA fast bowler Muhammad Ali Khan struck first, tempting Balbirnie into a hook shot and he holed out at deep square leg. Stirling was out for 31 off the bowling of paceman Saurabh Netravalkar.
No. 3 batter Lorcan Tucker top-scored for Ireland with an unbeaten 57.
The teams will play at the same venue in a day-night match on Thursday.