WT20 wrap: Ireland, Netherlands win

Luck of the Irish in World T20 thriller

Ireland 7-164 (20.0) defeated Zimbabwe 5-163 (20.0) by three wickets in Sylhet

Opener Paul Stirling smashed 60 off 34 balls to set Ireland up for a last-ball victory over Zimbabwe in their first-round match in the ICC World Twenty20 championship on Monday.

Stirling's fifth Twenty20 half-century, including nine fours and a six, helped Ireland to a three-wicket victory on St Patrick's Day at the Sylhet stadium.

Ireland needed four runs off the last over but lost Ed Joyce (22) and Max Sorensen, run out without scoring, before winning through a bye off the last ball of the over -- bowled by paceman Tinashe Panyangara who finished with 4-37.

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Netherlands chase down 152 against UAE

Netherlands 4-152 (18.5) defeated United Arab Emirates All Out 151 (19.5) by six wickets in Sylhet

The Netherlands eased to a six-wicket win against first-timers United Arab Emirates in the opening round of the ICC World Twenty20 at Sylhet Stadium on Monday.

Opener Stephan Myburgh hit a punishing 36-ball 55 with two sixes and seven boundaries to help the Netherlands overhaul a modest 152-run target with seven balls to spare.

It was a clinical finish by the Netherlands who are vying to progress from Group B for a place in the main rounds.

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Kiwis lose to Pakistan in T20 warm-up

Pakistan 4-149 (19.5) defeated New Zealand 9-145 (20) by six wickets in Dhaka

New Zealand have lost to Pakistan by six wickets off the penultimate ball of a warm-up match in Dhaka ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 tournament.

Captain Brendon McCullum stood out with the bat, striking four sixes in his 59 off 45 balls as the Black Caps reached 9-145.

Pakistan responded with 4-149, having started brightly before a slow patch over the closing overs created a close finish.

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