Ireland crush Nigeria

Ireland trounced Nigeria by 8 wickets inside just 6.1 overs to boost their NRR and go top of Group B - if only for 24 hours. The hapless Africans displayed a real absence of technique and indeed intent as they managed just 66 for 9 in their 20 overs - equally the lowest total in T20 internationals for a completed innings (Cayman Island versus Bermuda the other).

Craig Young proved the destroyer-in-chief as he sent stumps cartwheeling in all directions on his way to 4 for 13 - his best figures in T20 cricket, which earned him the Man-of-the-Match award. Mark Adair's excellent tournament continued as he claimed 2 for 10, including his second maiden of the competition.

Craig Young bowls Sylvester Okpe (©ICC)

Having gone over three years without a maiden, Ireland now had two in three days, and sure enough another followed as Boyd Rankin bowled six dots. Gareth Delany (1-17) and George Dockrell (1-16) were the other wicket takers, while Dockrell also effected a run-out.

Facing such a modest target, Ireland took full advantage of the lack of pressure to chase it down in just 37 balls. They did lose two wickets in their haste - Paul Stirling (11) and Kevin O'Brien who top scored with 32 from 17 balls.

O'Brien hit six boundaries, with the Irish hitting 12 in total in their brief time in the middle, with Stirling, Gareth Delany (11*) and Mark Adair (10*) hitting two apiece. They now leapfrog Oman, but will require a favour from Jersey, who will have to beat Oman for Ireland to potentially secure top spot and the automatic qualification that goes with it.

Gary Wilson appeals for an lbw but it is turned down by the umpire (©ICC)

Not only that, they will hope that whoever wins between UAE and Canada, don't do it by a wide enough margin to overtake Ireland's NRR. More likely is second place in the group and two chances to make the finals with a Group A opponent - The Netherlands, Scotland, Namibia and PNG all in the mix.

It promises to be an exciting final week of what has been a gripping tournament - today's mismatch excepted.

It wasn't all good news for Ireland with reports that Clontarf speedster David Delany has a torn meniscus and is likely to be out of action for some weeks. Cricket Ireland are yet to confirm the news or if they will ask the Event Technical Committee for a replacement player.