Ireland downed by South Africa

Ireland's tour of Qatar ended on a losing note after they lost heavily to South Africa by 9 wickets in Doha in their Twenty20 contest.

Ireland posted 101 for 7, with skipper Isobel Joyce yet again leading by example with a top score of 47 from just 48 balls (4 fours).

Joyce shared a second wicket partnership of 53 with opener Clare Shillington , who hit 25 from just 23 deliveries (2 fours, 1 six).

The rest of the Irish batters struggled in the face of the strong South African attack, with Kate McKenna (11*), the only other player to reach double figures.

South African wasted no time in chasing down their target, reaching 102 with 5.4 overs to spare for the loss of just the one wicket.

Opener Lizelle Lee (53) scored her second consecutive half century against the Irish, winning yet another Player of the Match accolade.

She shared an opening stand of 83 with Trisha Chetty (27*), before being caught by Rebecca Rolfe off the bowling of Amy Kenealy (1-28).

The tour has given the youthful Ireland squad some much needed experience ahead of their first ICC World Twenty20 which gets under way in Bangladesh in March.