Lorcan Tucker's unbeaten 94 guides Ireland to 235/5 against Oman

Colombo (PTI): Oman's 38-year-old left-arm spinner Shakeel Ahmed justified his inclusion by taking three crucial wickets, but skipper Lorcan Tucker produced a masterful unbeaten 94-run knock under pressure to guide Ireland to 235 for 5 in their T20 World Cup clash here on Saturday.

Tucker's knock came off just 51 balls studded with 10 boundaries and four sixes.

Shakeel returned impressive figures of 3/33 in his four overs, dismantling Ireland's top order by removing the Tector brothers -- Tim and Harry -- along with Ross Adair, as the Irish side failed to secure the solid start they were seeking in their third match of the tournament.

Tucker then blended caution with calculated aggression to score big, stitching together a crucial 101-run stand with Gareth Delany (56) for the fifth wicket to lift Ireland from a precarious 64 for four in the eighth over, as the side sought to arrest a two-match losing streak.

Brief scores: Ireland 235 for 5 in 20 overs (Lorcan Tucker 94 not out, Gareth Delany 56; Shakeel Ahmed 3/33, Aamir Kaleem 1/29).