Ireland beat Netherlands to set up Namibia Showdown

Ireland's winning momentum continued this morning at the ICC World Twenty 20 Qualifiers in Dubai, with an all- round team performance which proved too good for the Netherlands. Ireland ran out 7 wicket winners with 20 balls to spare which sees them go through to tomorrow's crucial Qualifying Match whose winners will qualify for the ICC World Twenty20 2012 in Sri Lanka this September.

In a strange twist of fate, Ireland's opponents will be the only side they have lost to so far in the tournament, with the Namibians getting their second opportunity at qualifying for the finals having lost their first chance yesterday to the now-qualified, unbeaten Afghanistan. If Ireland can produce a performance in a similar vein to those yesterday against Canada & today against the Netherlands then they will be confident of gaining their revenge.

Ireland returned to the Dubai Sports City Stadium, Captain William Porterfield won the toss and decided to let the Dutch set a total so Ireland could chase for a second consecutive day. Trent Johnston and Boyd Rankin started well, as they have all tournament, with an initial breakthrough each they helping reduce the Netherlands to 17 for 2 early on. The highlight of the morning though was a stunning piece of athleticism from Porterfield, who had to dive backwards to hang on to an amazing catch off Johnston's bowling.

Ireland's spinners & the one of Ireland's surprise packages of the tournament really helped to pile the pressure onto the Netherlands throughout their innings which saw them restricted to 114 for 7 from their 20 overs. The surprise package, Kevin O'Brien's bowling, who in his own words is only bowling because of the injuries which have ruled out Alex Cusack and John Mooney. He bowled a superb 4 over spell straight through to claim 2-17. All of the Irish bowlers backed him up and all returned great figures to leave Ireland 115 to win.

Paul Stirling, winning his 100th Cap for Ireland at the age of just 21, came out to lead Ireland's chase alongside his captain, Porterfield. Lightning doesn't strike twice they say, but for the first four overs of Ireland's chase, it appeared as though we were watching an action replay of Stirling and Porterfield's partnership from the previous day against Canada. Ireland had flown to 41-0 after 4.1 overs and seemed in cruise control.

Peter Borren, the Dutch captain is a very adept tactician however and he reeled the changes. Suddenly, the Dutch spinners then brought the Netherlands right back in to the game. Pieter Seelaar's left arm spin accounting for Porterfield for 17, and then Michael Swart's offspin taking Stirling for 33 & Wilson for a duck in consecutive balls.

Ed Joyce and Kevin O'Brien then came together to show their class and experience in a perfectly paced partnership that steadied even the most jittery of Irish fans. Joyce stroked the ball around with elegance while Kevin O'Brien showed off his big hitting skills with three glorious maximums. The great news is that you can watch all the Highlights tonight, which will be again be shown on RTE Two, at the slightly different time of 11.45pm.

Kevin O'Brien was the obvious and deserved choice for the Man of the Match with his 30 not out capping a great day with the ball, his sights are already set on tomorrow's showdown with Namibia 'It all rides on tomorrow and it's going to be a good game of cricket and hopefully we can continue our good form into tomorrow's game and qualify for Sri Lanka'. He continued 'We're confident, we've won 8 games in a row now...it's going to be a close & exciting game'

Captain William Porterfield was keen to speak of a quiet confidence that is being build going into tomorrow's match 'We've had two big games in the last two days - as we say every game is a final and tomorrow is no different'. He also spoke of how key this momentum will be leading into the Namibia challenge, 'We've got that momentum coming into tomorrow and we just need to use that to our advantage'

Saturday morning's vital game is Live on Setanta Sports 1 at 6AM so it will be more a third early morning get up in a row for Ireland's cricket fans - hopefully every minute of lost sleep will have been worth it and Ireland will get their reward with a place in Sri Lanka 2012.