Porterfield stars in big Ireland win

An unbeaten century from opener William Porterfield - his first T20 ton - powered Ireland to a comprehensive 75-run win over USA in Abu Dhabi, and secured their fourth straight victory in the tournament.

Porterfield slammed 12 fours and five sixes during his 69-ball 127, and added 94 for the first wicket with Paul Stirling after Ireland were asked to bat. Stirling eventually fell for 25 in the ninth over, and soon after, the left-arm spinner Danial Ahmed dismissed Kevin O'Brien and Trent Johnston in successive overs to leave Ireland at 151 for 3 after 15.3 overs.

John Mooney provided a late surge by smashing two fours and two sixes as he raced to 32 off just 13 deliveries. He and Porterfield put up an unbeaten 65 for the fourth wicket to take the team to 216 from their 20 overs.

USA lost wickets regularly during their chase, and failed to build any significant partnership, as Ireland bowled incisively. Stirling was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 3 for 25, while Mooney, George Dockrell and Max Sorensen took two scalps each, to bundle USA out for 141.

The defeat left USA at the bottom of Group A, with just one win from their four games.

Hong Kong captain Jamie Atkinson's fifty helped his side register an eight-wicket win over Namibia after Hong Kong's bowlers, led by left-arm spinner Nadeem Ahmed, kept the opponents in check.

Namibia had a shaky start, losing Christi Viljoen in the fourth over and were in further trouble when they lost wickets in successive overs to stutter to 57 for 4 in the 10th over.

Nadeem Ahmed then had Namibia on the mat, dismissing Raymond van Schoor, Sarel Burger and Jaen Kotze in successive overs, before the side limped to 111 for 9 at the end of their 20 overs.

In reply, Hong Kong opener Irfan Ahmed was run-out off the second ball of the innings, but an 85-run second-wicket stand between Waqas Barkat and Atkinson set up the chase. Atkinson departed in the 14th over for 50 off 43 balls, but Barkat and Nizakat Khan ensured Hong Kong got to the target with 10 balls to spare.

The win keeps Hong Kong at second place in Group A, after they relinquished the top position to Ireland earlier today. Both teams have eight points, but Hong Kong have played one extra game. UAE are close behind with six points from four games.