New Zealand beat Ireland by 35 runs

New Zealand have moved closer to a semi-final place at the Men's T20 World Cup after a 35-run win over Ireland on Friday.

They restricted Ireland to 150-9 with pace bowler Lockie Ferguson taking 3-22 and spinners Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi 2-26 and 2-31 respectively.

Ireland openers Andrew Balbirnie and Paul Stirling were smashing the Blackcaps bowlers all around in the first 8 overs, adding 68 runs for the first wicket.

Once the spinners were introduced, Ireland succumbed in the run chase. It all started with Mitchell Santner breaking this dangerous-looking Balbirnie via a chopped-on dismissal. Then Ish Sodhi came in and picked a couple of wickets, followed by Lockie Ferguson and Tim Southee chipping in to decimate the middle and lower order of the Irish side.

Brief Scores
New Zealand XI: 185 for 6 (Kane Williamson 61, Finn Allen 32; Josh Little 3/22, Gareth Delany 2/30)

Ireland XI: 150 for 9 (Paul Stirling 37, Andy Balbirnie 30; Lockie Ferguson 3/22, Mitchell Santner 2/26, Tim Southee 2/29)