Three-time champion India overcame a shaky start against Ireland to open its campaign with a 79-run victory in Mirpur in another Group D match, which was produced by ICC TV and aired around the world by 15 broadcasters.

India was reduced to 55 for four after being sent in to bat, before Sarfaraz Khan and Washington Sundar pulled their team out of trouble with a 110-run stand for the fifth wicket.

Sarfaraz smashed 74 off 70 balls with included seven boundaries, while left-handed Sundar hit a polished 62.

Irish seamers Rory Anders and Joshua Little picked up three wickets each, but tail-ender Zeeshan Ansari boosted India’s total with a run-a-ball 36 at the end.

Ireland was bowled out for 189 in reply as Rahul Batham took three for 15 and Avesh Khan finished with two for 24.

Sarfaraz said he was not satisfied despite winning the man of the match award.
“I should have scored more because I had settled in well,” he said. “Hopefully, I will do better in the remaining matches. But it is good to start the tournament with a win.”

India captain Ishan Kishan was relieved that his side collected maximum points. “We lost some early wickets but runs were done by Sarfaraz and Washington who had an excellent partnership. The fielding effort was great as we inflicted two run-outs at the start and then, the bowlers hit the right areas,” the opener said.

Kishan continued: “I am not that much happy with the batting as we lost early wickets but this was the first match and I am sure we’ll learn from this match and do better in upcoming matches.

“India has won the event thrice, so the expectation level is pretty high. We have to play professionally and try to live up to the expectations.”

Scores in brief:
Group D -
India beat Ireland by 79 runs in Mirpur
India 268-9, 50 overs (Sarfaraz Khan 74, Washington Sundar 62, Zeeshan Ansari 36; Rory Anders 3-35, Joshua Little 3-52)
Ireland 189 all out, 49.1 overs (Lorcan Tucker 57, William McClintock 58; Avesh Khan 2-24, Rahul Batham 3-15)