Ireland outplay Zimbabwe in T20 warmup

COLOMBO: Wicketkeeper-batsman Niall O'Brien cracked a 49-ball 62 with the help of two sixes and four boundaries to set up Ireland's easy 54-run victory over Zimbabwe in a World Twenty20 warm-up match here on Thursday.

Ireland scored 181 for five off 20 overs before restricting Zimbabwe to 127-8, with paceman Alex Cusack finishing with 3-6 off three overs and left-arm spinner George Dockrell with 3-28 from four overs.

Kevin O'Brien, brother of Niall, hit a brisk 30 not out off 14 balls while Ed Joyce contributed 29 for Ireland.

Opener Hamilton Masakadza top-scored for Zimbabwe with 44, hitting two sixes and five fours. (AFP)