Ireland put up an all-round show to beat the Netherlands by eight wickets in a low-scoring match at the Sportpark Maarschalkerweerd, Utrecht. The three-match series now stands level at 1-1.
Paul Stirling (52) struck his second fifty of the series, while captain Andy Balbirnie remained unbeaten on 63. The pair added 82 runs for the second wicket.
Stirling smashed Logan van Beek for two consecutive fours in his first over. But he had to curb his attacking game after William Porterfield was bowled two balls later. Porterfield now had a score of 5 and 0 from the first two games.
Balbirnie was watchful throughout his stay. His first boundary came almost 10 overs after his arrival. Stirling, meanwhile, kept bringing regular boundaries before falling prey to Pieter Seelaar. Harry Tector then stayed with Balbirnie to guide Ireland past the target.
Earlier in the match, Will Young (4-18) and Josh Little (4-39) skittled the Netherlands out for 157. This, after Stephan Myburgh and Max O’Dowd added 44 runs for the first wicket, the highest partnership of the match.
Myburgh fell to Little in the 14th over. Ben Cooper went next ball. O’Dowd top-scored with 36; Bas de Leede, Scott Edwards, and van Beek all crossed 20; but none of them made anything substantial.
Netherlands 157 in 49.2 overs (Max O’Dowd 36; Craig Young 4-18, Josh Little 4-39) lost to Ireland 158/2 in 43 overs (Andy Balbirnie 69; Logan van Beek 1-34) by 8 wickets. Player of the Match: Josh Little.