Thompson’s dive at death gets Ireland over line

Ireland are in pole position to qualify for the Super 10 stage of the ICC World Twenty20 after a three-wicket win over Zimbabwe in their St Patrick’s Day tournament opener in Bangladesh.

Alex Cusack and Stuart Thompson scrambled a bye off the final ball to win the match in Sylhet, but the relieved hugs and high-fives on the Ireland bench betrayed how close Phil Simmons’ team had come to throwing away victory at the death.

It was shredded nerves for those watching at home as well when Ireland lost Ed Joyce and Max Sorensen with just four needed from the final over, and one from the final delivery, but Zimbabwe wicketkeeper Brendan Taylor missed with his throw at the stumps and Thompson somehow made his ground despite colliding with Prosper Utseya as he dived.