Chandigarh, March 11: West Indies beat Ireland by 44 runs at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali in a Group B encounter.

Chasing 276 runs to win, Ireland were all out in the penultimate over of the match for 231 runs. After openers Paul Stirling and William Porterfield failed to give the Irish a good start, No. 3 batsman Ed Joyce (84 off 106 balls) dropped anchor and played an inspiring innings before being bowled by Andre Russell. He was ably supported by Gary Wilson who scored 61 runs. The two put up a partnership of 91 runs to bring Ireland closer to the target.

Ireland lost six batsmen for just 54 runs after the departure of Joyce as the West Indies bowlers ran through the lower-order. Sulieman Benn, who got the first breakthrough with the wicket of Stirling, ended with a four-for while Darren Sammy picked three wickets.

Earlier, after winning the toss and electing to field, Ireland were able to hold a tight leash on the West Indies batsman for the first 30 overs. Irish opener Devon Smith played the sheet anchor role for the West Indies making 107 runs. After a relatively slow start of 130 for three in 32 overs, the run-rate shot up once Kieron Pollard came to the crease.

Thanks to dropped catches and failed run-out attempts, Pollard went on to register his highest ODI score of 94 runs missing his century while trying to take the aerial route. He was caught at long-off by Boyd Rankin off the bowling of John Mooney but by then West Indies had a solid total of 267 runs on the board. Pollard has now hit the most sixes (nine) in the tournament overtaking New Zealand’s Ross Taylor (seven). Losing their last wicket on the last ball of their innings, West Indies set Ireland a target of 276 runs.

Pacer Mooney missed his hat-trick after dismissing Pollard and Andre Russell off consecutive deliveries, while Kevin O’Brien took a four-for.

West Indies will now meet England on March 17 in Chennai while Ireland meet South Africa in Kolkata on March 15.

Man-of-the-Match: Kieron Pollard for his brilliant knock of 94 runs off 55 balls peppered with eight fours and five sixes

Brief Score: West Indies 275 all out in 50 overs (Devon Smith 107, Kieron Pollard 94) beat Ireland 231 all out in 49 overs (Ed Joyce 84, S Benn 4/53, D Sammy 3/31) by 44 runs