Toronto: Bad light ruled out what would have been an intriguing final two overs in the first one-dayer in Toronto, but Canada won't be complaining as it secured them a surprise win over Ireland, the leading Associate nation, in a rain-shortened match.
Canada needed 13 off two overs and had just lost two batsmen who had scored half-centuries, Ruvindu Gunasekera and captain Ashish Bagai, when play had to be called off due to bad light. The match had already been curtailed to a 35-over affair after rain had delayed the start by three and a half hours.
Ireland had chosen to bat and despite none of their batsmen making a half-century, they posted a competitive total. Their top scorer was John Mooney, who came in at 78 for 4 and provided some stability with a brisk 47.
Canada's chase got off to a poor start with both openers falling cheaply. Gunasekera, playing his first ODI in two years, and Bagai then put the home side on course for victory with a 140-run third-wicket stand, before both fell in the space of six deliveries, leaving Canada needing a run a ball for the final 16 deliveries.
Brief score
Ireland 175 for 9 (Mooney 47, Chohan 3-25)
Canada 163 for 4 (Gunasekera 71, Bagai 64)
Result Canada won by four runs (on D/L method)
MOM Ruvindu Gunasekera (Canada)