Porterfield Proud as Ireland Prevail in Pulsating Twenty20 World Cup Qualifier Final

Irish Skipper William Porterfield once again accepted the Twenty20 World Cup Qualifier trophy following a tremendous final in which Ireland came out on top against the very dangerous Afghanistan.

Some explosive batting throughout the innings saw Ireland get to a daunting 225 in their 20 overs.

But initially Afghanistan threatened to spoil the party with some explosive batting of their own.

However the experienced Irish Bowling Attack found their range and began taking wickets at regular intervals, finally dismissing Afghanistan for 157.

Wishing retiring Trent Johnston all the best for the future, Porterfield also hinted that he would have no problem if Johnston were to change his mind and continue on for a little while longer.

Barry Chambers: William congratulations, a fantastic performance and a hard fought match?

William Porterfield: Yeah it was, we knew it was always going to be a hard fought contest. It's been that way against Afghanistan anytime we've played them, no matter what the format.

So we expected no different today, and that's what we got. But the way we went out there with the bat, and the authority we showed there, was great, and we got off to a bit of a start, without losing a wicket, which was obviously pleasing in this format. And we managed to keep that momentum going throughout the innings.

Barry Chambers: Nigel Jones talked about the last contest, as both teams going for the jugular, we really went for the throat this time?

William Porterfield: Yeah we did, and as I say, once we got that start we managed to keep going, and I think the way the lads struck the ball, it was as clean as we've struck it all tournament. So that was really pleasing for ourselves. Any time you get upwards of 200 in a Twenty20 game, it's going to be hard for the opposition.

But we spoke about it at half time that 200 was probably about a par score on that track, and it was really difficult to defend there, and especially the way they came out and played as well. It was a fantastic cricket wicket, and a great spectacle for the spectators, but obviously when you get that extra 20 or 30 runs over 200, it kind of puts the game almost to bed. But the lads still had to go out there and bowl well, which we did.

Barry Chambers: And maybe just a word about Paul Stirling and Trent Johnston with the bat, fantastic?

William Porterfield: They struck the ball really cleanly, and obviously we got off to a start and TJ got the nod to go up, and he hasn't let us down in this competition yet, and he showed that again today, getting 60 odd off not very many balls, it was a fantastic effort, and he managed to clear the ropes when he needed to as well, which was great to see.

And obviously might get a few well deserved beers down his neck tonight, and try and have a quiet word in his ear to see if we can keep pushing him on for another year. But I think he's pretty set in his ways, and I'd like to wish him all the best in whatever comes in the future.