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Sylhet: Ireland won the qualifier game against UAE by 21 runs (D/L) method to register their second victory and top the group.
This was expected to be one-way traffic, a match devoid of drama and histrionics, and so it turned out, save right at the end when the floodlights went out briefly, came back on briefly and went out again, a dust storm swept across the ground and the skies opened up, forcing the game to be called off. Experienced Ireland against rookie UAE was never going to be a classic, Ireland overwhelming its opponents by 21 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method following the abandonment of the match to move a step closer to qualifying for the Super 10 stage of the ICC World Twenty20 2014.
Ireland's second successive win in the Group B qualifying competition at the Sylhet Divisional Stadium on Wednesday (March 19) night was attained with supreme comfort. Put in to bat, UAE never threatened to make a match of it, tied down by Ireland's assortment of quicker bowlers to limp to 123 for 6 when it ran out of time.
Paul Stirling, whose double-wicket maiden earlier in the night had stymied UAE's promising start, was forced to retire hurt after being struck on his right elbow in the first over of the chase by Sharif Asadullah, but that was no more than a temporary blip. Stirling, the Man of the Match in the previous game when Ireland edged Zimbabwe by three wickets off the last ball of the match, was taken to hospital for an x-ray even as his mates set about the UAE bowling with an eye on the net run-rate, reaching 103 for 3 in 14.2 overs, well ahead of the D/L par score of 82, when the match had to be abandoned in unfortunate circumstances.
Earlier, Ireland put up a disciplined bowling effort to restrict United Arab Emirates to 123 for six.
Invited to bat, UAE openers started well putting on 35 runs in five overs, before Faizan Asif was run out. Shaiman Anwar top-scored for the Irish side with a 28-ball 30. Opener Amjad Ali made 20 while Amjad Javed scored a brisk 19 with the help of three fours towards the end.
Ali struck fours boundaries while Anwar hit two sixes, in what was a mediocre batting display.
Ireland bowling was led by Paul Stirling (2-12) and Kevin O'Brien (2-17). The other bowlers chipped in with useful contributions as the UAE batsmen found the going tough in this crucial match.
There was a fourth-wicket partnership of 42 runs between Anwar and skipper Khurram Khan (16), but UAE kept losing wickets at regular intervals in the face of some inspired bowling by the Irish.
Placed third in the standings, Ireland have won the only match they have played so far, while UAE are yet to open their account.
Earlier, Ireland have won the toss and have opted to field.
Ireland have one change with Tim Murtagh coming in for McBrine, while UAE have two changes. Ahmed Raza and Asadullah come in.
Teams
Ireland - William Porterfield (capt.), Paul Stirling, Ed Joyce, Gary Wilson (wk), Andrew Poynter, Kevin O'Brien, Stuart Thompson, Max Sorensen, Alex Cusack, George Dockrell, Tim Murtagh
United Arab Emirates - Amjad Ali, Faizan Asif, Khurram Khan (capt.), Swapnil Patil (wk), Shaiman Anwar, Rohan Mustafa, Vikrant Shetty, Amjad Javed, Ahmed Raza, Kamran Shahzad, Sharif Asadullah
Brief scores
United Arab Emirates - 123/6 (Shaiman Anwar 30, Stirling 2-12, O'Brien 2-17)
Ireland - 103/3, target 83 (Joyce 43, orterfield 33*, Asadullah 2-21)
Result - Ireland won by 21 runs (D/L method)
Points - Ireland 2, United Arab Emirates 0
MOM - Ed Joyce (Ireland)
