ICC T20 World Cup 2014: Ireland v UAE

Having secured a nervy win against Zimbabwe in their opening match of the ICC World Twenty20 2014 campaign in Bangladesh, Ireland’s cricketers face tournament newbies United Arab Emirates today.  With Zimbabwe overcoming the Netherlands earlier this morning, with a six off the final ball, a win would put Ireland top of the group, two points clear with only one game left – against the Netherlands on 21st March.    After the opening round of games, the top team in each of the two qualifier groups will progress to the Super 10 stage.  Text coverage at Cricket Ireland.

Ireland won the toss and put UAE in to bat first.  ESPNcricinfo live text commentary.

UAE Innings

Faizan Asif run out 11 (15balls 1×4 0x6) FoW 35 for 1 from 5 overs

Amjad Ali c Dockrell b Stirling 20 (19balls 4×4 0x6) FoW 46 for 2 from 6.1 overs

SP Patil c Porterfield b Stirling 0 (3balls) FoW 46 for 3 from 6.4 overs

Shaiman Anwar c & b O’Brien 30 (28balls 0x4 2×6) FoW 88 for 4 from 14 overs

Khurram Khan c Joyce b Murtagh 16 (21balls 1×4 0x6) FoW 90 for 5 from 14.3 overs

Amjad Javed c Joyce b O’Brien 19 (21balls 3×4 0x6) FoW 115 for 6 from 19 overs

Rohan Mustafa not out 13 (13balls 0x4 0x6)

V Shetty not out 1 (1ball)

UAE Total 123 for 6 from 20 overs.

Target 124 runs.  Ireland restricted the UAE to a run rate of 6.15 per over and took a handful of key wickets in the process.  That sets up what should be a comfortable target of 124 runs from 20 overs.  Ireland just need to play sensibly and keep their heads.  But this is Twenty20…

Ireland Innings

WTS Porterfield not out 33 (35balls 2×4 1×6)

PR Stirling retired hurt 8 (5balls 2×4 0x6) 15 for 0 from 1.1 overs

EC Joyce c Khurram Khan b Sharif Asadullah 43 (38balls 4×4 1×6) FoW 95 for 1 from 12.3 overs

KJ O’Brien c Shetty b Sharif Asadullah 0 (2balls) FoW 96 for 2 from 13 overs

AD Poynter  b Amjad Javed 4 (5b 1×4 0x6) FoW 101 for 14 overs

G Wilson not out 1 (1ball)

Ireland total 103 for 3 from 14.2 overs

After 2 separate floodlight failures there was a further rain delay and, with the forecast poor, Duckworth Lewis was called upon.

The D/L target was 82 for 3 after 14.2 overs.

Ireland win by 21 runs by D/L method.

Ireland now top of Group B.  Beat the Netherlands in the final game on Friday morning (9.30 GMT) and they’re through to the Super 10.

Adds Highlights via cricketirelandtv