Ireland vs United Arab Emirates, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier, 2019

That's all from this match. We look forward to your company on Sunday for all the action from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier. Do join us. Cheers!

UAE skipper, Ahmed Raza, says that it is a great feeling and a real morale booster for his team. Feels that Stirling batted really well and they knew he likes to take the innings deep. On being asked about Mustafa's approach at the start, Raza replies that he knows Rohan for more than 10 years now and he is one of the most experienced members of the squad. Mentions that Rohan knows his role and he does not need to be reminded about that. Raza is delighted to be on the winning side as a captain.

Ireland skipper, Gary Wilson, feels that Rohan Mustafa killed the game at the start with his stroke making. Says that the UAE bowled really well and they adapted to the conditions better than them. Credits Ahmed Raza and especially Rohan Mustafa as he took a 4-fer and also scored quickfire runs. He is looking forward to the next game and is confident that they will bounce back.

Man of the Match, Rohan Mustafa, feels that he bowled really well. Shares that he had practiced death bowling and that proved to be very fruitful for him. Further adds that they wanted to bowl slow as they saw in their previous match how it affected them. Tells that they knew that it was not easy to clear the boundaries as the ground is very big. On his death bowling, Mustafa replies that he is used to bowling in the death overs even in the Canadian T20 League. He states that they decided to attack the spinners from the word go and believes that luck was also on his side today.

Ireland will be disappointed with their overall performance. Their batsmen didn't apply themselves on a demanding surface and it was only Paul Stirling who showed the stomach for a fight. But a flurry of wickets in the backend of their batting innings hurt them badly and they suffered a humiliating loss. The move to start with spinners backfired on the Irish team and post that, skipper Gary Wilson didn't show enough faith in his tweakers. The speedsters bowled their hearts out but there wasn't much help for them. It's a reality check for them and they have to revisit their strategies before the next match.

A chase well-planned in the end by the home team! They knew that the pitch will slow down and stroke making won't be easy and hence pressed on the accelerator inside the Powerplay. Rohan Mustafa took the charge and then the pair of Darius D'Silva and Muhammad Usman continued with the momentum. The early onslaught meant that there was no scoreboard pressure on UAE and in spite of some good bowling by Ireland, the hosts sailed home with 3 overs to spare.

Thumping victory for UAE! They got outplayed last evening and have bounced back to thrash one of the pre-tournament favourites in Ireland. It was the Rohan Mustafa all-round show that hurt the Irish team! He first claimed a 4-wicket haul and then provided the early impetus to the run chase. His innings caught Ireland off guard and they never really recovered.

16.6

4

FOUR! UAE win by 5 wickets and with three overs left! A full toss on the pads, Ahmed picks it up and lifts it over the infield for a boundary at mid-wicket. Smiles return in the home team's camp.

16.5

1

Width on offer outside off, Boota gets it away off the bottom edge towards gully for one.

16.4

.

Soft outside edge! Slower in pace and it's on a length outside off. Boota pushes inside the line and gets an outside edge. It goes on one bounce to the keeper.

16.3

.

A low full toss on off, Boota tries flicking but it takes the leading half of his bat and rolls to the left of mid off.

16.2

1

Slower one, on a length and wide outside off, Ahmed winds up for a big shot but after realizing the slowness of the delivery, he just plays it down to point for one.

16.1

1

Good length delivery outside off, Boota guides it down to third man for a run.

Mark Adair is back on to bowl what could be the last over of this chase.

15.6

.

The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.

15.5

.

Good length delivery just outside off, Ahmed looks to guide it fine towards third man but misses.

15.4

6

SIX! Full length ball and Waheed sends this delivery packing over mid-wicket as he plays a slog for a maximum.

Mohammad Boota is the new batsman.

15.3

W

OUT! RUN OUT! Disaster strikes twice for UAE! Shoddy running to say the least. Fullish ball just outside off, Waheed Ahmed plays this one towards the off side and sets off for a run. However, he then denies his partner and D'Silva is sold down the river. The fielder there, Dockrell, picks it up and throws it to the bowler who dislodges the bails in no time. Wicket number 5 down for UAE and they would want to improve on their running between the wickets in the next game.

15.2

1

On the pads of Darius, he flicks it towards square leg for a single.

15.1

.

Good length ball on middle and leg, pushed toward mid on.

Bowling change. Shane Getkate returns into the attack to bowl the 16th over.

14.6

4

FOUR! On the pads of Ahmed, he flicks it nonchalantly towards backward square leg for a boundary. UAE just 11 runs short of the victory.

14.5

.

Good length ball outside off, pushed towards point.

14.4

.

Loud appeal by the Irish players but looks out of desperation rather than anything else. Fullish ball outside off, Ahmed looks to drive this one but misses ity. The ball goes to Wilson and the Irish players appeal but nothing from the umpire.

14.3

1

On the pads, Darius flicks this one towards square leg and takes a single.

Waheed Ahmed is the new batsman.

14.2

W

OUT! Big mix-up and UAE have lost another wicket! Is there any twist in the tale? 16 needed more off 34 balls. A good length ball around off, D'Silva plays it down towards point where Tector dives full length to his right to stop the racing ball. Seeing Darius initially interested in a run, Shahzad puts his skates on and scoots to the other end. Tector quickly recovers from his dive, gets up to pick the ball and throws it to the bowler. Both batsmen are at the striker's end and Delany easily takes the bails off at his end. Suicidal.

14.1

1

Length ball outside off, Shahzad helps it towards third man for one.

13.6

1

Length ball outside off, Shahzad guides this one towards third man for a single.

13.5

.

Shahzad almost chops it on. Length ball just outside off, Shahzad looks to guide it towards third man but bottom edges it almost onto the off pole. Close call! It bounces over the stumps.

13.4

.

Length ball around off, Shahzad defends this one off the back foot.

Slight halt in play. Shahzad spots that the piece of a stud has been broken and he picks it up and gives it to the umpire.

13.3

1

Length ball outside off, D'Silva pushes this one towards point for a single.

13.2

2

Darius shuffles across and flicks this one towards mid-wicket for a couple.

13.1

.

Length ball close to the body, pushed towards point.

12.6

.

Play and a miss! Fuller in length and wide outside off, Rameez throws his bat but fails to make any connection. Although there seems to be some noise. No one is appealing, so no use.

12.5

1

Pitches it up and outside off, D'Silva drives it with good timing to sweeper cover for a single. 21 more needed.

12.4

.

Full and on middle, driven back to the bowler.

12.3

4

FOUR! What a shot! Delany digs in a short delivery, Darius hangs on the back foot, fetches it from outside off and nails his pull shot to the deep mid-wicket fence. His first boundary after facing 32 balls.

12.2

1

Angles in a length ball on middle, Shahzad eases it off his pads through backward square leg for one. 100 comes up for UAE!

12.2

1wd

Wide! Loose delivery. Puts a slip in place and bowls a shortish length ball down the leg side. Rameez shoulders arms.

A slip comes in for the new batsman.

12.1

1

Starts with a good length ball on middle and leg, D'Silva works it through square leg for a run.

Rameez Shahzad is the new batsman. 29 needed off 48 balls. Change of ends for David Delany as well.

11.6

W

OUT! CAUGHT! Usman departs after a good cameo! Jaffa by Rankin to dismiss him but he has done his work here. Good length ball on the off pole line, Usman looks to defend this one off the back foot. The ball though nips away a fraction and takes the outside edge of Usman's blade. It carries to skipper Wilson behind the stumps who takes it easily. Just a hiccup in the run chase for UAE.

11.5

1

Good fielding by Tector! D'Silva plays this length ball towards backward point. Tector dives to his right and parries the ball towards cover. The batters take one as the cover fielder picks the ball, turns and has a shy at the non-striker's end.

11.4

.

Length ball on off, Darius D'Silva defends this one off the back foot.

11.3

1

Usman plays this one towards the off side for a single.

11.2

4

FOUR! Short of a length ball outside off, Muhammad rocks back and pulls this one away towards mid-wicket for a sensational boundary.

11.1

.

Run out chance missed by Ireland! Usman plays this one towards extra cover and steps out looking for a run. The non-striker responds but then Usman sends him back. The fielder from extra cover attacks the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses.

Boyd Rankin is back into the attack. 2-0-16-0 from him so far.

10.6

.

Length ball again, D'Silva cuts this one straight to point. UAE need 35 off 54 balls.

10.5

1

Length ball outside off, slower in pace, Usman waits and guides this one fine towards third man for one.

10.5

1wd

Wide! Down the leg side, Usman looks to flick it down the leg side but misses.

10.4

.

Usman pushes this one off the front foot towards mid on.

10.3

4

FOUR! UAE on a roll! Length ball outside off, Muhammad Usman goes back and cuts this through point for a boundary. Ireland continue to leak runs.

10.2

2

On the pads of Usman, he flicks this one toward deep square leg. The batters take a couple.

10.1

1

Darius D'Silva flicks this one towards mid-wicket for a single.

Mark Adair returns into the attack. 2-0-5-1, he was exceptional in his first spell.

9.6

.

Usman punches this length ball off the back foot towards the off side. 11 from the over and UAE are in cruise control of this chase.

9.5

4

FOUR! Now a comeback by Usman! Good length ball outside off, Muhammad Usman crunches it through extra cover for a smashing boundary. Best shot of the evening!

9.4

.

Good comeback by David! Length ball just outside the off pole, Usman cannot do anything with it and guides it towards backward point.

9.3

4

FOUR! Good batting by Usman! Short of a length ball outside off, Usman rocks back and pulls this one towards mid-wicket for a boundary.

9.2

2

Short of a length ball outside off, Usman strokes it towards the deep point region for a couple.

9.2

1wd

Wide! Third wide in two overs by David. Not what Ireland want. Down the leg side, Usman looks to pull it fine towards the leg side but misses. Wided.

9.1

.

Fullish ball on middle and leg, Usman pushes this one towards mid on.

8.6

.

Good fielding by Getkate! D'Silva pushes this one back towards mid on. Getkate at mid-wicket runs across and dives to his left to save a run. Good effort!

8.5

1

UAE keeping the scoreboard ticking. Usman pushes this floated one towards cover for a single.

8.4

1

D'Silva flicks this one towards square leg for a single.

8.3

1

On the pads of Usman, he flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single.

8.2

4

FOUR! Up and over! Floated outside off, too much width on offer. Usman lifts this one over the cover fielder and the ball races to the fence.

8.1

.

Good start by Gareth. Floats this one up in the air, the ball pitches and straightens beating the outside edge of Usman's blade.

Gareth Delany, the cousin of David, is into the attack now. He is a leggie.

7.6

.

Darius defends this good length ball back towards the bowler. End of a successful over for Ireland.

7.5

1

Fuller this time on middle and off, Usman pushes this one towards cover and takes a single to get off the mark.

7.5

1wd

Wide! Another one down the leg side, again Usman looks to flick but misses.

7.4

.

Muhammad Usman punches this one off the back foot towards backward point.

7.4

1wd

Wide! Down the leg side, Usman looks to flick but misses. Wide signalled.

7.3

.

Usman defends his first ball off the back foot towards the bowler.

Muhammad Usman is the next man in for UAE.

7.2

W

OUT! TIMBER! The man in form for UAE is out of here! Back of a length ball on the leg pole line, Mustafa rocks back and makes room to cut this one through the off side. However, he misses his attempted shot as he is beaten for pace and Delany hits the stumps. David is pumped up as he knows the key man is out of here. UAE need 65 off 76 balls but Ireland are in with a shout now.

7.1

1

Fullish ball on middle and leg, D'Silva pushes this one towards mid on for a single.

David Delany is into the attack now.

6.6

1

Another single! Full and on off, this is stroked towards mid off for one.

6.5

3

Excellent running! A short one on the body, Rohan pulls it down towards deep backward square leg. The batters take two and then Darius wanted the third. Mustafa hesitates but goes for it. In the end they complete it with ease.

6.4

1

A slower short ball on off, D'Silva pulls it through mid-wicket for one.

6.3

.

Good length again on off, Darius digs it out to covers.

6.2

1

One more single as this is pushed towards cover again.

6.1

1

Good length and on off, this is pushed through covers for one.

Shane Getkate is into the attack now.

5.6

.

Length delivery outside off, Mustafa looks to cut but misses it. Powerplay dominated by UAE! They have got a perfect start.

5.5

1

Darius looks to defend but it comes off the inside edge onto the pads. The ball rolls towards the off side and takes a single.

5.4

2

Punched off the back foot by the batsman through point. A spirited effort by the fielder to ensure the ball doesn't cross the line. They manage to come back for the second.

5.4

2wd

Short ball wide outside off, Mustafa first looks to help it but then tries to play the upper cut. He misses the ball completely as it is too wide. Wided by the umpire after a long thought.

5.3

1

Good single this one. Darius drops this one towards the point region and takes a single.

5.2

.

Length ball on off, D'Silva defends this one back towards the bowler.

5.1

1

Mustafa moves across to the leg side and looks to hit it through the off side. Rankin however follows him and bowls it on his body. Rohan works it towards fine leg and takes a single.

4.6

.

A dot to end! Adair gets away with one there. Another top over by him. This is short and outside off. D'Silva looks to cut but misses.

4.5

.

One more slower one outside off, Darius looks to defend but is beaten.

4.4

1

Rohan comes down the track but Adair bowls it on the body. He drops it towards the off side and takes one.

4.3

1

A single now! Shorter and around off, the batter makes room and hits it towards point for one.

4.2

.

Another slower one. The batter plays it towards point. He wants a run but is sent back.

4.1

.

A slower ball outside off, D'Silva goes after it but misses.

3.6

4

FOUR! He being off strike has surely not done any harm to his momentum. He has smoked this delivery. Mustafa makes room and Rankin bowls it full and on the stumps. RM crashes it through covers for a boundary. 9 from this over!

Rohan Mustafa is finally on strike. He last faced a ball in the second over and since has been deprived of strike. Has that hampered his momentum?

3.5

1

Almost drags it on! This is shorter and outside off, D'Silva looks to push at it away from the body but ends up getting an inside edge which goes closely past the stumps and on the leg side for one.

3.4

2

A lovely shot that. This is slightly short and on off, the batter stands tall, gets on top of the bounce and hits it through point for a couple.

3.3

.

One more ball on a length around off, D'Silva goes back and keeps it out.

3.2

.

Fuller and on the pads, this is flicked to the man at mid-wicket.

3.1

.

Gets it right this time. On off, this is kept out nicely.

3.1

1wd

Rankin has not got it right here. Another wide by him. Down the leg side, the batter looks to flick but misses. Wided again.

3.1

1wd

A false start by him. Down the leg side, the batter looks to flick but misses. Wided.

Skipper Gary Wilson is a quick learner. He is not going to bowl any more spin inside the Powerplay. Brings his speedster Boyd Rankin now. He needs to do something similar to what Adair did in the last over.

2.6

1

A single to end a successful over. This is on the pads, it is worked through square leg for one.

2.5

.

One more good length ball on off, the batter keeps it out.

2.4

2

Edgy runs! Two. One more slower ball on off, the batter looks to defend but the ball goes off the outside edge down towards third man.

2.3

.

On middle, the batter works it to mid-wicket.

Darius D'Silva walks out to bat.

2.2

W

OUT! Kaboom! Why didn't they start with this guy? He comes on and straightaway takes a wicket. A much-needed one for Ireland. Yes, it is not the man who is smashing them around the park but a wicket is a wicket. That is an excellent slower one. Full and on middle. Ahmed is way too early in his heave. He misses and the ball hits the stumps behind. Ireland need a few more quickly.

2.1

.

Good length and on middle, this is pushed to mid on.

Mark Adair to bowl now.

1.6

4

FOUR! Floated outside off, Mustafa now takes the aerial route and goes over the covers. Mustafa has come out all guns blazing and wants to end the run chase quickly it seems. 32 in two overs!

1.5

4

FOUR! Another reverse sweep and similar result. Again Mustafa goes down on one knee to this ball and reverse sweeps it powerfully through backward point for a boundary. Rohan is on fire!

1.4

4

FOUR! Reverse swept in style! Floated outside off, Mustafa gets down on one knee and reverse sweeps this one through the point region for a boundary.

1.3

1

Full and floated on middle, pushed towards mid on for one.

1.2

1

Dropped? Short and wide outside off, Mustafa goes back and cuts it towards the man at point. Gareth Delany there dives forward and tries to catch it but the ball falls just short.

1.1

1

Flatter delivery on the pads, he flicks this one towards square leg for one.

Paul Stirling to bowl from the other end.

0.6

4

FOUR! Make that three in a row! 17 from the first over. UAE have got off to an excellent start. Top notch batting. Mustafa is toying with the field here. They brought the square leg up. He brings out the slog sweep and hits it over the man there and bags another boundary.

0.5

4

FOUR! Third boundary in the over. Mustafa is on a roll in this game. Did it with the ball and now doing it with the bat. He steps down the track again and lofts it with ease over the bowler for one more boundary.

0.4

4

FOUR! Second boundary in the over and this is better than the last one. Mustafa comes down the track again, gets to the pitch of the ball and lofts it over the bowler's head for a boundary.

0.3

.

Slightly shorter this time, the batter works it to the man at square leg.

0.2

4

FOUR! Up and over! That is some shot and some way to get off the mark! First ball but Mustafa needs no sighters. He makes room, gets a full ball and hits it over mid on for a boundary.

0.1

1

UAE are off the mark! This is fired on the pads, it is worked through mid-wicket for one.

We are back for the chase. The Irish players are back out on the field after a sub-par batting performance. They are joined by the UAE openers, Rohan Mustafa and Ashfaq Ahmed. George Dockrell to start the proceedings for Ireland with the ball.

Well, last evening UAE managed just 108 on a similar kind of a pitch. What will be their approach this time? Ireland have a good bowling attack and change in pace is going to be the key. Promises to be a close chase, do join us in a short while.

Not too bothered about batting first, Ireland once again lost Kevin O'Brien cheaply. Andy Balbirnie too failed to get going for a change and Paul Stirling was left to do the dirty work. He didn't get much support from the other end but kept on fighting. Usually known for his power hitting, Paul curbed his natural instinct and played according to the situation. His partnership with Mark Adair propelled Ireland somewhat and they managed to reach a total of 125 which on this surface looks like a challenging one.

6 wickets in the last 9 balls, mayhem! UAE have bounced back! They were miserable in the field last evening but pulled up their socks against a bigger challenge in Ireland. Their spinners led the way with some really accurate and tidy bowling. Rohan Mustafa was sensational with a 4-wicket haul while the likes of Ahmed Raza and Sultan Ahmed were exceptional as well.

19.6

W

OUT! Another run out! Just the 3 runs and 4 wickets in the last over. The last ball is played towards long on. They take one and go for the second which is probably not on. The fielder picks it up and fires it to the bowler who collects it and then throws it onto the stumps. An appeal and up goes the finger. IRELAND HAVE BEEN BOWLED OUT FOR 125!

19.5

1

One more very full ball on middle, Rankin looks to jam it out but it goes off the inside edge towards short fine leg for one.

Boyd Rankin is the last man in for the Irish.

19.4

W

OUT! That is as plumb as it gets! Another one bites the dust. Mustafa has another wicket. His 4th. This is extremely full and on middle, Delany looks to play it across the line but misses. It hits the front pad. An appeal and up goes the finger.

Shane Getkate is the new man in.

19.3

W

OUT! RUN OUT! A late, late decision there by the umpire. Dockrell can't believe it but he has to walk back and replays show that it is the right decision. Good one by the umpire as it was not an easy decision. A yorker on off, it is jammed out to the left of the bowler. The striker wants a run. Dockrell hesitates but then goes for it. The bowler picks the ball up and fires it to the keeper. It is not the best of throws as it is wide. The keeper collects it and then throws it onto the stumps. An appeal but the umpire is not sure. He thinks, thinks and thinks and then the finger goes up.

19.2

1

No hat-trick. He bowls a full toss on middle, this is hit down to long on for one.

George Dockrell to face potentially the last 5 balls. He will be facing the hat-trick ball as Mustafa took a wicket on the last ball of his last over and a wicket on the first ball of this over.

19.1

W

OUT! TIMBER! Two wickets in two balls for UAE. Ideal start to the last over as the guy who had spent some time in the middle is walking back. He comes down the track. The ball initially tends to come in but then drifts away. Adair plays down the wrong line, misses and the off stump goes for a walk. Can UAE keep Ireland under 130? Also, Mustafa will be on a hat-trick as he picked up a wicket on the final ball of his last over.

Rohan Mustafa to bowl the last over.

18.6

W

OUT! CHOPPED ON! Gareth Delany departs after a very short stay at the crease. Short of a length ball on off, slower in pace, Delany tries to pull this powerfully towards the leg side with a jump. However, he manages to get just an inside edge on that one and he chops that onto the middle and off pole. Ireland falling apart in the end here.

18.5

2

Short ball outside off, Delany gets the top half of the bat on it and the ball rolls towards long on for a couple.

Gareth Delany is the new man in.

18.4

W

OUT! RUN OUT! Paul Stirling has run out of steam probably in these super hot conditions. Fullish ball on middle and leg, Stirling drives this one down the ground towards long on. Adair is off from the non-striker's end for a double but Paul looks tired on the first run itself. He obliges to the call for the second run from Adair as he is not running to the danger end. However, the fielder at long on is clever enough to throw it to the keeper. Boota collects it and whips the bails off and finds Stirling well short. He is dismissed after playing a brilliant knock.

18.3

.

Good yorker by Zahoor Khan! Bowls this one on the middle pole and Stirling does well to jam it out.

18.2

4

FOUR! Sultan tries to go for the catch but it has cost UAE four runs. Was it really the need of the hour? Short of a length ball outside off, Stirling pulls this one uppishly towards mid-wicket. The man there, Sultan, runs to his right, slides and tries to take the catch but does not get to it. The ball goes from underneath him and into the fence.

18.2

1wd

Wide! Full ball wide outside off, but it is way too wide for the batter to get anything on it.

Third man drops back. Long off comes up. The length is going to be readdressed.

18.1

1

Short ball outside off, Adair pulls this one towards mid on uppishly and the batters take one.

Third man comes up...

17.6

1

Another yorker, dipping onto Adair. He manages to dig this one out towards long on for a single. Retains strike for the next over.

17.5

1

Beautiful yorker by Siddique, on the middle pole. Adair makes room and carves it but it goes straight to the man at point.

17.4

4

FOUR! Cheeky, very cheeky. That shot was on and Stirling got the desired result. This is a length ball, Stirling paddle scoops it past short fine leg and bags a boundary. Ireland need a few more before the end of the innings.

17.3

2

Just the two! Boundaries not coming here. A low full toss, not easy to hit those. Stirling manages to mistime it over the bowler's head for two.

17.2

1

One more delivery, right in the blockhole. Adair whips it through mid-wicket for only one. Singles won't harm UAE.

17.1

1

Excellent delivery! A yorker on middle, not a lot Stirling can do there. He jams it out towards point for one.

16.6

.

Full ball outside off, almost on a yorker length. Adair thought that this was too wide for him to play at it and leaves it alone. However, it is inside the tramline and a very valuable dot ball for UAE.

16.6

1wd

Wide! Too short this time, over the head of Adair. Wide signalled.

16.5

.

Short ball outside off, very slow. Adair swings his bat at it but misses the ball completely.

16.4

1

Full ball outside off again, Stirling looks to whip it towards the off side but the ball goes off the bottom edge towards the right of the keeper. The batters set off for a run, the keeper picks it up and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses.

16.3

4

FOUR! Clever batting from Paul Stirling. He was expecting another delivery similar to the last one and he proves to be right. Full and wide outside off, Stirling cuts it between the backward point and third man fielder for a boundary. 100 up for Ireland with this boundary.

16.2

.

Full ball just outside off, Stirling looks to put bat on ball on it but the ball whizzes past the outside edge.

16.1

4

FOUR! An invitation to hit and Stirling gladly accepts it. Shortish delivery outside off, on the slower side, Stirling pulls this one all along the ground towards mid-wicket for a boundary.

15.6

1

A well-compiled and hard earned half ton for Paul Stirling! Siddique bowls this one fuller and on off, Paul pushes this down the ground towards long off to get to his fifty, 15th in this format.

The umpire just has a look at the ball. Not sure what he checked...

15.5

1

Full ball outside off, Adair pushes this one towards cover for one.

15.4

1

Short of a length ball outside off, Paul Stirling pulls this one towards square leg for one.

15.3

2

Length ball on middle, Stirling pushes this one towards long on. The batters want two and they have done well to complete it.

15.2

.

Good bowling by Siddique! Bowls a slower yorker on middle and leg, Stirling does well to dig it out. He was looking to go big at that one but the variation in length and pace stops him.

15.1

1

Fuller one on the pads, Adair flicks this one in front of square leg for a single.

Junaid Siddique is back! He has a wicket to his name in the two overs bowled by him.

14.6

.

Length ball on off, Stirling pushes this one towards the man at cover. He has a shy at the striker's end and hits however the batter never left the crease. Ireland are 87/4 with 5 overs left.

14.5

1

Fullish outside off, Adair pushes this one to cover for a run.

14.4

1

On the pads, Stirling works this one towards short fine leg for a single.

14.3

1

Shortish delivery on middle, Adair pulls this one towards square leg for one.

14.3

1wd

Wide! Down the leg side, Adair looks to flick it but misses. The ball goes through to the keeper and a wide is signalled.

14.2

1

Short of a length on middle and off, Stirling pulls this one with his eyes off the ball towards square leg for a single.

14.1

1

On the hips of Adair, he flicks it towards mid-wicket and takes a single.

Zahoor Khan is on now.

13.6

.

Paul plays this one straight towards the cover fielder.

13.5

2

Stirling pushes this one towards long off for a couple.

13.4

4

FOUR! Brilliant use of the wrists! Short and wide outside off by Waheed, Stirling makes beautiful use of his wrists to find the gap at backward point for a boundary.

13.3

1

Outside off, Adair pushes this one towards the cover region and takes a single.

13.2

.

Adair punches this one off the back foot towards point.

13.1

1

Good fielding by UAE! They have improved from their last match. Length ball on middle and off, Paul opens the face of his bat and guides it fine wide of third man. The fielder there though runs, dives full stretch to his left and saves at least a couple of runs for his side.

Waheed Ahmed is introduced into the attack now.

12.6

4

FOUR! Releases a little pressure this one! A poor ball to end his spell. Also, this one spoils what was a top over till now. Short and on middle, it sits up to be hit. Adair whips it in the gap in the mid-wicket region and bags a boundary. End of Sultan for tonight. His figures read 4-0-31-0.

12.5

.

Uses his feet but does not get to the pitch of the ball. It is played back to the bowler.

12.4

.

Flatter outside off, this is guided to point.

12.3

.

Adair straightaway comes down the track and looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.

12.2

1

Another flatter ball, this is pushed down to long on for one.

12.1

.

This is flatter and on middle, Stirling pushes it back to the bowler.

Mark Adair walks out at no. 6. Also, Sultan Ahmed is back on. He has one over left.

11.6

W

OUT! CAUGHT! The skipper departs! He took the responsibility of scoring the boundaries upon himself but he fails in doing so. Floated outside off, Wilson looks to get down on one knee and slog sweep it over the deep mid-wicket fielder. He connects well but not well enough. Finds Darius D'Silva there almost to perfection who takes a simple catch. Ireland struggling to get going.

11.5

1

This time Stirling gets it right and flicks the ball towards mid-wicket for a single.

11.4

.

Outside off, Stirling shuffles and looks to flick it towards the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads.

11.3

2

Full toss on the off pole, Stirling drives this one towards deep cover and takes a couple.

11.2

4

FOUR! Welcome, welcome boundary this! He is known for his power but here he shows finesse. Uses the pace of the bowler. This is fired full and outside off, Stirling opens the face of the bat and guides it past point for a boundary.

11.1

1b

Wilson looks to be innovative, he tries to reverse sweep but misses. The ball hits the pads and rolls towards short fine leg for one.

10.6

1

Another single to end! This is pushed down to long on for a single.

10.5

1

Shorter and on middle, this is pushed down to long off for one.

10.4

1

This is eased down to long on for a run.

10.3

1

Stirling comes down the track and works it through mid-wicket for one.

10.2

1

Comes down the track and looks to go inside out. The ball turns away a little and the batter ends up slicing it towards sweeper cover for one.

10.1

.

Wilson makes room straightaway. Raza slows it up and lands it on middle, Wilson looks to work it on the leg side but closes the face of the bat and a soft leading edge is induced towards cover.

9.6

1

Wilson pushes this one towards long on and takes a single to get off the mark straightaway.

Gary Wilson, the skipper, is the next man in.

9.5

W

OUT! TIMBER! Tector was nowhere near his sector! Harry looks to come down the track, Mustafa spots it and bowls a flatter one in the line of the stumps. It goes straight beneath the bat of Harry Tector as he looks to dig it out after yorking himself. Stumps shattered. He will be disappointed with the manner of his dismissal. The Irish have been struggling so far in this match against some quality spin bowling and it is highlighted further by this wicket.

9.4

1

Stirling pushes this one towards mid on, off the back foot for one.

9.3

1

On middle and leg, Tector looks to flick this one towards the leg side but the ball goes off the leading edge towards mid on for a single.

9.2

.

Shortish and wide outside off, Harry cuts it towards the man at backward point.

9.1

1

Floats this one on middle and leg, Paul pushes it towards mid-wicket and takes a single.

8.6

.

Tector now tries to play the sweep shot but is a touch early into it. It goes off the bottom edge on the off side. End of a top over by the skipper.

8.5

.

That is unplayable! This lands on middle and then turns square. The batsman looks to defend the original trajectory but gets beaten. However, his second line of defense ends up saving him there as the ball goes past the outside edge and then hits the back pad. Had it not done that, it would have clipped the off pole. The bowler does appeal for an LBW but the umpire shakes his head. That was mighty close.

8.4

1

Stirling comes down the track and works it through square leg for one.

8.3

.

On middle, it is kept out.

8.2

1

Loopy ball on middle, this is eased down to long on for a single.

Harry Tector is the next man in for the Irish.

8.1

W

OUT! Taken! Another good catch! Also, this is a big wicket as Balbirnie has been the man in form for the Irish. Does not make a lot of runs here. The frustration of not being able to score freely gets to him. A flatter short ball on middle, Andy makes room and looks to go over covers but he does not get the desired elevation. Rohan Mustafa times his jump to perfection at the edge of the circle and takes a decent catch. Does the Shikhar Dhawan celebration after that by slapping his thigh. Ireland in a spot of bother here.

7.6

1

On the pads of Andy, he flicks it towards square leg for a single.

7.5

1

Full and floated on the pads, pushed towards mid on for a single.

7.4

.

On the pads, Stirling flicks it to the man at mid-wicket.

7.3

1

Balbirnie pushes this one towards cover off the back foot and takes a single.

7.2

1

Stirling pushes this one towards long off and takes a single.

7.1

.

Ohh! Close call! Down the leg side, Stirling looks to sweep this one down across the line but he gets just the bottom edge on it. The ball then bounces, hits his gloves and runs behind towards the stumps. But luckily for Paul, his back leg is in the way.

Rohan Mustafa is on now. Time for an off spinner now.

6.6

1

Stirling gets to the pitch of the ball and pushes this one down the ground for a single at long off.

6.5

.

The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.

6.4

2

Stirling rocks onto the back foot and push-drives this one towards cover-point. Two runs taken.

6.3

1

On the pads of Balbirnie, he flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single.

6.2

.

First signs of spin on this surface. Raza gives this a bit of air outside off, Balbirnie stays leg side of this delivery and looks to push this one towards the off side. The ball spins away from him and he is beaten all ends up. The keeper is quick to whip the bails off and appeal but the leg umpire says Andy is inside the crease.

6.1

.

Short and wide outside off, Andy cuts it towards the man at backward point.

Ahmed Raza is back! Just the one over he bowled in the Powerplay and he has brought himself back on now.

5.6

3

Three to end the Powerplay! Honors even after the first 6. Ireland are 41 for 1. A short one on middle, this one stays a touch low. Andy looks to pull it but gets an inside edge. The keeper dives to his left and gets a hand to it. Saves a run for his side as that took the pace off the ball and the fielder from short fine leg does the mopping up job.

5.5

.

Good change in length there! Bangs this one short on middle, Balbirnie is surprised by that one, he ducks under it.

5.4

1

Good fielding again! A low full toss on off, Stirling strokes it towards cover where the fielder dives to his right and stops it. Can't stop the single though.

5.3

1

Crunched only for a single! Slightly shorter and outside off, the batter cuts it hard but towards cover-point where the fielder makes a half stop and a run is taken.

5.2

1

A wild heave there! This is on off, Stirling looks to go big but it goes off the inner half through square leg for one.

5.1

.

On the middle pole, Stirling plays it towards point. He thinks of a run but is sent back in time.

4.6

.

On middle and off, Balbirnie gets down on one knee and sweeps this one straight to the man at square leg.

4.5

1

Punched off the back foot by Stirling towards long off. The batters take a single.

4.4

4

FOUR! This time smashed towards the off side. Short and wide outside off, Stirling makes a little bit of room and slaps this through the cover region for a boundary.

4.3

2

On the pads of Stirling, he flicks this one towards square leg and takes a couple.

4.2

4

FOUR! Shortish in length again and this time Stirling heaves this one towards the mid-wicket region for a boundary. Off the inside half of his blade but still enough meat on the shot. Brute power!

4.1

1

Shortish ball on off, Balbirnie pushes this one towards long off and takes a single.

3.6

.

Stirling flicks this one towards the mid-wicket fielder. End of a very good over for UAE.

3.5

.

Loud appeal but nothing from the umpire! Jaffa by Siddique, he bowls this on a length just outside off. Stirling attempts to force it through the line but misses. The ball moves with some extra bounce after crossing the blade and the UAE players appeal. The umpire says no and the bowler is almost in disbelief.

3.4

.

Length ball outside off, Paul Stirling opens the face of his bat and guides it to backward point.

Slip comes out as Paul Stirling is on strike.

3.3

1

On the hips of Balbirnie, he works it towards square leg and takes a single.

3.2

2

Balbirnie off the mark straightaway! A gift for him, way outside off, he cuts it towards backward point and takes a couple.

Andy Balbirnie is the new man in. He has been in excellent form lately and another good innings here is what Ireland would like. The current pair featured in an 86-run stand in the last match. A slip in place for the new batsman.

3.1

W

OUT! CAUGHT! Brilliant catch by Ashfaq Ahmed! He is a big unit but he has done very well to pull that off! Siddique bowls this one fuller and just outside off, O'Brien shuffles across a bit and looks to flick this towards mid-wicket but does so uppishly. Ashfaq there moves across swiftly and dives low down to his right to take a very good catch. The bowling change works for the hosts. An early wicket for UAE and that is just what the doctor ordered!

Junaid Siddique is into the attack now. Just the one over for Sultan.

2.6

.

A dot to end an expensive over by Ahmed. This is on off, it is pushed to covers.

2.5

3

Good fielding! Saves a run for his side. Kevin makes room again and seeing that the bowler follows the batter. O'Brien hits it past the short fine leg fielder. The fielder in the deep makes a lot of ground to his right. Nobody expected him to stop the ball, not even the batters as they are literally jogging to complete the run. The fielder does manage to push it back before it crosses the ropes. Realizing that, the batters rush for the third. They complete it in the end.

2.4

.

Better! A touch fuller and on middle, this is hit back to the bowler.

2.3

4

FOUR! Slapped! Kevin O'Brien once again makes room. Sultan fires it on the stumps but bowls it short. Kevin has enough time to slap it through covers for a boundary.

2.2

.

Flatter and on the stumps, Kevin O'Brien keeps it out.

2.1

2

In the air... but it lands safe! Once again, Kevin O'Brien whips it with the angle, he takes the aerial route over mid-wicket. The fielder in the deep runs to his left and the batters take two.

1.6

.

Excellent fielding by Sultan! Full and floated outside off, Stirling drives this one powerfully towards the cover region. The fielder there, inside the circle, dives to his right superbly and saves a certain boundary.

1.5

.

Floated on off, Paul pushes this one towards the man at cover.

1.4

1

O'Brien drives this one towards the cover region and takes a quick single.

1.3

.

Good bowling! Raza gives this one a lot of air outside off, O'Brien looks to loft it over the cover region but is beaten by the away spin.

1.2

1

Stirling pushes this one towards mid off for a single.

1.1

4

FOUR! Smashed down the ground! This would have been a maximum on most grounds but just a four here. Full and floated on middle and off, Stirling smashes this one over mid on and it goes on the bounce for a boundary.

Stat alert - The pair of Paul Stirling and Kevin O'Brien has been in crackling form while opening the innings for Ireland. The duo has 4 fifty-plus stands to their name. Kevin bagged a diamond duck last evening and would be eager to set the record straight.

Ahmed Raza to bowl from the other end. So two left-arm spinners to begin with.

0.6

4

FOUR! Just a nonchalant flick off his pads and O'Brien gets a boundary towards square leg.

0.5

.

O'Brien punches this one off the back foot towards the off side.

0.4

.

O'Brien looks to paddle this one towards fine leg but misses and is hit on the pads.

0.3

.

Kevin O'Brien defends this one off the front foot.

0.2

1

Another diamond duck was on the cards for Kevin O'Brien but he survives. Stirling pushes this flatter delivery down the ground. The bowler dives to his right and gets a hand to it. The ball rolls towards mid on and Stirling is off for a run. O'Brien is slow off the blocks and almost collides with Stirling on his way to the other end but gets in safely. One run taken and Ireland are underway.

0.1

.

Starts with a flatter delivery just outside the off pole line, Paul Stirling pushes it back to the bowler.

We are all set for the action to begin! Out come the Irish openers, Paul Stirling and Kevin O'Brien. Stirling will take strike and he will be facing Sultan Ahmed. Here we go...

PITCH REPORT - Dirk Nannes says it is hard to score boundaries here. Ed Rainsford then informs it looks flat and it seems a belter. Mentions the average score during the night time is 155. Further adds the shorter side is the one in front and that is where the batters should aim. Ends by saying 180 should be a good total.

Ireland skipper, Gary Wilson, says they anyway wanted to bat, put some runs on the board and put the opposition under pressure. States they can improve a little with the ball. Tells that Rankin was excellent in the last match and he hopes they can do something similar today. Informs there is one change - Shane Getkate comes in for Stuart Thompson.

UAE skipper, Ahmed Raza, says there was a bit of dew last evening and hence they want to bowl first. Feels that they need to trust their training and instincts and go with them. About the wicket, he says that it was a bit slow in the last match but the surface looks better today. Informs about the changes - Mohammad Boota comes in for Ghulam Shabber and Darius D'Silva comes in for Chirag Suri.

UAE Playing XI - Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Darius D'Silva (in for Chirag Suri), Muhammad Usman, Rameez Shahzad, Waheed Ahmed, Mohammad Boota (WK) (in for Ghulam Shabber), Ahmed Raza (C), Sultan Ahmed, Junaid Siddique, Zahoor Khan.

Ireland Playing XI - Kevin O'Brien, Paul Stirling, Andy Balbirnie, David Delany, Gary Wilson (C/WK), Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Shane Getkate (in for Stuart Thompson), Mark Adair, Boyd Rankin, Harry Tector.

Toss - UAE win the toss and choose to bowl first.

Welcome to Match 9 of the ICC Men�s T20 World Cup Qualifier between the United Arab Emirates and Ireland. Ireland will be up and about coming into this match as they were hardly troubled by Hong Kong and cruised to a victory. They will be looking to pile the pressure on the hosts who lost their first game against Oman after a very under par performance with not even a single department clicking for them. They will be looking to remedy that and at least challenge the Irish side. Stay tuned for all the action.

Match Center

Match 9, Abu Dhabi, October 19, 2019, 09:00 PM