Ireland win after numerous delays

Cricket365
March 19, 2014

Ireland won their World Twenty20 qualifier against the United Arab Emirates by 21 runs thanks to the Duckworth-Lewis method in Sylhet, sitting on 103 for three when rain interrupted and the power went out.

The Emirati side had recorded a meagre 123 for six earlier in the day, with Paul Stirling taking two wickets, before Ireland made light work of the chase thanks to Ed Joyce and William Porterfield's efforts.

The power went out three times when the storm arrived in the evening, and then rain on top of that made sure that the game was over. Though Ireland were well on their way to winning, with more than five overs to go.

Ireland had won the toss and chosen to field, looking to ensure a small target. The UAE openers got off to a reasonable start and put on 35 together, before Stirling removed two quick wickets and Tim Murtagh affected a run out.

There was some resistance in the middle overs when Khurram Khan (16), Shaiman Anwar (30) and Amjad Javed (19) tried to steady the ship. Kevin O'Brien had other ideas though and took two late wickets to stem the flow.

Ireland's chase was an easy one from the get-go, with Porterfield and Joyce putting on 70 together after Stirling had to retire injured. He was hit on the elbow and couldn't continue, leaving the field with the score on 15.

Joyce and his skipper then took the tally to 95, before Joyce fell to Sharif Asadullah for 43. Joyce was unbeaten on 33 when play was stopped, though O'Brien had been bagged for a duck and Andrew Poynter for four in the intervening minutes.

This left Ireland top of group B with a game against the Netherlands to go, essentially putting them into the next round of the tournament.