Dockrell leads Ireland closer to victory

Ireland needed less than two overs to bowl out UAE in their first innings for 213, enforced the follow-on courtesy a whopping 279-run lead and George Dockrell's persistent threat has brought the hosts within sight of kicking off their Intercontinental Cup defence with a victory in Dublin.

UAE began the day at 207 for 8, with half-centurion Shaiman Anwar at the crease, but he sent the 11th ball of the day from seamer Craig Young to cover point. Manjula Guruge did not last long after that, caught by Ireland captain William Porterfield to give Dockrell his first wicket of the day.

Asked to bat again, UAE's openers Asif Iqbal and Amjad Ali had negotiated the new ball and took the score to 40 for 0 when they ran into Dockrell. Seven runs later, Ireland's left-arm spinner dismissed both batsmen. Then Paul Stirling's part-time off breaks provided a useful boost when he lured Khurram Khan's edge and UAE were 67 for 3.

Then Saqib Ali and Swapnil Patil came together and steadied the wobble. The picked off 100 runs in 38.3 overs for the fourth wicket. Patil was the aggressor, with 40 of his 63 runs coming off boundaries. The No. 3 Saqib held fast at his end, taking 207 balls for 51 runs.

Dockrell was the man to upset the partnership. He drew Patil out of his crease and had him stumped. He also handed a duck to the new batsman Anwar to finish with 34 overs, 93 runs and four key wickets. And, UAE were back in trouble at 165 for 5.

The lower order managed a couple of good cameos. Fayyaz Ahmed made a brisk 32-ball 21. Amjad Javed dug in for 36 off 55 balls before Stirling, bowling legspin this time, enjoyed another stroke of luck and had Javed ninth man out with UAE 28 runs away from making Ireland bat again.