Ireland v United Arab Emirates
Wisden's review of the 16th match, Ireland v United Arab Emirates
15-Apr-2016
At Brisbane, February 25, 2015 (day/night). Ireland won by two wickets. Toss: Ireland.
Ireland made it two out of two at the World Cup - and 11 in a row against the UAE in limited-overs cricket - though victory was not straightforward. Even Dockrell's winning hit, with four balls remaining, only narrowly eluded a fielder, summing up a run-chase full of thrills and near misses. Opening bowlers Mohammad Naveed and Guruge had found movement under the lights to limit Ireland to 50 for one in 14 overs; Amjad Javed clipped Joyce's off stump, only for the bail to wobble and settle back in the groove. Just after halfway, Ireland were an iffy 97 for four. Then Wilson, who had fallen in single figures in nine of his previous 14 one-day international innings, struck 80 from 69 balls. Even that was upstaged by Kevin O'Brien, who dominated their sixth-wicket stand of 72, smashing 50 from 25. His departure, aiming for a third six, threatened to cede the initiative, before Dockrell settled matters. Earlier, the UAE recovered from 131 for six after 35 overs thanks largely to a maiden ODI hundred for 35-year-old Shaiman Anwar. The Irish bowlers lost their discipline in the batting powerplay, when the UAE added 47, and Shaiman reached three figures from 79 balls, sharing a World Cup record seventh-wicket stand of 107 with Javed in 12 overs. It was not quite enough. IAN CALLENDER
Man of the Match: G. C. Wilson.
Ireland made it two out of two at the World Cup - and 11 in a row against the UAE in limited-overs cricket - though victory was not straightforward. Even Dockrell's winning hit, with four balls remaining, only narrowly eluded a fielder, summing up a run-chase full of thrills and near misses. Opening bowlers Mohammad Naveed and Guruge had found movement under the lights to limit Ireland to 50 for one in 14 overs; Amjad Javed clipped Joyce's off stump, only for the bail to wobble and settle back in the groove. Just after halfway, Ireland were an iffy 97 for four. Then Wilson, who had fallen in single figures in nine of his previous 14 one-day international innings, struck 80 from 69 balls. Even that was upstaged by Kevin O'Brien, who dominated their sixth-wicket stand of 72, smashing 50 from 25. His departure, aiming for a third six, threatened to cede the initiative, before Dockrell settled matters. Earlier, the UAE recovered from 131 for six after 35 overs thanks largely to a maiden ODI hundred for 35-year-old Shaiman Anwar. The Irish bowlers lost their discipline in the batting powerplay, when the UAE added 47, and Shaiman reached three figures from 79 balls, sharing a World Cup record seventh-wicket stand of 107 with Javed in 12 overs. It was not quite enough. IAN CALLENDER
Man of the Match: G. C. Wilson.