Johnston confident ahead of UAE clash

Holders Ireland will be eyeing maximum points when they take on United Arab Emirates in the ICC Intercontinental Cup tie at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi starting on Thursday.

A win will see Ireland, currently on 29 points from two games, jump to second spot in the table. Kenya are leading with 66 points, but have already played two additional games, so have second-placed Namibia, who have 48 points from four matches.

Although UAE are out of reckoning for a spot in the final, Trent Johnston, the Ireland captain, says his team won't be taking their opponents lightly. "It will not be a walk in the park for us and we will have to play really well to collect maximum points which is our main objective," he said. "UAE have been unlucky in the last few games and they have a pretty experienced side.

"It will not be easy and we will have to grab every opportunity that comes our way. The best way of winning the game will be to dominate the proceedings from the very first session and that is what we plan to do."

Johnston was confident of the squad overcoming any obstacles. "Obviously, change of weather conditions is one while the other is that we are playing a first-class game as a unit for the first time in almost nine months though most of the boys have been playing competitive cricket in South Africa recently.

"But we are experienced enough to cope with these challenges and as I said earlier, we know what it requires to win a tournament. Adaptability and adjustment to different conditions is part of that package."

Boyd Rankin, the tall pace bowler, is out of action after suffering a stress fracture in the foot last December. Rankin, who has signed for Warwickshire, is currently remodelling his action under the supervision of Allan Donald, the county's bowling coach.

"Rankin's absence is a blow because he gets you key wickets," Johnston said. "But on the other side of the coin, it is a good opportunity for a youngster to step up and try to avail the chance by putting up a good performance."

Greg Thompson, the Ireland Under-19 captain at the recently-concluded World Cup in Malaysia, and his team-mate Paul Stirling have been included in the squad.

UAE, on the other hand, are looking to salvage some confidence after a disappointing campaign so far. "If we put up good performances and manage to pull a victory in one of our last two matches, we will be able to restore some of our battered pride and confidence," Saqib Ali, the UAE captain, said. "Ireland are the reigning champion and it will not be easy for us but at this level, you can't expect easy games.

"We are in a developing and rebuilding phases and every match that we play has a lot of value in terms of players' development."

Squads
UAE Saqib Ali (capt), Arshad Ali, Khurram Khan, Nizel Fernandes, Shadeep Silva, Fahad Alhashmi, Shoaib Sarwar, Sameer Zia, Zahid Shah, Naeemuddin Aslam, Ahmed Raza, Muhammed Aman Ali, Obaid Hameed, Amjad Ali, Amjad Javed, Rashid Khan, Qasim Zubair and Abdul Rehman.

Ireland Trent Johnston (capt), William Porterfield, Andre Botha, Alex Cusack, Philip Eaglestone, Thinus Fourie, Gary Kidd, Dave Langford-Smith, Kyle McCallan, Eoin Morgon, Kevin O'Brien, Niall O'Brien, Paul Stirling, Reinhardt Strydom, Greg Thompson.