ICC I-Cup: Ireland beats UAE by innings margin on Day 4- Ireland v UAE Match Report

ICC I-Cup: Ireland beats UAE by innings margin on Day 4- Ireland v UAE Match Report: Ireland gained full 20 points as they won their game against UAE by an innings and 26 runs. The defending champions needed just 4 deliveries on the final day to wrap up the game after enforcing following on. In the other game, Scotland took the first innings lead against Afghanistan after what looked out to be a tensed last day’s play with rain affecting and Shenwari fighting out with the tail.

Defending Champions of ICC Intercontinental Cup, Ireland played against UAE at Dublin. Ireland were put in to bat by UAE, but they were happy to bat first as they kept going hard against the bowlers on day 1 as Ed Joyce and Paul Stirling had sky as their limit.

Stirling got out for 146 in 197 balls after putting a huge stand with Ed Joyce of 231 runs came in just 47.5 overs. Ed kept going strong as he brought up his double century at the end of Day 1, Ireland finished on 420 for 3.

On day 2, Ireland struggled with the bat as they were bowled out for 492. Ed Joyce got out for a 232 balls 231 which included 29 fours and 3 sixes. Amjad Javed picked up 4 wickets for UAE.

UAE kept losing wickets in their first innings as with Mooney, Dukcrell picking up 3 wickets each and Young outperforming with a 4-wicket haul. As a result, UAE bowled out for 213 on Day 3 morning as Shaiman Anwar top scored with 57 and Asif Iqbal contributing with 43.

Ireland enforced following on and UAE kept losing wickets in second innings as well. However, Swapnil Patil and Saqib Ali shared a century stand for 4th wicket but they were 9 down by end of the day while they needed 28 more runs to avoid innings defeat. Patil top scored with 63 and Saqib score 51. George Dockrell picked up 4 wickets.

Ireland had to wait to complete their victory on final day as the skies got open up and delayed the start. However, Craig Young dismissed the last batsman Mohammad Naveed in 4 balls after the match resumed. With this win, Ireland gained 20 points whereas UAE got none. Ed Joyce was named man of the match for his brilliant run a ball knock of 231.

The veteran player from UAE, Khurram Khan announced his retirement from professional cricket and the game vs Ireland be his last. The 44 year old currently holds the record for been the oldest player to score century in ODIs.

Brief Scorecard:

Ireland: 492 all out in 118.3 overs (Ed Joyce 231; A Javed 4/117) won by an innings and 26 runs.

UAE: 253 all out in 100.4 overs (SP Patil 63, S Ali 51; GH Dockrell 4/93, C Young 3/59) and 213 all out in 71.3 overs (S Anwar 57; CA Young 4/51)

Scotland v Afghanistan: 

The Scotland-Afghanistan game began on Day 2 after the day 1 was abandoned due to wet outfield. Even the 2nd day began with a delay after which Afghanistan elected to field. Scotland had at least 4 batsmen crossing 30 run mark but except Mommsen who scored 77 the remaining batsmen failed to capitalize on the start. Mommsen had a 68 runs stand with Gardiner who score 43 and a 67 run stand with Macleod who scored 38.

Matt Cross scored 30 batting along with tail as Scotland were bowled out for 233 on day 3 morning, another day which started with a delayed start. Rahmat Shah and Samilluah Shenwari picked up 3 wickets each for Afghanistan.

With spinner de Lange picking up a 3-fer and pacers Evans and Gavin Main picked up 2 wickets each, Afghanistan was reduced to 96 for loss of 8 wicket at end of day 3. Captain Stanikai and Rahmat Shah scored 26 and 20 respectively whereas Shenwari remained unbeaten on 29.

The rain romance continued as only 35 overs of play was decided to be played on the final day.

Afghanistan kept their fight on with Shenwari leading it. Shenwari, who resumed from his overnight score of 29 got good support from Dawlatzai as both kept batting long. The partnership threatened Scotland to deny the lead with the less amount of time available for the play.

After Shenwari’s fifty, double strikes by Berrington sent back Dawlatzai and Shirzad in a span of 3 balls giving Scotland a lead of 98 runs. With the first innings lead, Scotland gained 13 points whereas Afghanistan tallied 7 points.

Samiullah Shenwari was awarded the Man of the Match for his fighting batting performance and clinical bowling strikes.

Brief Scorecard:

Afghanistan: 96 for 8 in 45 overs (S Shenwari 51*, A Shanikzai 26; CD de Lange 3/21, RD Berrington 2/2)

Scotland: 233 all out in 72.2 overs (PL Mommsen 77; S Shenwari 3/23)