ICC I-Cup: Ireland on verge of an innings victory - Day 3 report

ICC I-Cup: Ireland on verge of an innings victory – Day 3 report: Ireland had put a step closer for an outright win against UAE part of the ICC Intercontinental Cup as they picked up 9 wickets in the UAE’s second innings after enforcing the follow on. The batting team needs another 28 runs to avoid innings defeat. In other game, Scotland on verge of taking lead against Afghanistan in rain disturbing game as the Scots had 8 wickets down off Afghans who need another 138 runs to take lead.

UAE who began the day at a score of 207 for 8 in the first innings managed to add only another 6 runs. Out of those 5 runs were scored by Shaiman Anwar, who got out for 57. Ireland’s pacer Craig Young picked up 4 wickets as a result they got a huge lead of 279 runs which led them to enforce follow on.

UAE openers gave their side a decent start putting on 40 for first wicket before Dockrell sent both batsman to pavilion with double strike. Asif Iqbal got out after scoring 12 whereas Amjad Ali scored 28. Soon Stirling got rid of Khurram Khan but Ireland seen a partnership building between Saqib Ali and Swapnil Patil. Saqib decided to play long whereas Swapnil played his shot maintaining a decent strike rate.

But Dockrell’s double strike yet again unsettled UAE’s innings. He got Swapnil stumped for 63, which came off 110 balls with 5 fours and soon Shaiman Anwar for duck in his next over. The 4th wicket stand between Swapnil and Saqib lasted for 30 overs and 100 runs came from it.

Fayyaz Ahmed chipped in with 21 but Murtagh got rid of him. Soon in the next over Saqib’s 207 ball resistance came to an end when he was dismissed by Young for 51. Young didn’t let the UAE’s captain stay long as he trapped Taquir in front of the stumps. Amjad Javed with gritty 36 and Guruge with an unbeaten 18 tried to take UAE from innings defeat but Stirling got Amjad out in last minutes of the day’s play.

Brief Scorecard:

UAE: 251 for 9 in 100 overs (SP Patil 63, S Ali 51; GH Dockrell 4/93, PR Stirling 2/31) and 213 all out in 71.3 overs (S Anwar 57; CA Young 4/51) trail Ireland: 492 all out in 118.3 overs (Ed Joyce 231; A Javed 4/117) by 18 runs

The rain continued to trouble the Scotland-Afghanistan match as only 50 overs of play was possible on day 3. And that was enough for Scotland to take a huge advantage in the game.

Scotland, who began the day at 227 for 8 could only add another 6 runs before losing the remaining two wickets. Rahmat Shah and Samiullah Shenwari picked up 3 wickets each.

In reply, Afghanistan lost wicket of Javed Ahmadi on the second ball itself as Evans trapped the right hander in front of stumps. Soon Sharif cleaned up Shehzad and Evans got better off Nawroz Mangal as the Afghans were 3 down for just 9 runs. Stanikzai tried to save his side with a quick 26 but Gavin Main got rid of him. Rahmat Shah was trapped by spinner De Lange who got wickets of Mirwais Ashraf and Ahamdzai. Former captain Nabi got bowled by Main as the Afghan side lost its 8 wickets for just 96. Shenwari topped scored with 29 and remained unbeaten at end of the day.

Brief Scorecard:

Afghanistan: 96 for 8 in 45 overs (S Shenwari 29*, A Shanikzai 26; CD de Lange 3/9, GT Main 2/23) trail Scotland: 233 all out in 72.2 overs (PL Mommsen 77; S Shenwari 3/23) by 137 runs