T20 Series UAE 1-1 IRE 14th Feb & 16th Feb 2016

1st T20I


Ireland 134/8 (20/20 ov)
United Arab Emirates 100 (19.2/20 ov)
Ireland won by 34 runs

Ireland's bowlers rallied around a three-wicket haul from Kevin O'Brien, as the team successfully defended a meager total of 134 against UAE, in Abu Dhabi.

UAE, who needed to score at just under seven an over, failed to gather any momentum in their innings, as their attempts at stitching together big partnerships were dashed by wickets at regular intervals. A few batsmen made starts, but nobody was able to contribute more than 24, as the entire team just managed eight boundaries. O'Brien was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with stingy figures of 4-0-14-3, while Tim Murtagh, Craig Young and Boyd Rankin chipped in with two scalps apiece, dismissing UAE for 100.


Earlier, Ireland, after being inserted, were struggling at 19 for 4 inside five overs before the O'Brien brothers Kevin and Niall led a recovery by putting together a 55-run partnership. Niall top-scored with a 29-ball 38, but it was a Max Sorensen's 15-ball 26 which provided Ireland a late surge and lifted them over the 130-run mark. Amjad Javed picked up three wickets for UAE, but conceded 41 runs from his four overs.



2nd T20I

United Arab Emirates 133/7 (20/20 ov)
Ireland 128/9 (20/20 ov)

United Arab Emirates won by 5 runs

United Arab Emirates completed a stunning comeback to defend 133 against Ireland and level the two-match series 1-1, in Abu Dhabi. Chasing 134 for victory, Ireland were coasting at 91 for 1 after 12.4 overs, before losing their way.

William Porterfield was run out in the penultimate over, for a 60-ball 72, with Ireland still requiring 13 off 10 but not more than a run-a-ball was conceded thereafter. Mohammad Shahzad, tasked with defending nine off the final over, gave away just three.

The chase looked like a canter with openers Porterfield and Paul Stirling adding 61 off 36 balls. However, Ireland crumbled after losing wickets in clusters. Save the top three, no other batsman crossed 5. Mohammad Naveed, Ahmed Raza and Shahzad were all economical and picked up two wickets apiece.


UAE posted a total of 133 for 7 on the back of Swapnil Patil's 37-ball 31 and a host of cameos. Captain Amjed Javed provided the required impetus towards the end with a brisk 19. Boyd Rankin was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3 for 17, while Max Sorensen returned figures of 4-0-16-2.