Ireland defeated a spirited United Arab Emirates side by two wickets to make it two wins out of two. Ireland captain William Porterfield won the toss and put UAE into bat, UAE made a decent start with the opening pair putting a stand of 49-runs. However once opener Berenger fell for 13, the Irish bowlers took control. Wickets kept falling and UAE were reduced to 6-131 at one stage. In came Shaiman Anwar who is sometimes referred as the UAE’s version of maverick Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi, he was joined on the crease by lower order batsman Amjad Javed. The pair put together a World Cup record seventh wicket partnership of 107 runs in just 71 deliveries. Amjad was dismissed for 42 while Shaiman who stuck UAE’s first ever World Cup hundred scored 106-runs. The partnership propelled UAE from a precarious position to one of strength, helping the side to a total of 278 runs.
Ireland chase didn’t begin in the best of fashions with opener Paul Stirling departing early on. UAE bowlers bowled well and kept the Irish under check. Ireland lumbered to 4-97 in 25.2 overs and UAE looked to have the upper hand. Andy Balbirnie and Gary Wilson put on a decent partnership; Balbirnie was dismissed for 30, with the score at 171 and in came Kevin O’Brien. Brien smashed the UAE bowlers all over the park and scored a 24-ball half century before departing. Despite wobbling towards the end the Irish kept their nerve to seal a thrilling win.