Press Trust of India
Brisbane, Feb 25: Wicketkeeper-batsman Gary Wilson (80, 69b, 9×4) and Kevin O’Brien (50, 25b, 8×4, 2×6) batted brilliantly to inspire Ireland to a two-wicket victory over United Arab Emirates here Wednesday in a pool B match of the cricket World Cup.
Chasing a challenging 279, man-of-the-match Wilson anchored the Ireland inning’s and shared two crucial stands with A Balbirnie (30) and Kevin for the fifth and sixth wicket respectively to take his team home with four balls to spare.
Wilson forged a 74-run partnership with Balbirnie and then added 72 with Kevin, who had also contributed with two wickets in the UAE innings, as Ireland notched up their second win in as many matches to keep their quarterfinals campaign on track.
Earlier put into bat, little-known Shaiman Anwar (106, 83b, 10×4, 1×60) became the first UAE batsman to notch up a World Cup hundred as they punched above their weight to post a commendable 278 for nine against the UK giant-killers. Anwar was instrumental in resurrecting the fortunes of his team after UAE had slipped to 131 for six. Anwar found an able ally in Ajmal Javed (42, 35b, 5×4) and the two put on 107 runs for the seventh wicket to put UAE in a position of strength.
Then the Asian minnows returned all guns blazing as their bowling attack, led by Amjad Javed (3/60) left Ireland tottering at 171-5 in 38.4 overs. UAE bowlers created a lot of pressure but in the end it was the experience of Ireland’s middle and lower order which helped them to chasing down the total. Also the inability to hit the stumps with direct throws did not aid their cause in the last two overs. Both Alex Cusack (five n o) and George Dockrell (seven n o) survived because the UAE fielders missed simple run out chances from close.
Needing 10 runs off the last 12 balls, No. 10 batsman Dockrell hit a boundary over mid-off off Ajmad in the penultimate over to dash the UAE hopes.
Brief scores: UAE 278 for 9 (Shamiman Anwar 106, Amjad Ali 45; Paul Stirling 2/27, Alex Cusack 2/54) lost to Ireland 279 for 8 in 49.2 overs (Gary Wilson 80, Kevin O’ Brien 50; Amjad Javed 3/60) by two wickets.
