Ireland ease past UAE in T20I series opener

DUBAI: Gareth Delany and Matthew Humphreys's economical bowling figures powered Ireland to a 57-run victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the first T20I of the two-match series here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Ireland captain Paul Stirling's decision to bat first paid dividends as his team's batting unit piled up 178/6 in 20 overs, courtesy of a combined effort, led by right-handed opener Ross Adair, who with a 29-ball 39, hitting five fours and a six.

He was closely followed by wicketkeeper batter Lorcan Tucker, who made 38 off 25 deliveries with the help of fours and two sixes, while Ben Calitz (26), Curtis Campher (25) and George Dockrell (22) made vital contributions to Ireland's total.

For the UAE, Haider Ali and Junaid Siddique bagged two wickets each, while Muhammad Arfan made one scalp.

Set to chase a daunting 179-run target, the home side could accumulate 121 runs before getting bowled out in 19.5 overs despite captain Muhammad Waseem's anchoring knock.

The experienced opener remained the top-scorer for the hosts in the run chase with a 37-ball 40, comprising three sixes and as many fours. He also shared a 54-run partnership with fellow opener Aryan Sharma, who made 23 off 17 deliveries with the help of two sixes and a four.

Besides them, middle-order batter Alishan Sharafu (16) and all-rounder Arfan (14) could amass double figures.

Delany and Humphreys jointly led Ireland's bowling charge as they both returned economical bowling figures of 3/26 in their respective overs. Barry McCarthy, on the other hand, claimed two wickets for as many runs in 3.5 overs, while Mark Adair and Dockrell chipped in with one scalp apiece.

For his economical bowling performance, Delany was adjudged the Player of the Match.