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Ireland clinch narrow Cup win over UAE

25th February, 2015
4

The luck of the Irish has helped deny United Arab Emirates (UAE) a thrilling maiden World Cup victory on Wednesday night.

Gary Wilson (80 off 69) made his own fortune to help guide Ireland (8-279) to a two-wicket win with four balls to spare at the Gabba.

Earlier, No.6 Shaiman Anwar struck 106 and shared a record World Cup seventh-wicket stand of 107 with Amjad Javed (42 off 35) to help lift UAE from 6-131 to 9-278.

Ireland are now on track for a quarter-final berth after backing up their shock opening win over West Indies – thanks to a little luck.

Despite the tense finish, Irish eyes always appeared to be smiling on the Emerald Isle’s team.

Opener Ed Joyce was bowled by Amjad Javed (3-60) on 17 with Ireland on 1-36, only for the bails to remain on the stumps.

Joyce looked back to see the LED lights-fitted bails flash when beaten by Javed then remarkably fall back into their groove.

Joyce’s luck ran out on 37 when Javed had him caught behind, ending a crucial 68-run second wicket stand that set up Ireland’s chase.

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They stumbled at 4-97 in the 26th over before all-rounder Kevin O’Brien’s 25-ball 50 in a 72-run sixth-wicket stand with Wilson got the Irish in sight of a heart-stopping win.

Earlier, Anwar thrashed UAE’s first World Cup and second ODI ton.
Anwar’s knock is a UAE World Cup record highest score, eclipsing Saleem Raza’s 84.

He thrashed 10 fours and one six.

UAE fell just short of their record ODI team total of 7-285 posted in their opening four-wicket loss to Zimbabwe last week.

UAE are appearing at their first World Cup since 1996.

Paul Stirling (2-27) was the pick of the Irish bowlers.

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