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.