Ireland too good for UAE

Eurosport - Mon, 13 Apr 20:51:00 2009

Ireland got their bid to reach the 2011 World Cup back on track with a convincing eight-wicket win over the United Arab Emirates in Benoni.

CRICKET 2007 World Cup Ireland celebrate v Bangladesh - 0

Having suffered a surprise 22-run defeat to Afghanistan in their first Super Eight match on Saturday, victory over the UAE was a must for Phil Simmons' team.

United Arab Emirates won the toss and opted to bat, but - despite 63 not out from man of the match Fayyaz Ahmed - they were dismissed for just 133.

Regan West was the pick of the bowlers with three for 39, while Peter Connell, Boyd Rankin and Trent Johnston grabbed two wickets apiece as UAE were skittled with more than 10 overs to spare.

Ireland reached their victory target in the 28th over and for the loss of just two wickets - William Porterfield trapped lbw by Saqib Ali for 37 and Gary Wilson bowled by Aman Ali for 49 - with an unbeaten 30 from 27 deliveries by Eoin Morgan seeing them safely home.

Sporting Life / Eurosport

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account