Image courtesy of: ICC
Joyce hit four boundaries and a six during his knock of 43
Ireland cruised past a hapless United Arab Emirates side by 21 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method after their match was cut off by heavy rain in Sylhet.
Batsman Ed Joyce was the standout performer for Ireland as he smashed 43 runs.
Ireland captain William Porterfield would have been jumping for joy with his decision to bowl first as United Arab Emirates opener Faizan Asif was run out by Tim Murtagh for 11.
Amjad Ali managed to make 20 before he was caught by George Dockrell at short third man off the bowling of Paul Stirling.
Stirling struck again three balls later when wicketkeeper Swapnil Patil was caught by Porterfield at short midwicket for a duck.
Shaiman Anwar made a quickfire 30 before he was caught and bowled by Kevin O’Brien.
United Arab Emirates captain Khurram Khan only made 16 runs before he was caught by Ed Joyce off the bowling of Murtagh.
Amjad Javed scored 19 runs before he was caught by Joyce at long-on off the bowling of O’Brien.
The United Arab Emirates eventually finished on 123/6 at the end of their 20 overs.
Stirling and O’Brien picked up two wickets apiece, while Murtagh snapped up one.
Chasing 124 to win, Ireland got off to a decent start before Stirling decided to retire hurt on eight due to some pain in his elbow.
Porterfield and Joyce kept the runs flowing with a brilliant 80-run partnership before Joyce was caught by Khan at midwicket off the bowling of debutant Sharif Asadullah.
Joyce’s solid knock of 43 came off 38 balls and included four boundaries and a six.
Asadullah struck again just two balls later when O’Brien was caught by Vikrant Shetty at deep square leg for a duck.
Andrew Poynter only made four runs before he was clean bowled by Javed.
Following Poynter’s dismissal, the heavens parted and the players were ushered off the field.
Since the rain refused to relent in time, Ireland were declared winners via the Duckworth-Lewis method.
Asadullah was the most successful bowler with two wickets, while Javed snapped up one.
Khan was disappointed with his side’s batting performance, and said: “I thought it was a below par score, about 25-30 runs short. There’s a lot to learn from here, looking forward to the last game. [We] Want to give Zimbabwe a run for their money.”
Porterfield was pleased to have won the match, and said: “[It’s] Very pleasing to limit them to 120 on that pitch. Paul is fine. We know if we beat Netherlands we are through. Doesn’t bother me that I didn’t get the Man of the Match.”
Joyce was named Man of the Match, and said: “Good wicket to bat on. Got another big game in two days. Paul is a massive player for us and it’s important we get him back. Our bowlers are doing a good job.”