That's it from our coverage of the two-match T20I series between UAE and Ireland from the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. A successful tour for Ireland before they head to Sri Lanka for their group fixtures in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Ninaad Dixit here signing off on behalf of scorer Ashok Dayma. Stay tuned for more action from around the world.
Curtis Campher (Player of the Match): "We bat really deep so it was about trusting my game and partners. It came off well today. The ball was holding into the wicket. We managed to optimise the scoring and then put the bad balls away."
Player of the Match: Curtis Campher
Paul Stirling (Ireland Captain): "Little bit of action replay from the previous game. We could have folded for 120 but still would be in the game but an incredible partnership under pressure for the 9th wicket for us.
You are always looking to improve. We need to adjust our game to Sri Lankan conditions. But a good tour here for us winning 4 out of 5 games is never too bad."
Muhammad Waseem (UAE Captain): "Tough series for us. We need to work on our death bowling. We were in good position after 14-15 overs but didn't bowl well in the last couple of overs.
[on the middle over] We need to work on couple of things like death bowling and batting in the middle overs. We have 8-10 days for the T20 World Cup, hopefully we can get it right."
3:08 PM IST, 1:38 PM Local Time: Ireland wrap a brilliant 30-run victory to seal the 2-match T20I series 2-0 against UAE at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. An excellent bowling performance in both the games help the Irish side defend on both occasions.
UAE won the toss and elected to bowl first, Irish skipper Paul Stirling mentioned he would have batted first had he won the toss. Curtis Campher scored an unbeaten 54 in 41 balls adding 69 runs for the 8th wicket with Mark Adair (34* off 21) to help post 170/7 in 20 overs.
Muhammad Arfan (2/23) and Haider Ali (2/30) starred with the ball picking up wickets throughout the innings and not letting the Irish batters settle.
UAE never looked into the chase and kept losing wickets in regular intervals. Opener Aryansh Sharma played a good hand top scoring with a 40-ball 54 hitting 6 fours and a maximum. Arfan continued his allround form hitting his best T20I score of 26* in 18 balls with 2 fours and a six.
Muhammad Zohaib Khan (14) and skipper Muhammad Waseem (12) were the only other batters to enter double digits. George Dockrell was the pick of the bowlers claiming 2/12 in 3 overs, Gareth Delany used the conditions well to finish his 4 overs with 2/24. Barry McCarthy picked up a couple of wickets as well.
Stay tuned as we return with the post match and series presentation.
OVER 20
United Arab Emirates
140/8
Junaid Siddique
5(5)
Muhammad Arfan
26(18)
Barry McCarthy
2-33(4.0)
19.6 B McCarthy to M Arfan
1 Short of a length and middle stump line. Makes room and chops it in the turf, sneaks a quick single in the leg side.