THE UNITED ARAB Emirates (UAE) enjoyed their first-ever one-day international (ODI) victory over Ireland today.
Irish batsman Paul Stirling had hit an unbeaten century — 131 from 148 — to become only the second player to pass 9,000 runs for Ireland after William Porterfield.
Ireland totalled 269-5, but centuries from Chundangapoyil Rizwan and Muhammad Usman ensured UAE won by six wickets.
It is the first time UAE have claimed an ODI win over a full member.
The sides meet in three more ODIs over the coming days and Ireland will then play three times against Afghanistan.
Ireland 269-5 (50 overs; P Stirling 131*, A Balbirnie 53; R Mustafa 2-43)
UAE 273-4 (49 overs; C Rizwan 109, M Usman 105*; C Campher 2-31, B McCarthy 2-63)
@Stephen Harper: your second comment was also unnecessary mate, as was your first.
Sycophantic scribblings about pilgrimages to tick things off your personal bucket list is one thing.
Balanced journalism is another : i.e. why does the author not bring up Messi’s (€25 million per year) sports washing contract with the Saudi regime ?
and how that also conflicts with his own country’s bid to host 2030 World Cup – which Saudi are also bidding for.
People should be allowed express opinions – not be forced into dumbed down boring conformity.
Fine journalism from a man who cut his teeth writing about what poet came up in honours English in paper 2 of the leaving cert in 2011.