High-Scoring Sharjah Draw For Ireland And UAE

High-Scoring Sharjah Draw For Ireland And UAE

Ireland captain William Porterfield scored 82 and then 101 not out as his side picked up nine points frm their draw against United Arab Emirates in Sharjah

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Ireland 589-7 dec. & 188-3 drew with
United Arab Emirates 360-9 dec.
ICC Intercontinental Cup, Sharjah

The ICC Intercontinental Cup match between Ireland and United Arab Emirates in Sharjah ended in a high-scoring draw as four players scored centuries.

Ed Joyce, Niall O'Brien and Khurram Khan in the first innings and then William Porterfield in the second innings reached three figures in a game in which 1,137 runs were scored and just 19 wickets taken.

Ireland declared their first innings on 589 for seven before UAE replied with 360 for nine. With a lead of 229, Ireland decided to bat again on the final day, closing on 188 for three.

The draw keeps them at the top of the standings and their nine points for leading on first innings puts them 12 points clear of Afghanistan. The three points for UAE does little for their overall position as they are in fifth place, some 43 points adrift.

Joyce made 155 and O'Brien 126 after Ireland lost the toss while Porterfield (82), Paul Stirling (61) and Gary Wilson (84) also scored half-centuries as it quickly became clear that the pitch was one for batsmen to cash in on.

Khurram had been one of UAE's most impressive bowlers, taking two for 48 in 13 overs and he then achieved the rare feat of an international century having pased his 40th birthday, making 115 in 232 balls. Arshad Ali fell just short on 95 while Swapnil Patil was unbeaten on 89.

However, as Saqib Shah was the only other player to reach double figures, with 29 not out, UAE came nowhere near threatening Ireland's score as Trent Johnston returned four for 62 and John Mooney two for 41.

Batting again on the final day, Porterfield led the way with 101 not out in 165 balls and after Stirling had been dismissed for 16 in 10 balls, Andrew White offered Porterfield support with 52.

He and Mooney (15) were then dissmissed but once Porterfield had reached his century, the game was called off as a draw.

Points standings:

Ireland 76 points, Afghanistan 64 points, Scotland 46 points, Namibia 43 points, United Arab Emirates 33 points, Netherlands 30 points, Canada 22 points, Kenya 10 points

Ireland, Afghanistan, Scotland and UAE have played five matches, the remainder have played four.

© Cricket World 2013