Match Center

Right then! That's all from this game! The series is shared and it was an exciting two matches that we got to witness. We could have had more but Covid-19 put a stop to all those plans. Next up is a 3-match ODI series between Ireland and Afghanistan. That will begin on Thursday, 21st January, 2021 at 0930 local (0530 GMT). Do join us for that. Until then, cheers and take care.

Andy Balbirnie, the Ireland skipper, says that he is very happy with the performance and to see the maturity of the middle order was very pleasing to see. Goes onto say that they need to adapt on any wicket but the top three failed to do that. Adds that the pitch was slow and tacky. Tells that Lorcan and Harry dug in and played well. Goes onto say that Curtis has been exceptional since he joined the team in England in 2020 and hopes he can continue. Adds that they got a bit more than they expected after the start they got. Tells that they bowled in good areas and they got wickets. States that they did not bowl well at the start and they dropped a couple of chances. States that they continued to attack and it reaped the rewards. Tells that this has been a great series for them and it is unfortunate not to have all the 4 matches.

Ahmed Raza, the UAE skipper, says that this loss is a hard one to swallow and they are going to take this on the chin and work on the things that they need to. Adds that there was one partnership between Simi Singh and Curtis Campher which changed the game. Goes onto say that they lost a bit of momentum in the last 5 overs while bowling and they need to work on their execution. States that they lacked intent but takes nothing away from Simi Singh as he bowled really well. States that someone needed to show an attacking attitude and they will chat about intent in the dressing room. Says that beating a Test-playing nation in the first game was a huge positive but this is a loss which will be hard to take. Says that a lot of things went right for them and they will look to prepare for their next series.

Curtis Campher is named the Man of the Series. He says that he is happy with his performance. Adds that it was tough to bat on this wicket and score runs. Mentions he looked to rotate the strike and planned his innings. Campher also says that he wanted to stay till the end of the innings. Further says that his partnership with Simi Singh was crucial for Ireland. Campher also says this win is crucial for them heading into the Afghanistan series.

Simi Singh is named the Man of the Match. He says that he is delighted with his performance. Adds that they were determined to win this match and level the series. Mentions that he kept his patience and bowled good line and lengths. Singh also says that he was happy with his batting and further says that his partnership with Campher was crucial. Singh also says that he tried to keep his lines tight. Mentions this result is important for them and it gives them a lot of confidence. Singh further says that cricket is a funny game and anything can happen on that day.

Stay tuned for the presentation ceremony!

Earlier in the game, UAE bowled well to restrict Ireland to 228. All the bowlers bowled really well and they would have backed themselves to chase it down. But, they were slightly disappointed with the bowling at the death as they gave a few too many runs to the Irish. Curtis Campher was the star with the bat as he scored 56 while Simi Singh was exceptional with a 50 of his own. Ireland needed to bowl really well in order to defend this score and boy they did. In the end, they won by 112 runs and that is a massive win.

UAE started off really well, they raced to 46 without a loss of a wicket but they would have had no idea what would come next. They went from 46 for 0 to 64 for 6, courtesy Simi Singh. Only the opening batters showed the application to stay out there but they would be disappointed that they threw away their wickets. And since the first wicket fell, they lost their wickets in a heap and were bowled out for 116. They were completely outplayed by the visitors and after a win in the first game, they have been dominated in this game.

When the chase started, it looked like it will be an interesting run chase but Ireland came out all guns blazing. They did not have the greatest of starts as UAE raced to 46 for 0 in 9.3 overs. But once they brought in Simi Singh to bowl, it all changed. He picked up the first 5 wickets to fall and threw the UAE innings into complete disarray. The hosts' even tried to play him out but that did not work out. The rest of the bowlers supported him well and they were helped by some poor shots by the hosts as well. Overall, it was a wonderful performance with the ball, especially by Simi Singh.

Take a bow, Ireland! What a performance by Ireland or should we say, Simi Singh? He can be said as the difference between the two sides. What a day he has had. He first scored a fifty with the bat and helped Ireland post a respectable score on this wicket but he was not done as he finished with figures of 10-4-10-5. Simply superb.

OUT! RUN OUT! The third umpire deems that the bat is short and that is the game and the series! Flatter ball on middle, Meiyappan works it to square leg and takes off for a single but Zahoor Khan sends him back. The throw comes to the keeper but he seems to have whipped the bails off with his gloves and by the time, he removes the stumps with the ball in hand, it seems that Meiyappan has made his way in. The third umpire checks various replays and well, well, well, he has deemed that the batsman is short. IRELAND WIN BY 112 RUNS.

Floated ball on middle, Khan lofts it over mid on for a single.

Loopy delivery on leg, Khan looks to flick but gets hit on the pads.

Flighted ball on middle, Zahoor pushes it to mid-wicket.

On off, Khan pushes it to mid off.

DROPPED! Ahh dear... this should have been the end of the game. Tossed up delivery on middle, Meiyappan comes down the track and lofts it over mid on. He does not get enough of it. Long on charges across to his left, dives but cannot hang on. A single taken.

On middle, Khan defends it off the back foot.