Match Center

Okay! We didn't expect that, did we? United Arab Emirates have pulled off a stunning win over Ireland in the first of this 4-match ODI series. Will the feeling sink in before Sunday? Can they take this momentum into the second ODI? Or will Ireland come roaring back? Join us on 10th January, 2021, from 9.30 am local (0530 GMT). ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Victorious UAE skipper, AHMED RAZA, says that it was in UAE's mind that they have not beaten Ireland in this format and is simply thrilled with the result. Lauds Muhammad Usman and Chundangapoyil Rizwan for batting with responsibility, putting the bad balls away and taking minimum risks. On UAE's mentality with Ireland's score at 141/1, Ahmed says that they came back well in the middle overs but lost the plot towards the end, brutally assessing that they should have been chasing not more than 240! Hopes to do better on Sunday. Expects the senior bowlers to take the responsibility but gives plenty of praise for debutant Kashif Daud. Says that it is good to go 1-up and dedicates this win to his late father who passed away recently.

Irish captain, ANDY BALBIRNIE, bluntly says that Ireland were 20-30 runs short with the bat. Puts it down to rustiness and feels that they could have been more proactive with the bat. Credits UAE for planning the run chase well. Feels that UAE bowled well and the Irish batsmen found it difficult to get the ball away or score quickly. On Paul Stirling's knock, Andy calls him world class and also the best batsman of the side, striving hard for success. On UAE being 51/3, AB says that they felt they were bowling well but honestly admits that they could not maintain the pressure. Add that they will sit down and discuss how to improve with both bat and ball. Also says that they want to win games but also want to give some expousre to young players.

CHUNDANGAPOYIL RIZWAN HAS BEEN NAMED THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH. Rizwan is happy that his maiden hundred could lead UAE to a win. Thanks the management for supporting his side to allow them to prepare for this series and adds that all those preparations bore fruit. Stresses that the plan between himsefl and Muhammad Usman was to play 50 overs, with the belief that they can win. Admits that he was losing steam due to the heat but adds that Usman kept on encouraging him. Cheekily admits that during the lockdown, his wife used to give throwdowns to him and thanks his family for their immense support.

Muhammad Usman is up for a chat. Says that it is always good to be winning the first match, with batsmen scoring centuries. Praises his side for restricting Ireland under 300. On his batting partnership with Chundangapoyil Rizwan, Usman admits that the latter was a touch slow, so the plan was to attack at some point of time and take the pressure of Rizwan. Is confident of taking Ireland down in the coming games as well.

Ahh... well... Ireland. What did they do wrong? Ummm... perhaps did not read the stats page before coming for the toss. History has favoured the side chasing in day games at this venue, yet they chose to bat. Then, they lost their way through a collapse in the middle with the bat, falling perhaps 20-30 runs short. Paul Stirling was brilliant but he needed more from the top order. Then, in the field, on a good batting deck, their bowlers could not find much response. And their fielders did not support them. Catches dropped, run outs missed, they were very average. They will aim to do much better, come Sunday. Please stay tuned for the presentation...

The partnership for the 4th wicket was worth 184, which was nearly 70 percent of the required target! Both batsmen got to their centuries, survived a few close calls on the way but importantly, got the team through. Both players complemented each other nicely, taking on the mantle when the other was struggling. And towards the end, Waheed Ahmed came out and played a fine cameo, brushing aside all kinds of fears of a possible collapse. A day to remember and a win to savour.

Take a bow, Usman. Take a bow, Rizwan. Two experienced guys have shocked Ireland. UAE were chasing a high target, 270 and were in the doldrums, at 51/3. But in came Chundangapoyil Rizwan and Muhammad Usman. The duo bided its time and then increased the run rate as the game went deep.

UAE WIN BY 6 WICKETS! A full toss, on middle, Usman clips it between mid on and short mid-wicket. The ball races to the fence but before that, the single is completed. Well played, UAE!

FOUR! CENTURY FOR USMAN! The entire dugout of the UAE team stands in awe and respect for this veteran. What a fine knock. Full and around middle, Usman backs away to the leg side and hits it straight back over the bowler. Finds the fence down the ground! The helmet is off and there is a massive glee across his face.

A slower ball, short in length, Usman backs away, looks to cut but gets a bottom edge back into the pitch. Waheed comes halfway down for the single but is sent back.

Around middle, WA flicks it behind square leg for a single. Usman wants the second but Waheed declines, showing that he is not cruel-hearted.

Full and straight, Ahmed looks to turn it to the leg side but plays a touch too early. Gets a leading edge which goes along the ground to the bowler.

The ball seems to be lost somewhere beneath the covers. Frantically explored, are those covers. The umpires call for a spare ball instead.

FOUR! Nerves for Usman! Tell you why. He is on 97 while the team needs just 6 for a win! He has a long chat with Waheed now. Full and outside off, Usman leans and lofts it over cover for a boundary.

Full and outside off, driven towards extra cover for one.

And now, a quick single. MU pushes this towards backward point and Waheed calls him through for a quick run.

Moves to 96 now. On middle and leg, this is turned through mid-wicket. Usman is tired but Waheed calls him through for the second.