UAE cricket comprehensively outplayed by Ireland in Intercontinental Cup opener


Paul Radley
  • English
  • Arabic

The long journey towards full Test status began precariously for the UAE as they were comprehensively outplayed by Ireland on the opening day of the Intercontinental Cup.

Ed Joyce, who was also a tormentor of the UAE earlier this year in the World Cup, struck a rapid double-century as the home team demolished the national team’s bowling attack.

The left-hander was 229 not out as Ireland ended Day 1 in Malahide on 420 for three.

The tournament carries the incentive of a shot at Test cricket. The winners will play a home and away Test series against the lowest ranked full member nation in 2018. The winners of that could have the chance to play Tests for the ensuing four years.

Ireland have won the Intercontinental Cup four times, and as such are by far the competition’s most successful side.

They were always likely to provide formidable opponents this week, particularly in home conditions, even if Aaqib Javed was optimistic of the UAE’s chances heading there.

“We have a team who is capable of adjusting to it,” Aaqib said before the side left Dubai.

However, the national team suffered a miserable start to the four-day match. Only Mohammed Naveed, the leader of the UAE attack, enjoyed any qualified success, as he clipped the Irish scoring rate in taking one for 58 in 15 overs.

pradley@thenational.ae

Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE

Key products and UAE prices

iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229

iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649

iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179

Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.

UAE SQUAD

Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Rameez Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zawar Farid, Ghulam Shabber, Ahmed Raza, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Chirag Suri , Zahoor Khan

The Year Earth Changed

Directed by:Tom Beard

Narrated by: Sir David Attenborough

Stars: 4

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?

1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull

2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight

3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed

The Settlers

Director: Louis Theroux

Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz

Rating: 5/5