Ireland beat UAE in opening T20 World Cup qualifier

Ireland got their ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier campaign off to the perfect start with a six-wicket win over the UAE on Thursday.

Set 106 for victory, Ireland comfortably reached the target with 23 balls to spare, with Eimear Richardson impressing with both bat and ball. The all-rounder backed up excellent figures of 2-15 with an unbeaten 22, striking on both fronts at crucial junctures of the match.

Earlier in the day, and despite captain Esha Oza falling to Alana Dalzell in the second over, UAE made a lively start with the bat as Theertha Satish (22) and Khushi Sharma (24) shared a 46-run stand for the second wicket.

Ireland responded superbly, though, taking six wickets for just 13 runs as UAE slumped from 64-1 to 77-7. It was here that Richardson (2-15) and fellow spinner Cara Murray (1-8) were instrumental in reining in the hosts.

So too was an impressive fielding display across the board, which saw Instonians and Malahide CC Dragons wicket-keeper-batter Amy Hunter make two stumpings and complete a Leah Paul run-out.

Arlene Kelly and Murray also combined to find Rinitha Rajith short of her ground, while Ava Canning took a smart low catch to remove Vaishnave Mahesh. Kelly (2-12) returned to take the eighth and ninth wickets in the penultimate over, reducing the UAE to 105-9 from their 20 overs.

Up and running with a win as Orla (22*) and Eimear (22*) see us home!