Ireland fall short against UAE in T20 World Cup qualifier

Ireland's World Cup qualifying campaign got off to a poor start with an 19-run loss to the UAE in the opening group stage match of the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier at the Al Almerat Stadium today.

The result, while not fatal to the side's chances of qualification, means Ireland need to win their next three games to be World Cup-bound later this year.

A late innings bowling slump from Ireland proved critical, with the UAE racking up 63 runs in their final five overs to set a target of 158.

Ireland's run chase started well with Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie reaching the half-century in 36 deliveries.

However, after their wickets were claimed, the Irish middle order struggled badly, the run-rate collapsing over the next four overs, posting disastrous numbers of 16-4 after the bright start.

Lorcan Tucker notched 25 with Shane Getkate chipping in with 17 runs but the run-rate had become unsustainable and Ireland wound up 19 runs short, registering a tally of 139-9.

UAE's wicket-keeper/batter Vriitya Aravind was the game's central figure, his innings of 97 not out from 67 balls powering his side to victory.

Captain Andrew Balbirnie observed afterwards: "We thought we couldn't have started the run chase better, the powerplay went well having lost momentum in the match through those last few overs with the ball. Unfortunately, we then lost three wickets – we really put ourselves under pressure from then on.

"I thought we bowled pretty well, until the last two or three overs when they got away from us a bit. We really now have to dust ourselves down and come back tomorrow. We now need to win three games of cricket in the next three matches to qualify."

Ireland continues their ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier campaign tomorrow against