Sport | Cricket
Skipper Ali's fighting knock goes in vain as Ireland take huge lead
UAE skipper Arshad Ali's fighting knock went in vain as Ireland took a huge lead on the second day of their International Cricket Council (ICC) Intercontinental Cup tie at the Shaikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.
- Staff Report
- Published: 00:00 February 11, 2007
Abu Dhabi: UAE skipper Arshad Ali's fighting knock went in vain as Ireland took a huge lead on the second day of their International Cricket Council (ICC) Intercontinental Cup tie at the Shaikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.
Ireland declared their first innings at 531 for five, with Eoin Morgan remaining unconquered on 209 runs. His knock contained 24 hits to the boundary and one six and came off 238 balls.
Andre Botha hit 157 off 216 balls with 16 boundaries, while he and Morgan put on 360 runs for the third wicket.
Khuram Khan struck twice to dismiss Kevin O'Brien for 7 and Trent Johnson for 11 before Ireland declared their innings.
UAE got off to a fighting start start, with Arshad and Silva putting on 75 runs before Silva fell for 24.
One-down Gayan Silva tried to settle down. He lasted 43 balls but could score only 13 runs.
Next man Saqib Ali scored 26 runs before being clean bowled by Andrew White.
With the score on 168, Arshad Ali, who was going great guns, was run out for 75. His knock off 140 balls contained 12 boundaries.
Former skipper Khuram Khan too fell for 28, clean bowled by Botha and all hopes of a UAE fightback ended. Trent Johnson and Botha struck repeatedly to hasten the end of UAE innings.
Naeemuddin remained unbeaten with 27 while Ahmad Nadeem got run out for 10 and Qasim Zubair and Wasim Bari fell for a duck each.
Botha returned with figures of 2 for 14 while Johnson took 2 for 48.
Speaking about his innings, Arshad Ali said: "Ireland bowlers bowled very well. It was not easy to bat as the wicket has developed cracks. I would have been happy if we could have managed a good reply."
Ireland are aiming for an outright victory over UAE to qualify for the final of this tournament.
Scotland top the group table with 35 points while Ireland has 23 points from two matches. An outright win will help Ireland top the table and qualify to take on Canada in the final.
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