UAE end miserable week by downing Ireland at World T20 qualifier

Abu Dhabi : The United Arab Emirates finished a terrible week which saw three of their players charged with corruption with an impressive victory over Ireland in qualifying for the 2020 T20 World Cup.

The hosts of the tournament had opened their campaign with a loss to Oman on Friday in Abu Dhabi. But they bounced back on Saturday, despite being without the charged trio of captain Mohammed Naveed, batsman Shaiman Anwar and right-arm pace bowler Qadeer Ahmed, beating the Irish by five wickets.

"Beating a full member team is a great feeling and on the back of yesterday's game it's a big morale booster for us," said UAE skipper Ahmed Raza after his team beat the only Test side in qualifying.

Ireland opener Paul Stirling struck a 58-ball 72, but Gary Wilson's men were bowled out for just 125 as no other batsman passed 14 in their 20 overs. Off-spinning all-rounder Rohan Mustafa took 4-18 for the home team.

The UAE, who themselves had mustered only 108-9 against Oman, made a quick start thanks to Mustafa's 39 from 16 deliveries, including four fours in the first over.

They had a brief wobble but were seen over the line with three overs to spare by Waheed Ahmed's unbeaten 15.