Zahoor’s heroics in vain as UAE lose to Ireland
dubai — Despite fast bowler Zahoor Khan’s heroics, the UAE went down to Ireland in the first of their two One Day Internationals at the ICC Cricket Academy in Dubai on Thursday.
Zahoor, who made his UAE debut in the Desert T20 Challenge this January, scythed through the Ireland batting line-up with careerbest figures of 6-34. But that didn’t stop the Irish from recording an 85-run victory.
Chasing a target of 271, the UAE were all out for 185 in 41.4 overs despite a lower order resistance by Ahmed Raza, who scored a defiant 45. Ireland captain William Porterfield led from the front with the southpaw going on to score his eighth ODI hundred in 94 matches.
UAE captain Rohan Mustafa’s decision to put the visitors in to bat, proved the right one as fast bowler Mohammad Naveed removed opener Paul Stirling and one-down batsman Andy Balbirnie cheaply.
Balbirnie followed soon, falling leg before to Naveed and Ireland were two down with 14 on the board. Captain and opener William Porterfield and Niall O’Brien came up with a fine rearguard by putting on 59 runs for the third wicket before Niall O’Brien was castled by Mustafa, after making 34. But the experienced veteran Porterfield and Niall’s brother Kevin ensured that was just a blip by forging together 124-run partnership for the fourth wicket to blunt the UAE attack.
The 32-year-old Porterfield brought up his 13th half-century, with a single off Zahoor Khan, in the 29th over.
Kevin then joined his captain in crossing 50, his 14 th in 104 matches, by taking two off leg spinner Imran Haider.
The duo went from strength to strength but Kevin fell as Ireland were inching towards the 200mark. The 32-year-old pulled a short ball from Naveed but he was gobbled up by Rameez Shahzad.
Kevin’s 69 came from 53 deliveries and was studded with seven boundaries and a six.
Porterfield then put on 56 runs for the fifth wicket with Gary Wilson and then reached his century with a single towards long-on, off Zahoor.