Ireland close on win as UAE cling on in Malahide

Ireland captain William Porterfield hailed his bowlers in their Intercontinental Cup opener against UAE at at Malahide.

Ireland’s bowlers took 11 wickets in the day as they dismissed UAE for 213 in their first innings, 279 runs behind Ireland’s total of 492. Ireland forced the follow-on, and pegged UAE to 251-9 at close of play, leaving them needing just one wicket this morning to complete an innings win.

George Dockrell took four wickets in his 34 overs of off spin, while the pace of Craig Young caused chaso.

“The wicket has been slow so the bowlers will deserve the win if it comes – 20 wickets don’t come easy in a four-day game,” Porterfield said. The winners of the tournament face a play-off against the 10th-ranked Test nation [currently Zimbabwe], and if John Bracewell’s side win both the I-Cup and subsequent play-off, Ireland will be playing Test cricket in 2019.

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