Women’s T20 World Cup qualifier
United Arab Emirates 105-9 (20 overs): Sharma 24; Kelly 2-12, Richardson 2-15
Ireland 106-4 (16.1 overs): Lewis 27, Hunter 25, Richardson 22*, Prendergast 22*; Oza 3-13
Ireland won by six wickets
Ireland recovered from a batting wobble to secure an opening six-wicket win over United Arab Emirates at the Twenty20 World Cup qualifier in Abu Dhabi.
Chasing the hosts’ modest 105-9, Amy Hunter and Gaby Lewis put on 51 for the opening wicket in 5.5 overs before the Irish slipped to 68-4.
But a 36-run partnership from Eimear Richardson and Orla Prendergast sealed Ireland’s victory as they reached their target in 16.1 overs.
Richardson and Arlene Kelly both took two United Arab Emirates wickets with Lewis top-scoring with the bat by registering 27.
Kelly and Lewis also contributed run outs which helped restrict the United Arab Emirates total after the hosts had made an encouraging start.
Khushi Sharma’s knock of 24 contributed to the United Arab Emirates reaching 64-1 after 9.3 overs but their momentum was halted when she was stumped by wicketkeeper Amy Hunter off a Cara Murray delivery – with the hosts’ biggest subsequent partnership a paltry 19.
Ireland captain Laura Delany, who was one of home skipper Esha Oza’s three victims as she was bowled for a duck, said her side could “take a lot of learnings” from Thursday’s game.
“I felt like we dragged it back really well [after the UAE’s good start with the bat],” said the Ireland skipper.
“We created wicket-taking opportunities and we took them.”
