ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Qualifier: Ireland beat UAE, Sri Lanka beat Scotland

A brilliant century from opener Paul Stirling followed by exceptional contributions from the bowlers helped Ireland end their disappointing ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 campaign with a 138-run consolation win over the United Arab Emirates in Bulawayo on Tuesday. With the win, Ireland finished their group-stage campaign in fourth place in Group B with one win and three losses. He has only two points in total. UAE are at the bottom after losing all their four matches.

race to the final two #cwc23 The spot is heating up _

What do the Super Six positions look like at the end of the qualifiers group stage? pic.twitter.com/B2xTVFb72V– ICC (@ICC) 27 June 2023

Chasing a target of 350 runs, the UAE team started well with a 58-run partnership for the first wicket between Mohammad Wasim (45 runs in 32 balls with the help of six fours and two sixes) and Aryansh Sharma (18). After Wasim’s dismissal, UAE lost some wickets quickly. They were reduced to 109/6 in 20.3 overs. This was followed by a 70-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Basil Hameed (39 off 52 balls with three sixes) and Sanchit Sharma (44 off 54 balls with one four and three sixes). Due to the high required rate, this did not keep them in the game, but at least put UAE in a position to exit the tournament with a respectable score. But his dismissal reduced UAE’s strength and they were bundled out for 211 runs in 39 overs.

Andy McBrine (2/34), George Dockrell (2/32), Josh Little (2/30) and Curtis Camper (2/14) were impressive with the ball for Ireland. Earlier, Ireland posted a mammoth 349/4 in the allotted 50 overs after being put into bat by the UAE. Paul Stirling’s powerful century, 162 off 134 balls studded with 15 fours and eight sixes, largely powered the Irish innings. He shared an 183-run partnership for the third wicket with captain Andy Balbirnie (66 off 88 balls with five fours and a six). Irish top-order batsman Harry Tector continued his fine form with a 33-ball 57. His innings had four fours and two sixes.

Wicketkeeper-batsmen Lorcan Tucker and George Dockrell made small, but impressive cameos towards the end to take Ireland to a big total. Sanchit Sharma (3/46) was the best bowler for UAE. Sterling was awarded the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his century. Earlier, half-centuries from Pathum Nissanka and Charith Aslanka and an all-round effort from Mahesh Thikshana helped Sri Lanka beat Scotland by 82 runs in their ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Qualifier match to end their group stage on a high.

With this win, Lanka topped Group B with four wins from four matches and a total of eight points. Scotland, on the other hand, are second with three wins and one loss from four matches, with six points overall. Chasing 246 set by the one-time champions, Scotland lost their wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to 99/7 in 20.5 overs.

Christopher McBride (29) and captain Richie Berrington (10) were the only players from the top/middle-order to touch double digits. Sri Lankan spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Thikshana did most of the damage, with some help from captain Dasun Shanaka, Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara.

A 55-run partnership between Chris Greaves (56 off 41 balls with seven fours and two sixes) and Chris Sole (17) kept Scotland’s hopes alive temporarily, but the experience of the former champions was too much. Scotland’s team got piled on 163 runs in just 29 overs. Thikshana (3/41) and Hasaranga (2/42) were the best bowlers for Sri Lanka. Earlier, the Sri Lankan team, which came out to bat first, could only score 245 runs in 49.3 overs.

Pathum Nissanka (75 from 85 balls with 10 fours) and Charith Aslanka (63 from 65 balls with four fours and two sixes) scored valuable half-centuries. Nissanka shared a 55-run third-wicket partnership with Sadeera Samarawickrama (26) and then Aslanka shared a 61-run fifth-wicket partnership with Dhananjaya de Silva (23), taking the Lankans past 200. Hasaranga (15) and Thikshana (16*) contributed some valuable runs in the lower order. Chris Greaves (4/32) and Mark Watt (3/52) were among the leading wicket-takers for Scotland. Thikshana was awarded the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his performance.