All-round Ireland seals spot in semi-final

Ireland qualified for the semi-finals of the Desert T20 Challenge with a comfortable 24-run win against United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong beat the Netherlands by 91 runs on Wednesday (January 17), in matches played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Ireland v UAE

An efficient all-round display saw a much improved Ireland post 160 for 6 and then restrict UAE to 136 for 7.

The Irish, who had failed to clear the ropes in their two previous games in the tournament, managed eight sixes. Kevin O'Brien, the top-scorer, hit three of those on his way to a quick-fire 40 from just 27 balls, while Paul Stirling (39) and Gary Wilson (26) hit two each.

Stirling dominated the early overs scoring 39 of the first 52 runs after both Stuart Poynter and William Porterfield fell cheaply.

The crucial stand for Ireland came from O'Brien and Wilson, who shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 53 in just 33 balls to shift the momentum decisively in Ireland's favour.

Greg Thompson (17) and Andy McBrine (14 not out) both chipped in as Ireland made its highest T20 total since June 2015.

Boyd Rankin (3 for 16) blew away any hopes the UAE entertained of chasing the total as he took three wickets in a fiery opening spell.

Further wickets for Craig Young and Kevin O'Brien reduced the home side to 21 for 5. Jacob Mulder, the legspinner, then got in on the action taking 2 for 20, as UAE struggled to 77 for 7.

A late surge from Amjad Javed, the captain, who clubbed five sixes in an entertaining unbeaten 47, made the match seem closer than it was. Javed added 59 runs in just 26 balls in an unbroken eighth-wicket stand with Mohammed Naveed (25 not out), but it was all too little, too late for his team.

Ireland won't know its semi-final opponent until Thursday, with The Netherlands, Scotland and Oman vying for the two semi-final slots from Goup B.

Brief scores: Ireland 160 for 6 in 20 overs (Kevin O'Brien 40, Paul Stirling 39, Amjad Javed 2 for 16, Zahoor Ahmed 2 for 27) beat UAE 136 for 7 in 20 overs (Amjad Javed 47*, Mohammed Naveed 25*, Boyd Rankin 3 for 16, Jacob Mulder 2 for 20) by24 runs.

Hong Kong v the Netherlands

Later in the evening at the same venue, Hong Kong registered its first victory of the tournament by beating the Netherlands by 91 runs in their Group B encounter.

Choosing to bat first, Hong Kong rode on Nizakat Khan's 33-ball 59 to post 183 for 4 in their 20 overs. In response, Peter Borren's men were rattled by early dismissals, and eventually folded for 92.

Nizakat and Aizaz Khan got Hong Kong off to a flyer, before Aizaz departed in the fifth over with the scoreboard reading 53 for 1.

Nizakat was then joined by Babar Hayat, the captain, and the duo continued to attack. A mix-up led to Nizakat being run out in the ninth over, and Hayat followed soon after to give the Netherlands a breather.

But a solid 44 from Anshuman Rath and an unbeaten 33 from Waqas Khan helped Hong Kong consolidate its innings.

Rath returned to haunt the Netherlands during the chase, grabbing 3 for 6 to cripple the side.

The Netherlands' struggle began early, with Michael Rippon, trapped lbw by Nadeem Ahmed, and Peter Borren, run out by Nizakat, returning to the hut for ducks.

Though Ben Cooper (22) and Wesley Barresi (12) tried to steady the chase, Ehsan Nawaz removed both off successive overs to once again put the Netherlands on the mat.

Seeing the opportunity, Hong Kong switched to an attacking mode and soon, Aizaz (1 for 16), Nadeem Khan (2 for 26 ) and Rath wrapped up the middle and lower order without much trouble. The Netherlands innings folded in 15.3 overs, as it went down for the second time in three matches in the competition.

Brief scores: Hong Kong 183 for 4 in 20 overs (Nizakat Khan 59, Anshuman Rath 44) beat the Netherlands 92 in 15. 3 overs (Ben Cooper 22; A Rath 3 for 6, Ehsan Khan 2 for 17) by 91 runs.