Balbirnie leads Ireland to comfortable win over Scotland
A quickfire half-century from Andrew Balbirnie led Ireland to a convincing six-wicket win over rivals Scotland with more than 15 overs to spare in Dubai.
Chasing 220 for victory Ireland lost captain William Porterfield second ball, but Balbirnie dominated a second-wicket stand of 104 from just 95 balls with Paul Stirling.
Stirling contributed just three of the first 50 added as the in-form Balbirnie tore the Scottish attack apart.
The Dubliner hit 10 fours and cleared the ropes once as he top-scored with 67 from 55 balls – his fifth ODI half century – to put the Irish firmly in control.
He was eventually stumped off the bowling of debutant Tom Sole – son of Scottish rugby legend David – and Stirling fell for 38 soon after.
But experienced middle-order duo Niall O'Brien and Ed Joyce took Ireland to the brink of victory with a fourth-wicket partnership of 63 in just 65 balls.
O'Brien hit five fours and two sixes in his 55 from 53 balls – his 16th ODI half century and 31st for Ireland in all formats.
Joyce finished unbeaten on 31, while Kevin O'Brien smashed consecutive boundaries to seal victory.
Scotland's innings of 219 was dominated by another debutant with opener Michael Jones top scoring with 87.
He shared partnerships of 51 and 62 with Calum MacLeod (33) and Craig Wallace (34) but the Irish bowlers kept things tight to prevent their opponents getting too far ahead, Boyd Rankin the pick of them with 3/49.
The teams meet again at the same venue on Thursday before Scotland face UAE on Sunday.
