The first limited overs international match of the year 2021 was played between Ireland & United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Abu Dhabi. It is the first one of 4 Match ODI Series.
After winning the toss, Irishmen chose to bat. Paul Stirling & Kevin O’Brien started scoring freely. They weren’t bothered by UAE bowlers in first half of powerplay. Kevin was cleaned up by Kashif Daud on 23. Skipper Andy Balbirnie joined Stirling at the crease. Runs started to flow freely. They put up a brilliant hundred run partnership. Shortly, Balbirnie nicked one to Ahmed Raza on 53.
After that dismissal, Wickets kept falling at one end. But Stirling was playing on a different planet. He notched up his 10th ODI hundred, Second on the trot. They scored 55 runs in the last five overs, lifting the team total to 269/5. Stirling remained unbeaten on 131 off 148 balls. Rohan Mustafa picked up 2 Wickets. Others took a wicket apiece.
Young Sensation Vritya Aravind who was in spectacular touch in recently concluded D20 Championship, Failed to make an impact. He went to pavilion for 14. They were 3 down in 13th over. Barry McCarthy accounted both the openers wickets. Explosive Batsman CP Rizwan & Experienced Usman started to steady the ship. They completely took the game away by putting up a 184-run partnership for 4th wicket.
Rizwan compiled a sublime knock of 109 before getting out to Curtis Campher in the 46th over. Usman & Waheed Ahmad stayed till the end. Usman scored his maiden century on the penultimate over & Eventually hitting the winning runs. Usman ended up with 109*. Barry McCarthy & Curtis Campher snared two Wickets each. CP Rizwan was awarded Man of the Match for his match Winning performance with the Bat. The second ODI starts on January 10, Sunday.
