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Simi Singh, Ireland (Image source: Twitter)
The Irish all-rounder Simi Singh had an excellent performance with both the bat and ball, to help Ireland grab a win by 112 runs. With this win, both Ireland and UAE are equalled at 1-1. Ireland was seen struggling at 99-5. However, Singh came in to bat and smashed 54 runs from 57 balls. The Leinster all-rounder also shared a sixth-wicket partnership of 91 runs with Curtis Campher. He scored 56 runs in 72 balls.
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The hosts managed to have a good start in the chase to reach Ireland's 228. The opening batsmen Zawar Farid and Vriitya Aravind added 46 for the first wicket. However, both the opening pair was dismissed by Simi Singh. Shortly after, Chundangapoyil Rizwan and Aravind also lost their wicket to Simi.
Simi Singh was born in India but had been living in Ireland since the age of 17. He arrived in Ireland as a student. The all-rounder picked up the first five wickets for the visitors. UAE was dismantled and finished with figures of 116-10 in 36 overs. This has also been the second-best performance by an Irish bowler in ODIs. Paul Stirling picked up six wickets for 55 runs against Afghanistan in 2017.
Singh got the Man of the Match award for his all-round show
The hosts won the first match without their vice-captain Chirag Suri and uncapped left-arm spinner Aryan Lakra. Both players tested positive for coronavirus. Both the boards eliminated the upcoming two matches despite a series of attempts to reschedule. A wave of COVID-19 positive tests hit the UAE squad.
UAE won the toss and elected to field first. The Irish side made a poor start to their innings as Kashif Daud dismissed Kevin O'Brien. The Irish batsman was playing in his 150th One Day International match. After that, Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie also fell in quick succession to Zahoor Khan. The opening pair of Kevin and Stirling managed scores of 2 and 4, respectively. The visitors were in great trouble as they were at 10-3.
It was Harry Tecto and Tucker who helped in rebuilding the process for the side. They scored 33 and 42 respectively. Simi Singh was named Man of the Series for his great all-round display. Ireland will stay back in the UAE to play a three-game ODI series against Afghanistan.