A superb 80 from Gary Wilson led Ireland to a tense two-wicket win over United Arab Emirates at the Gabba despite a maiden international century for Shaiman Anwar.
Wilson helped rescue Ireland from a precarious 97 for four, but was out with just 12 runs needed to ensure a nervy finish. However, George Dockrell ensured it was Ireland who claimed a vital win in Pool B as they chased down UAE’s 278 for nine.
Kevin O’Brien played an important hand in the chase, smashing a brutal 24-ball half-century as he shared 72 for the sixth wicket with Wilson before holing out.
Man of the match Wilson said: "I was confident. I told myself it was my day and luckily enough it worked out.
"I've batted a lot with Kev over the years at county and international level and we dovetailed quite well together; it was great to have a partner like that."
After being put in to bat, UAE had stuttered early on, with Andri Berenger and Amjad Ali struggling for fluency in the opening powerplay.
Paul Stirling was the unlikely man to make the breakthrough, removing Berenger before adding the wicket of Krishna Chandran shortly after.
Khurram Khan and Ali attempted to steady the ship, but scoring proved to be difficult and the run-rate dropped dramatically.
Ali and Swapnil Patil fell in quick succession, and by the time Khurram went for 36, UAE were struggling at 131 for six in the 35th over.
However, Anwar joined with Amjad Javed at the crease to pile on 107 in just shy of 12 overs to boost the score to 278 for nine at the end of the innings, with Anwar reaching UAE’s first World Cup century from 79 balls.
The dangerous Stirling fell in the second over of the Ireland reply, but Ed Joyce and captain Will Porterfield added 68 to put the innings back on track.
Joyce was handed a huge reprieve as Javed appeared to have bowled him on 16, with a bail lifting after the stumps were hit but settling back in its groove.
The most remarkable thing you will ever see on a cricket pitch! WATCH now http://t.co/soVfwi13Re #cwc15 #IREvUAE pic.twitter.com/HbfpmrMDXf
— ICC (@ICC) February 25, 2015
He had no such luck second time around, edging Javed through to Patil for 37, before his skipper soon followed him back to the changing rooms for the same score.
Niall O’Brien was trapped in front after making 17, forcing Andrew Balbirnie and Wilson to rescue the situation.
After Balbirnie went for a composed 30, it was left to Wilson and Kevin O’Brien to take Ireland close, but both fell as they tried to finish the game in style.
Dockrell eventually hit the winning runs with just four balls and two wickets remaining to deny UAE their maiden World Cup win.
There was a sting in the tail for Kevin O'Brien, who was fined 30 per cent of his match fee after admitting a Level 1 offence under the International Cricket Council's code of conduct - "showing dissent at an umpire's decision during an international match". O'Brien bowled a wide in the 48th over of the UAE innings, and then continued to question the umpire's decision.
Bit close for comfort but job done, on to Canberra we go #sheds #2/2 #thommoshashtaghttps://t.co/u2dQUDW95J
— George Dockrell (@georgedockrell) February 25, 2015