Ireland warm-up game rained off

Ireland's preparations for ICC World Twenty20 qualifying were dealt a blow when Monday's warm-up game against the United Arab Emirates was rained off.

Play had been due to start at Stormont in Belfast at 14:15, but steady rain prompted the umpires to call it a day.

The Irish are due to be in action again on Tuesday when they take on Oman at 14:15 at the same venue.

Ireland play their first Group A qualifier on Friday when they host Namibia at Stormont.

They then take on the United States at the same venue on Sunday, followed by matches against Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong and Jersey.

Fourteen teams are involved in the two qualifying groups with six going through to join the 10 Test nations for the ICC World Twenty20 India 2016.