T20 World Cup: Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie awaiting results of X-ray on foot injury
- Published
Andrew Balbirnie's availability for the T20 World Cup will be determined by Xray results
ICC Men's T20 World Cup warm-up game, Dubai |
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Ireland 134-5 (20 overs): O'Brien 54, Stirling 40; Mustafa 3-23 |
United Arab Emirates (16.1 overs): Waseem 107*; Young 2-29 |
United Arab Emirates won by seven wickets |
Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie is awaiting X-ray results on a toe injury and is a doubt for the T20 World Cup.
Balbirnie retired hurt with what Ireland described as "a direct blow to the third, fourth and fifth toes" in his side's warm-up defeat by United Arab Emirates on Sunday.
Mark Rausa, head of physiotherapy and medical services for Cricket Ireland, said on Sunday night that the captain has undergone an X-ray "to rule out a fracture to the toes" and they are awaiting the radiologist's report.
"Andrew left the field of play during his innings today after being struck on the foot by the ball," he said.
"Initially, he could not bear weight and reported high levels of pain. The decision was made for him to retire hurt for immediate assessment and treatment.
"He has undergone an X-ray this evening in Abu Dhabi and we are currently awaiting the radiologist report to rule out a fracture to the toes, and will shortly confirm once we receive the report."
Mohammad Waseem's superb unbeaten 107 helped United Arab Emirates to a seven-wicket win over Ireland and a 2-1 series victory in Dubai.
Openers Kevin O'Brien (54) and Paul Stirling (40) put on 85 but the Irish lost momentum and finished on 134-5.
Waseem hit five sixes as he made 107 in 62 balls with UAE winning on 139-3.
Ireland had won the first game by seven wickets but UAE hit back with a 64-run victory on Friday.
The UAE elected to field first in Sunday's decider but O'Brien and Stirling provided a solid platform for the Irish to set a big total.
Kevin O'Brien hit two sixes as he made 54 from 45 balls in Dubai on Sunday
Balbirnie produced the next best score of 15 but he left the field unable to bear weight and he will have an Xray later on Sunday.
It leaves the key batter as a major concern for for the World Cup opener against Netherlands on 18 October.
Rohan Mustafa took 3-23 including the wickets of the O'Brien and Stirling as the Irish failed to build on a promising start.
Simi Singh removed UAE opener Chirag Suri with only seven on the board but Waseem ensured there would be no collapse as he put the Irish attack to the sword with 14 boundaries to go with his five maximums.
The right-hander was still at the crease to smash a six to bring up the victory as the UAE reached the target with 23 balls to spare.
Craig Young picked up two wickets (2-29) for an Ireland side which will now play two official warm-up games in Abu Dhabi next week, starting with Papua New Guinea on Tuesday and two days later against Bangladesh.
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