Cricket World Cup: Close call for victorious Ireland

Ireland's not out batsmen John Mooney, left, and Niall O'Brien, right, embrace as they walk off after defeating West Indies during their Cricket World Cup pool B match at Nelson, New Zealand, Monday, Feb. 16, 2015. Ireland wins the match with 4 wickets and 25 balls to spare. (AP Photo/Ross Setford)

Chasing 279 for victory, Ireland seemed to have the game in the bad, only for a flurry of late wickets to let their opponents back into the game.

In the end spinner George Dockrell hit the winning runs in the final over of the game, which was by far the most tense of the World Cup so far.

Helped by a World Cup record seventh wicket partnership, UAE posted a total of 278, At one stage they had been reduced to 131 for six, but the innings got away by that record stand of 107.

At one stage Ireland were chasing more than ten an over after the UAE bowlers made early inroads into the Irish top order, but a paid-fore 50 from Kevin O’Brien with 50 off 25 balls turned the match in Ireland’s favour.

His dismissal set up an enthralling finale and the closest finish of the World Cup so far, but Ireland now head to face South Africa next week still unbeaten.