Brisbane- Shaiman Anwar registered United Arab Emirates' first World Cup century to help his team overcome a poor start and post a strong 278 for nine wickets against Ireland in a Pool B match at the Gabba in Brisbane today.
The 35-year-old right-hander scored 106 runs off 83 balls and dominated a breezy 107-run stand with Amjad Javed (42), a World Cup record for the seventh wicket, to lift UAE who were reeling on 78-4 in the 21st over.
Anwar became the second UAE batsman to score a ODI hundred for the Emirati nation, who are making their second appearance at the event after also qualifying in 1996.
Anwar, who hit 10 fours and a six, raised his bat and went down on his knees after getting past the 100-mark in 79 deliveries.
Ireland were guilty of bowling too short to Anwar, who had scored his previous highest of 67 in the last match against Zimbabwe, and Javed as UAE plundered 147 runs in the last 15 overs.
The duo came together with Ireland looking to bundle their opponents out having reduced them to 131 for six in the 35th over.
Anwar eventually fell in the 49th over, skying Max Sorensen for wicketkeeper Gary Wilson to complete a comfortable catch.
Off-spinner Paul Stirling (2-27) struck in his second over to dismiss Andri Berenger (13) and then picked up Krishna Chandran for a duck in his third to deny UAE a strong start after they were put in to bat first.
All-rounder Kevin O'Brien came into the attack for Ireland, who defeated West Indies in their opening match, and dismissed set opener Amjad Ali (45) and Swapnil Patil (two) in his first two overs to further stifle the UAE innings.
O'Brien, however, proved expensive in the final overs, eventually conceding 61 off seven overs.
Alex Cusack and Max also picked up two wickets each.