DUBAI // Kevin O'Brien, Ireland's headline act at last year's 50-over World Cup, took his country to the brink of a fifth global event in as many years with victory over the Netherlands yesterday.
The Irish might be beginning to believe it is their right to play on the top stage, but they still have to navigate a tricky fixture against Namibia this morning to secure their place at the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka in September.
Namibia surprisingly beat Ireland in the opening game of this competition, but the Irish have won eight since, culminating in their seven-wicket success over the Netherlands.
Perhaps crucially, Ireland's six-hitters are coming to the boil just as the tournament reaches its business end.
O'Brien saw his side over the line yesterday when he hit three maximums in a 22-ball stay worth 30.
Put in context, batting on the same low wicket and hitting to the same long boundaries, Afghanistan, a side renowned for pyrotechnics, managed no sixes among them the previous day.
"I don't know where it comes from," O'Brien said of his six-hitting ability, which was never better exhibited than when he scored the fastest World Cup ton against England last year.
"We are playing on good wickets against faster bowlers, and when the ball is coming down at 85mph you know you don't have to smash the ball, you can time it.
"The bats are huge and the ball flies off. It has shown in the past four games we have been clearing the ropes quite easily, so hopefully that continues" against Namibia.
Before he went to the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean, O'Brien was giving serious consideration to giving up his pursuit of a professional career in the game and looking for a proper job.
Then Ireland shocked Pakistan, and they have never looked back.
They once entered qualification tournaments with hope, but they now are saddled with the burden of expectation, which is not a bad thing, acccording to their vice captain.
"Within the players, the expectations in Irish cricket have risen hugely in the last six years," said O'Brien, who has a various pro contracts now, including with Ireland, Gloucestershire, and to play T20 cricket in Sri Lanka.
"The fans expect us to be in all the World Cups that are on. It is a good expectation to play under as it drives you on to want to continually improve as a cricketer and improve Irish cricket as a whole.
"We have been to four World Cups now, and we want to make it No 5.
"It is going to be a big game."
If Ireland defeat, they will be playing their 11th game in 12 days since the start of the tournament in tonight's final against the Afghans.
The taxing workload has already taken its toll, with Tim Murtagh, the Middlesex seam-bowler, becoming the latest addition to the Ireland squad when he replaced the injured Alex Cusack.
"It might work to our advantage, as we have had two wins in two days and have some momentum with us," said William Porterfield, the Ireland captain.
"It makes some demands on your body but if you keep winning it can work to your advantage as well."
Defeat meant the Netherlands, who used to appear regularly at World Cups, missed out on their chance to reach the showpiece in Sri Lanka.
"I'm sure [Ireland] will progress further in this tournament and on this evidence they probably deserve to," said Peter Borren, the Netherlands captain. "We haven't shown everything we can. It is very disappointing as we were aiming for that final."
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Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
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- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
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Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
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A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
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