When stumps were drawn after 96 overs in the Gulf state, Ireland's total read 461 for 2.

Both batsmen will have one eye on Ivan Anderson's Irish record score of 198 which has stood since 1973. Morgan has faced 200 balls and his 22 fours and a six and Botha has faced 190 balls and hit 12 fours.

Having won the toss, the Irish top four all cashed in on an excellent batting strip and quick outfield, hitting the boundary on 51 occasions.

Openers Bray and Will Porterfield both continued their recent good form, sharing a century opening stand before Porterfield went for 46, caught by Arshad Ali off the bowling of Nadeem for 46.

Bray followed shortly after, trapped lbw by Arshad Ali for 82. He hit 11 fours in his 113-ball innings.

Ireland will be satisfied with their day's work, but know that only an outright victory will see them through to the final against Canada. The much-criticised bowling attack will need to take 20 UAE wickets in around two and a half days. Their batsmen have certainly helped them by scoring so quickly and heavily.

Ireland omitted Railway Union pair Niall O'Brien and Kenny Carroll, and North County brothers John and Paul Mooney from the eleven.

Meanwhile Pakistani allrounder Shahid Afridi will miss the World Cup match against his former Irish colleagues after being handed a four-match ODI ban for brandishing his bat at a spectator, during the match against South Africa at Centurion Park last week. Afridi played for Ireland in the C&G Trophy last summer. Pakistan only have two more full internationals before their opening match in the Caribbean against West Indies. He has the right to appeal within 24 hours.