Paul Stirling scores first ODI century of 2021 in historic ODI in Abu Dhabi vs UAE: WATCH

Ireland are currently on a tour to United Arab Emirates to play a 4-match ODI series with first of four-match series played on Friday. Despite two UAE players testing positive for COVID-19, match took place at Abu Dhabi. Ireland skipper Andy Balbirnie, after winning toss, decided to bat first and visitors ended ir innings at 269/5.  

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UAE vs Ireland 1st ODI: Paul Stirling scores first century of 2021

While both teams struggled to play international matches in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic, Ireland batsman Paul Stirling lit up New Year by becoming first cricketer to score a ODI century in 2021 at Sheikh Zayed Stium in Abu Dhabi. Stirling scored 131 runs off 148 balls which included 9 fours and 4 sixes. 

Kevin O'Brien and Curtis Campher were or top scorers for side. O'Brien, who opened innings for Ireland alongside Stirling, scored 23 runs, while Campher scored 24 runs. Gareth Delany scored a quickfire 21 runs of 15 balls to take team total to 269/5. For UAE, Rohan Mustafa was pick of bowlers with figures of 2/43 in 10 overs. While  UAE vs Ireland 1st ODI result is yet to be out, at time of writing, hosts (UAE) were reeling at 56/3 after 15 overs with team's top batsman and wicketkeeper Vriitya Aravind having been dismissed by Barry McCarthy.

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While Paul Stirling scored first century in ODI format in 2021, Australia's Steve Smith scored first century of 2021 in Test cricket. On second day of ongoing third Test in Sydney, Steve Smith scored his 27th Test century by scoring 131 off 226 deliveries with help of 16 boundaries to guide  Australian team to a competitive total of 338. At end of Day 2, India were 96/2 with openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill sent back to  pavilion.

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Paul Stirling career stats

30-year-old has played 3 Test matches so far in his career and has scored 104 runs in format. His highest score in longest format is just 36 runs. On or hand, Stirling has proved his credentials in limited-overs formats, scoring 4,277 runs in ODI cricket and 2,124 runs in T20I format. 

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UAE vs Ireland 2021 schedule

Coming to UAE vs Ireland 2021 schedule, three matches will be played at Sheikh Zayed Stium in Abu Dhabi. While first match is currently underway, second match will be played on Sunday, January 10, while third ODI will be played on Tuesday, January 12.

Opener Paul Stirling led from front by scoring an unbeaten century (131 runs), while skipper Andy Balbirnie himself scored a half-century (53 runs).

Im: Cricket Ireland / Twitter