Dubai: Ed Joyce guided Ireland to a four-wicket win over UAE in the opening match of the Tri-Nation Series in Dubai on Thursday.

After slipping to 91-5, chasing 223 for victory, the visitors had it all to do, but a sixth-wicket partnership of 131 between Joyce, who finished unbeaten on 116, and Gary Wilson (53) ensured Graham Ford made a winning start to his reign as Ireland’s head coach.

Irish captain William Porterfield made a fluent 28 from 31 deliveries but the hosts made early inroads with Mohammad Naveed dismissing Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie for ducks. The loss of the O’Brien brothers, Niall and Kevin, for a combined total of 13 runs put UAE firmly in the driving seat until Joyce and Wilson rescued the innings with a match-winning stand.

Wilson brought up his 12th ODI half-century, which included three boundaries, from 83 balls before falling to the slow-left arm spin of Ahmed Raza with one required for victory.