Ireland coach Phil Simmons says the ICC High Performance camp in UAE will be a huge boost to his side’s preparations for the World Twenty20 and challenged his young team to impress in this month’s tournament.

Simmons watched his team lose by six wickets to Worcestershire at Abu Dhabi Oval 2 on Friday, in their first practice match in the UAE. Ireland could only register 127-7 in their 20 overs while Worcestershire finished 130-4.

“It was good to be here doing this (ICC high performance camp),” said the 50-year-old, whose side arrived in UAE one week back.

“We have been here for the last week in Dubai practising outside in the sun. Back home in Ireland, we come from an indoor situation because of the cold weather and it’s quite difficult to train. So this camp was hugely important to us in preparing for Bangladesh.”

While Simmons acknowledges his team must improve, captain William Porterfield says yesterday’s defeat was disappointing.

“We have to keep improving as the tournament is only a few days away. The defeat was very disappointing as we have been together for the last four weeks,” said Porterfield, whose side plays Hong Kong in their final practice match at Sharjah on Saturday, before flying to Bangladesh.

Ireland play Nepal and Bangladesh in their warm-up matches, before they begin their World Twenty20 campaign on March 17 against Zimbabwe, UAE (March 19) and Netherlands (March 21).

Following Trent Johnson’s retirement and the injury of John Mooney, Simmons has a squad mixed with experience and youth, and believes the return of former England batsman Ed Joyce, who had missed the West Indies tour last month, will be a big boost to the team.

“He is a class batsman and he can make a huge difference to the side.”