UAE trail by 285 runs despite a superb half-century from Shaiman Anwar as Ireland remain in control of their ICC Intercontinental Cup first-round match.

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At Malahide Village, the visitors closed play at 207-8 with Anwar (52no) and Mohammad Naveed (13no) frustrating the Irish with an unbeaten 45-run stand.

Earlier, Amjad Javed took four wickets as Ireland added only 62 runs to their overnight score to post 492. Ed Joyce (231) was the first to go and his dismissal marked a batting collapse for the hosts.

The UAE got off to a poor start with opener Amjad Ali (1) falling to John Mooney. The visitors recovered as Asif Iqbal and veteran Saqib Ali put on a 57-run stand for the second wicket.

Both departed and with the score reading 76-3, vice-captain Khurram Khan and Swapnil Patil continued to add the runs. The pair’s 51-run partnership came to an end as both fell to Mooney in quick succession.

The Irish bowlers soon claimed another three wickets but were left frustrated due to Naveed and Anwar’s firm approach.