Ireland's cricketers have moved another step closer to the Super 10 phase of the World T20 in Bangladesh.

Ireland are top of the Group B standings in the preliminary round after a 21 run victory over the United Arab Emirates through the Duckworth Lewis method.

With Ireland's batsmen seemingly in control of the game, a couple of floodlight failures followed by a heavy rainstorm meant that the match had be be abandoned.

Kevin O'Brien and Paul Stirling were the pick of the Irish bowlers after both took two wickets as the UAE were restricted to just 123 runs, before Ed Joyce and William Porterfield starred with the bat, helping them to a total of 103 before play was halted.

The only concern for Ireland was an injury to Stirling, who had to come off after a blow to the elbow during the first over.

Today's victory follows yesterday's opening win over Zimbabwe's cricketers.