Ireland's Simi Singh records world’s most economical 10-over ODI figures since 2008 against the UAE

The Ireland spinner took his maiden ODI five-for and recorded an unbeaten half-century as Ireland cruised to a 112-run victory over the UAE

Ireland spinner Simi Singh bowled the most economical figures for a 10-over ODI spell since 2008 to steer his team to a resounding victory over the UAE.

The 33-year old took five wickets for just 10 runs from his allocated overs, including four maidens, to finish with an economy of one.

His figures are the most economical to be recorded in an ODI by a bowler bowling his full 10-over allocation since Zimbabwe’s Ray Price in October 2008. Playing against Ireland in Nairobi, Price bowled five maidens and conceded just seven runs to finish with an economy of 0.7. Coincidently, veteran Ireland batsman Kevin O’Brien featured in both matches.

West Indies coach Phil Simmons holds the record for the most economical 10-over spell bowled in an ODI, taking 4-3 at an economy of 0.3 against Pakistan in Sydney in December 1992. Singh’s economy places him joint-seventh on the all-time list (10 overs), alongside former New Zealand international Lance Cairns.

Additionally, Singh recorded the third-most economical five-for bowled this century – behind India’s Stuart Binny (6/4 v Bangladesh in 2014) and Sri Lanka legend Muttiah Muralitharan (5/9 v New Zealand in 2002) – and hit his maiden ODI half-century to earn a thoroughly deserved player of the match gong.

Simi Singh finishes with 5/10 in his 10 overs!

That is among the most economical five-fors in the history of the game 👏#UAEvIRE #BackingGreen☘️

Scorecard: https://t.co/6dJ9yx4vYd pic.twitter.com/tU3rSRhIm6

— Cricket Ireland (@Irelandcricket) January 18, 2021

The Indian-born all-rounder struck 54 not out off 57 balls in partnership with Curtis Campher and Gareth Delany to help Ireland to 228-6, after the visitors slipped to 10-3 inside the first five overs.

Singh then dismissed the UAE’s top five batters during his sensational spell to leave the hosts floundering on 64/5 before wickets from O’Brien, Andy McBrine and Delany secured a 112-run victory.

After multiple Covid-19 related postponements meant that just two of the four scheduled matches were played, Ireland’s series against the UAE finishes 1-1. Ireland’s next ODI is scheduled for Thursday (January 21) when they take on Afghanistan in a three-match series.