Four days after Ireland's manager John Wright announced that his side would be targeting the final of the Plate Championship, his team showed the sort of form that may take them there with an impressive 123-run win against Uganda in Chittagong.
Ireland won the toss on a clear day at the M.A. Aziz Stadium and elected to bat first. It proved a wise decision as they plundered Uganda's bowlers to all quarters at more than six an over.
Eoin Morgan top-scored with 117, putting on 166 for the third wicket with Kevin O'Brien who was the second-highest scorer with 70.
Andrew Riddles and Simon Wells added the icing to the cake with 23 runs from 15 balls and 33 off 11 respectively as Ireland powered to 329 for 9 in 50 overs.
Despite his 160-minute batting stint, the all-rounder Morgan was asked to bowl the second over of the second innings.
Ireland captain William Porterfield clearly had a hunch that it was Morgan's day and the medium-pacer repaid his skipper's confidence by claiming wickets with his first and fourth balls to set Ireland on the way to a comfortable victory.
Uganda batted on for 45.2 overs but were never close to the required run-rate. Morgan was one of four Irish bowlers to claim two wickets as Uganda were all out for 206.
Man of the Match Morgan was delighted with his innings.
"I am very happy as this was my best batting performance for Ireland," said Morgan.
"The wicket was very good and the conditions were ideal with the ball really coming onto the bat."
After the victory, Ireland coach Adrian Birrell backed up his manager's earlier comments.
"I am satisfied with the performance and we must aim to bat as well in our next two matches," said Birrell.
"I want us to go on and win this group, then win the semi-final to make it to the final of the Plate Championship."
Uganda coach Tom Tikolo was disappointed with his side's bowling performance.
"We bowled poorly and our fielding wasn't very good but our batsmen did alright and we made over 200 for the first time in the tournament," said Tikolo.
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