Paul Stirling took out his frustrations at not qualifying for another World Cup on the UAE bowlers in Bulawayo yesterday with a superb 162 as Ireland finally got off the mark with a 138-run win in their final Group B match.

The 32-year-old, who played in the 2011 and 2015 World Cups, went to his 14th century in one-day internationals with the third of his eight sixes and had collected 15 fours as well when he was caught on the mid-wicket boundary.

Stirling added 184 with his great mate Andy Balbirnie but the second-wicket pair were aided by some atrociously poor fielding as the skipper ended a horror run with his first half-century since the third one-dayer against Bangladesh last month.

Balbirnie was caught behind for 66 from 88 balls and after Stirling had departed in the 45th over Harry Tector scorched to yet another half-century, making 57 from 33 balls to lift the Boys in Green to 349-4, their second highest ODI total.

The UAE reply began worryingly quickly until opener Muhammad Waseem was struck painfully on the glove by Mark Adair and cheekily run out by an under-arm shy from Balbirnie as he turned his back to call on the physio.

Josh Little, whose first couple of overs were again wayward and expensive, finally found his radar with two wickets in four balls, and with Andy McBrine, Curtis Campher and George Dockrell each striking twice as well the UAE were dismissed for 211.

“In hindsight, it was a good toss to lose, and we put in a good all-round performance,” Balbirnie said.

“There was a lot of passion coming into this competition and not going into the Super Six is hugely disappointing. It's been a tough tournament and difficult to take because we’ve played very good cricket in the last 18 months.”

Meanwhile, Ireland women will look to bounce back against the West Indies in St Lucia tonight  after an encouraging start to their three-match ODI World Championship series on Monday despite losing by 58 runs.

Gaby Lewis top-scored with 83 and skipper Laura Delany made 40 in a spirited reply of 239-9 to a daunting 297-6 from the home side, which featured a century from star batter Hayley Matthews, and three wickets for Cara Murray.

It was Matthews who had seen her side to a last-gasp victory over Ireland at the T20 World Cup in February, and the Windies captain was again the difference between the sides, making 109 from 106 balls.