Ireland Women had a comfortable 60 runs victory in their first warm-up game in Dubai, ahead of the T20 World Cup qualifiers which begin on Sunday.

After piling up 168 for three with Gaby Lewis, Orla Prendergast and skipper Laura Delany all retiring after passing 30, they restricted Papua New Guinea, whom they play again on Friday, to 108 for nine with Cara Murray and Rachael Delaney each taking two wickets.

However, there was a rude awakening for the Ireland Academy side at the T20 European Championships in Malaga where, after a dominant first day when they lost only one wicket in completing two victories, lost by 13 runs to Spain.

Choosing to bowl first again, the hosts, with the help of 30 from one Cian Robertson over, reached 102 for eight but this time the top three, who scored all the runs on Monday, were back in the pavilion in the fourth over with just 35 runs on the board.

Seamus Lynch crashed 19 from five balls but was then caught at mid-on and although Bready’s Scott Macbeth finished 24 not out, from 15, the Ireland XI could only reach 89 for six.

Last night they beat Austria for the second time, but only by 10 runs after being bowled out for 102 and they know they will probably have to beat unbeaten Spain this morning (10.30am) if they are to emerge as group winners and return for finals week next month.