Peter Chase got his act together with four wickets in Dubai as Ireland cruised to a 203-run victory over Scotland with a full day to spare but the win will not be enough for the Boys in Green to claim a fifth InterContinental Cup when the final round of matches is completed tonight.

YMCA all-rounder Simi Singh made 59 as the defending champions were bowled out for 271 before lunch yesterday, leaving their Celtic rivals 382 to win, a victory target that quickly went from imposing to impossible as Ireland's four-pronged seam attack found their rhythm.

Tim Murtagh claimed three of the first six wickets to fall, Boyd Rankin added two to his first-innings haul of four and when Scotland's seventh-wicket pair provided nuisance value, the golden arm of Kevin O'Brien ended their resistance.

Ireland kept half an eye on events in Abu Dhabi, hoping that the United Arab Emirates might somehow upset the Afghanistan juggernaut, but although the hosts fought hard, they conceded a big first-innings lead and, following on, had lost three batsmen a second time by stumps.

The unbeaten Afghans, who only need a draw to claim their second IC Cup, are likely to wrap up a sixth win in the tournament some time this afternoon and will then turn their attention to a three-game one-day international series against Ireland in Sharjah, starting on Tuesday.