Boyd Rankin claimed his third man-of-the-match award in as many games as Ireland swept past the USA by 64 runs in the World Twenty20 qualifiers in Dubai.

The huge Warwickshire paceman took 4-9 from his four overs and was at times unplayable as the USA were bowled out for 96 in reply to Ireland's total of 160-6.

Ed Joyce and Kevin O' Brien were the backbone of a much more solid Ireland batting performance - the former working the ball cleverly in the middle overs to make 46 from 47 balls.

O'Brien, who slipped back down to No5 after opening against Italy, crashed two sixes and two fours in his top score of 47 from 36 balls.

Without a win in the tournament, the USA were never going to mount a serious challenge and Rankin ran riot, hitting the stumps three times and only conceding three singles in his first three overs.

A second big win for Ireland keeps them in second place on run-rate in Group B but still behind Namibia who squeezed past Uganda by four runs to maintain their 100 per cent record.

The winner of Ireland's next match against Scotland should be assured of a place in the complicated end-of-tournament play-offs but the winners of each group have a big advantage when it comes to qualifying for the World Twenty20.