Niall O'Brien will rejoin his team-mates in Dubai today after flying home for "personal reasons" last weekend, but his return in time to play in next week's one-day internationals is likely to coincide with Afghanistan replacing Ireland as InterContinental Cup champions.

The Afghan coronation could be confirmed as early as this evening because if Scotland, resuming on 37-0, overtake Ireland's disappointing first-innings total of 251 all out then any lingering hopes of the Boys in Green claiming a fifth win in their signature tournament will be over.

Ireland have Kevin O'Brien to thank for reaching even that inadequate score. The big all-rounder hit six fours and three maximums in a solid 78 not out, adding 85 for the last two wickets with Tim Murtagh and Peter Chase after the defending champions had slumped to 166-8.

Down the road in Abu Dhabi, Afghanistan started in imperious form, reaching 321-3 at stumps against the United Arab Emirates in a match which skipper Asghar Stanikzai is so confident of winning he publicly declared the toss irrelevant.

"Scotland bowled very well in the second hour of the first session, slowed the run-rate right down and picked up a few wickets," the younger O'Brien said, after making his third-highest score since that match-winning century against England at the 2011 World Cup.

"I just tried to play as straight as I could, picking up any scoring opportunities. My mindset is always the same, look to be positive and score, but that doesn't mean trying to hit loads of fours and sixes. I was trying to be positive in defence as well as scoring.

"If we bowl well tomorrow morning, pick up a few early wickets, it will set us up for the rest of the day."

O'Brien may as well have added, "...and if Mars aligns with Mercury and the Afghans all go down with severe food poisoning..." The game is up, and everyone knows it.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed Kim Garth and Gaby Lewis will play in this winter's Big Bash T20 tournament in Australia.

Pembroke star Garth will re-join the Sydney Sixers, who she helped win the 2016/17 title, while Lewis will be based in Melbourne with the Renegades.