The tense finish had looked a long shot earlier in the day as Ireland opening bowler Paul Mooney reduced the UAE to 36 for two.

But they had not counted on the middle order resistance of captain Khuram Khan, Syed Maqsood and Javed Ismail.

Khan made 53 before he was caught by Jason Molins off Andre Botha and Maqsood fell for 36.

But the sparks did not fly until Ismail came to the wicket. He went to 50 from just 33 balls, smashing six boundaries, including one six, before he was bowled by Botha for a thrilling 56.

He was eighth man out on 228 and the tail added just two more to leave Ireland requiring 231 to win.

That looked a tall order when Ali Asad Abbas removed Molins for two, ran out Botha for a duck and had Jeremy Bray caught for two by Khan to leave Ireland 12 for three.

And when Eoin Morgan became Abbas’ third victim with the score on 23 the Irish were staring at a shock defeat.

But Joyce and Trent Johnston had other ideas as they put together a partnership of 122 before all-rounder Johnston was bowled by Khan for an important 67.

Joyce assumed responsibility after Peter Gillespie was run out for one and Andrew White joined him in a crucial 35-run stand for the seventh wicket.

And when White was bowled by Ahmed Nadeem for 11 the result was back in the balance.

But Joyce continued to keep a cool head and went to his century from 117 balls with eight boundaries.

He lost Kyle McCallan with 19 runs still required, but Mooney held firm to help Joyce score the runs required with just one ball to spare.

Another Ireland win against the USA at Bangor tomorrow will see the hosts progress through to the knock-out stages.