Ireland have named their squad for their World Twenty20 qualifying tournament in the UAE, with the uncapped Max Sorensen included in the 14-man fold.

South African-born all-rounder Sorensen was selected ahead of Middlesex fast bowler Tim Murtagh, who recently secured an Irish passport.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Rory McCann was picked instead of Stuart Poynter, with the touring party featuring 12 men from Ireland's squad for last year's World Cup.

"We felt that the squad that had been preparing together all through the winter deserved the opportunity to gain qualification. It is indeed a very experienced squad, which we feel will serve us in good stead in high pressure games," said chairman of selectors Ross McCollum.

"While we haven't named Tim Murtagh or Albert van der Merwe in the 14, both are in our named replacements, and we'll have no hesitation in bringing either in if any injuries occur. Stuart Poynter was unlucky to miss out, but we felt that given the prolific form that Rory McCann showed in domestic cricket in 2011, that he deserved his chance."

Ireland feature in Group B in the 16-team tournament alongside Scotland, Namibia, Oman, Uganda, Kenya, USA, and Italy. Two qualification places are on offer for the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka in September.

Squad: William Porterfield (captain), Alex Cusack, George Dockrell, Trent Johnston, Nigel Jones, Ed Joyce, John Mooney, Rory McCann, Kevin O'Brien, Boyd Rankin, Max Sorensen, Paul Stirling, Andrew White, Gary Wilson.

Replacements: Tim Murtagh, Andrew Poynter, James Shannon, Albert van der Merwe.