Ireland trounce Afghanistan by 51 runs to level ODI series

KABUL in the second One-Day International on Thursday.

As a result of the 51-run triumph at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Ireland have leveled the three-ODI series, with the decider set for Sunday.

In the first encounter on Tuesday, Afghanistan battered the opposition by 138 runs, taking a firm start to the series.

Ireland won the toss and elected to bat in the overnight match, Afghanistan Cricket Board Farid Hotak spokesman told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Before being trapped leg before wicket by Rashid Khan, opener Paul Stirling smashed a scintillating 82 and George Dockrell an unbeaten 62 to spur Ireland to 271 runs for the loss of nine wickets.

In his 10-over spell, Mujeeb Zadran took two wickets for 50 runs while Dawlat Zadran conceded 65 runs for two. Gulbadin Naib had to be content with one wicket as Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan claimed two scalps each.

McCarthy, the pick of Irish bowlers, claimed his first five-wicket haul and triggered a collapse that saw Afghanistan squander their last six wickets for just 38 runs, Hotak said.

Rahmat Shah (32), Mohammad Nabi (29) and Nasir Jamal (25) gave Afghanistan a good start, but the rest of the batsmen appeared clueless, the ACB spokesman added.

McCarthy dismissed both openers before dashing Afghanistan's hopes of chalking up victory in the series ahead of the final ODI. For his fiery bowling attack, he was named the man of the match.

For Afghanistan, Javed Ahmadi hit 48, Ihsanullah 20, Rahmat 32, Nasir Jamal 25 and Mohammad Nabi 29. But the remaining batsmen went out cheaply, Hotak concluded.

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