KABUL lost their first of two one-day internationals to Scotland by 72 runs at Stormont on Sunday, the BBC reported.
Asked to bat, Ireland were bowled out for 210 with seven deliveries to spare. A 99-run partnership between Paul Stirling and skipper William Porterfield was the highlight of Ireland’s innings,
Stirling smashed 71 and Porterfield chipped in with 53 to see the hosts romp home in style, only days before the start to the ICC World Cup, which begins on May 31.
Chasing a modest total Afghanistan managed to reach 94 for the loss of four wickets but the last six batsmen accounted for only 44 runs.
Mark Adair, who bagged four wickets, was the wrecker-in-chief, as Boyd Rankin claimed three scalps. Tim Murtagh took two wickets.
Afghanistan were bundled out for 138 inside 36 overs. Mohammad Shahzad was trapped leg-before wicket by Murtagh off the second ball in the fifth over.
Nabi and Asghar Afghan joined hands for a 54-run partnership that was broken by O’Brian, who induced an edge off Nabi.
Soon afterward, Rankin trapped Afghan leg-before for a 51-ball 29. Rashid Khan hit two sixes in an O’Brien over before Rankin had him caught at mid-off.
After the drinks, Rankin dismissed Zadran for a duck. Adair returned to wrap up the proceedings in the 36th over and finished with figures of 4-19 from his 6.4 overs.
One up in the row ODIs series, the Irish will take on Afghanistan at the same venue on Tuesday.
PAN Monitor/mud
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