Afghanistan down Ireland, keep T20 series alive

KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghanistan have defeated Ireland in their third T20 International, keeping the five-match series alive against the hosts.

Ireland elected to bowl first after winning the toss in Friday’s match, with Afghanistan setting the hosts a target of 190 runs for the loss of five wickets.

A superb batting display from Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Najibullah Zadran took Afghanistan to a win, according to ESPN Cricinfo.

Afghanistan have thus avoided a series defeat against the opposition in Belfast.

Afghanistan bounced back from two consecutive defeats in the five-match series as Gurbaz and Najibullah set up a total of 189 for five.

Ireland were reduced to 85 for seven in the chase, following which George Dockrell and debutant Fionn Hand took them close with a record 74-run stand. But the hosts eventually fell short by 22 runs.

For the visitors, Naveen-ul-Haq grabbed three wickets, Fazal Haq Farooqi and Mujeeb Zadran took two each. Skipper Mohammad Nabi claimed one scalp.

Gurbaz was named man of the match.

sa/mud