KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghanistan defeated Ireland by 92 runs in the second One-Day International (ODI) of the five-match series at Bready Cricket Club on Friday, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
The match was reduced to 47 overs per side because of rain and a wet outfield. Afghanistan, after being asked to bat first, scored 299 runs for the loss of eight wickets.
Ibrahim Zadran was Afghanistan’s top scorer, making 84 runs from 97 balls. Sediqullah Atal contributed 45 runs, while Hashmatullah Shahidi scored an unbeaten 36 from 21 deliveries.
Ireland’s Mark Adair and Jay Moondra took two wickets each.
In reply, Ireland were bowled out for 207 runs in 33.4 overs, with Cade Carmichael scoring 62 and Andy Balbirnie making 36.
Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan was the main destroyer, taking six wickets for 34 runs in 7.4 overs.
Rashid struck at crucial stages of Ireland’s innings and triggered a late collapse.
Ireland lost their final four wickets for only nine runs, ending their chase well short of Afghanistan’s total.
Afghanistan made a strong start with the bat despite losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz early. Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran then added 116 runs for the second wicket to put Afghanistan in a strong position.
Ibrahim increased the scoring rate after the powerplay and completed his half-century from 52 balls. After Atal was dismissed, Ibrahim continued to anchor the innings alongside Rahmat Shah.
Afghanistan lost Ibrahim and Rahmat in quick succession, but Azmatullah Omarzai and Darwish Rasooli helped maintain the momentum before Shahidi’s late hitting took the total close to 300.
Ireland also began their chase positively and reached 65 for one in the powerplay.
Balbirnie looked comfortable before Rashid Khan dismissed him and Harry Tector in quick succession.
Carmichael, playing only his fourth ODI, continued to attack the Afghan bowlers and completed his maiden ODI half-century from 44 balls. He eventually fell after scoring 62.
Ben Calitz and Curtis Campher briefly gave Ireland hope by adding 41 runs in three overs, but Rashid dismissed Calitz and Ireland’s resistance quickly ended.
Rashid then claimed three more wickets as Ireland lost their last four wickets for nine runs.
With the victory, Afghanistan now lead the five-match ODI series 1-0. The first ODI had been abandoned because of rain.
The third ODI is scheduled to be played on Monday at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast.
sa
