Afghanistan wins, leveling the series at 1-1 as Ireland’s multi-format visit of Afghanistan draws to a close.
Afghanistan won the second T20 international of the three-match series in Sharjah on Friday by a margin of 10 runs, thanks to a strong bowling attack led by captain Rashid Khan.Afghanistan wins, leveling the series at one as Ireland’s multi-format visit of Afghanistan draws to a close.
Despite Gareth Delany’s heroic 39 off 18 balls, Ireland was unable to achieve the 18 runs needed in the final over to win.
The final ball saw Delany caught on the boundary off Fazalhaq Farooqi, and the penultimate ball was halted for no run, therefore one six was insufficient.
Ireland’s multi-format visit against Afghanistan is coming to a finish, as Afghanistan’s win ties the series 1-1.
Ireland was unable to get the 18 runs required off the final over to win, despite a heroic 39 off 18 balls from Gareth Delany.
Despite hitting one six, it was insufficient as Delany was caught on the boundary by Fazalhaq Farooqi on the final ball, which was stopped for no run.
Once Andy Balbirnie and Paul Stirling opened the innings with a 49-run partnership and Stirling was removed in the sixth over, the visiting team got off to a solid start in their chase of 153 runs.
Star spinner Khan removed the Irish captain, followed by Lorcan Tucker for ten and Harry Tector for a first-baller, and so ended Ireland’s run chase.
With just 5.1 overs remaining, Balbirnie was removed leg before wicket by Nangeyalia Kharote on 45, leaving Ireland’s tail too much to do even with Delany’s late heroics.
With four wickets for just 14 runs, Khan effectively won the match for the home team by dismissing George Dockrell and Mark Adair in his double-wicket 16th over.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Afghanistan amassed a total of 152-9 in its 20 overs.
With 59 off 38, including six fours and three sixes, Mohammad Nabi top-scored for the hosts before Ben White’s bowling was picked off by Stirling.
Afghanistan’s top order struggled, with Mohammad Ishaq and Azmatullah Omarzai, who are ranked four and five respectively, scoring golden ducks. Adair was the best bowler for the Irish, finishing with stats of 3-27. After being run out on 35, opener Sediqullah Atal became Afghanistan’s 93-5 with 6.5 overs remaining. He was the only out-and-out hitter to provide significant opposition.
After Afghanistan passed 150 runs, Khan steadied the ship at number nine with a brilliant knock of 25 off 12 balls.
Josh Little, who claimed three wickets in the opening Twenty20 International on Friday, had yet another impressive showing with the ball when he dismissed opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the second over.
All is at stake in Monday’s tour finale in Sharjah as Ireland attempts to add a T20I series success to its Test triumph, with Afghanistan having taken the ODI series earlier in March.
