||Desk Report||

Mohammad Nabi shone with both bat and ball as Afghanistan clinched 5-wicket-win over Ireland in the first T20 and took a 1-0 series lead on Thursday in Uttarakhand, India. With this win, Afghanistan continued their winning streak over Iris in eight consecutive T20s.

Nabi scored an unbeaten 49 from 40 and claimed 2 for 16 that restricted Ireland at 132 for 6 in 20 overs. In reply, the allrounder made an unbeaten sixth-wicket partnership with Najibullah Zadran as the Afghans scored 136 for 5 within 19.2 overs.

Earlier, after electing to bat first, the two Iris openers Paul Stirling and Kevin O’Brien gave Ireland a strong start. But, Afghanistan got early success when Mujeeb Ur Rahman dismissed Kevin O’Brien for 5. Then, Karim Janat sent back Andrew Balbirnie for. Ireland fell into trouble when Mohammad Nabi removed Captain Paul Stirling for 23 off 25 balls.

Nabi struck again and removed Simi Singh for 9.  On the other side, Stuart Thompson, who twice found the off-side boundary, sent back by Rashid khan for 18 runs. In the same over, Rashid removed Shane Getkate for the duck. Ireland were 65 for 6.

Then, George Dockrell (34) took the charge and along with Stuart Poynter (31) added 67-run partnership in the seventh-wicket-stand. The duo was unbeaten and led Ireland to 132 for 6.  Mohammad Nabi picked up 2 for 16 while Rashid Khan took 2 for 21.

In chasing of 133, Afghans lose their skipper Asghar Afghan for 16.  Asghar added only 5 runs and sent back by Peter Chase. Then, Boyd Rankin removed another opener Hazratullah Zazai for 11. In the last ball of his over, Rankin dismissed Karim Janat for the duck.

Samiullah Shenwari gave a little hope to Afghans but Joshua Little sent back him for 17. Then, Mohammad Nabi took the charge and held one side of the wicket. Afghans lost their fifth wicket when Shane Getkate sent back Sharafuddin Ashraf for 6. Afghans were 50 for 5 while Najibullah Zadran came to the crease and stood with Nabi.

The duo took the charges and made a partnership of unbeaten 86 runs in sixth-wicket-stand that led Afghanistan to the win.  The pair ended the game with a result of 136-5. Rankin claimed 2 for 39. The second match will kick off on Saturday in the same venue.

Brief scores

Ireland: 132/6

Dockrell 34*,  Poynter 31*, Nabi 2-16, Rashid 2-21