||Desk Report||

Afghan bowlers once again proved their worth as they clinch the victory for their side against Ireland, beating them by 5-wickets in the first ODI on Thursday in Dehradun.

With a sensational bowling line-up, Afghanistan successfully restricted Ireland at 161 in 49.2 overs. In reply, they lost 5 wickets for chasing 162 and scored 165 for 5.  

Earlier, after winning the toss Ireland elected to bat first, but the decision being proved wrong for them as the lost the first wicket for 1. Dawlat Zadran and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who picked up three wickets each, demolished the Ireland top order. Mujeeb took three crucial wickets of Iris captain William Porterfield (1), Andrew Balbirnie (2) and James McCollum (3) for a total of 14 runs.

After that, Gulbadin Naib removed Kevin O Brien (10) and Simi Singh (8). Opener Paul Stirling played a gutsy inning of 89 runs in 150 balls, was the last batsman to depart as he was cleaned up by Gulbadin Naib. Stirling along with George Dockrell tried to resist on the sixth-wicket-stand, added 76 runs that led Ireland at 145. But, Rashid Khan broke the pair as bowled Dockrell out for 37.

Then, Dawlat Zadran struck and dismissed Stuart Poynter (7), Barry McCarthy (0) and Tim Murtagh (0). Zadran on becoming the third bowler to reach the landmark of 100 ODI wickets for Afghanistan. Boyd Rankin was unbeaten at 4 and Ireland lost all their wickets at 161.

In reply, two openers Mohammad Shahzad and Hazratullah Zazai got Afghanistan off to a cautious start. The pair added 43 runs in their opening stand before Zazai was dismissed for 25 by Barry McCarthy. Then, Rankin consecutively removed the other opener Shahzad for 43 and Rahmat Shah for 22.

Afghanistan lost another wicket of Hashmatullah Shahidi (9) before Gulbadin Naib took the command. Naib scored 46 off 61 balls and almost took his side at the door of the victor. However, Naib was removed by Dockrell when Afghans were at 153. Later, captain Asghar Afghan along with Najibullah Zadran finished the game and the duo remained unbeaten at 7 and 12 respectively. Afghanistan ended at 165 for 5 within 41.5 overs. Rankin took two wickets.  

Brief Score

Ireland: 161