||Desk Report||

Afghanistan led the 5-match ODI series 2-1, thrashing Ireland by 109 runs in the fourth ODI held in Dehradun on Friday. Rashid Khan’s all-round performance, 52 off 58 balls and 2 for 22, helped his side to win this series-leading game. 

Rashid along with Mohammad Nabi added 86 runs in the eighth-wicket stand that guided the hosts to a guided the hosts to a mediocre but competitive total of 223. Nabi smashed the highest among the Afghans 64 off 85 balls before his dismissal by newcomer James Cameron-Dow. In reply, Ireland bowled out at 114 only.

Earlier, Afghans faced a batting collapse as they lost their top six wickets for 81 runs. Except, captain Asghar Afghan, who scored 54 off 70 balls, other top-order batsmen failed to make any big score. The two openers Hazratullah Zazai and Noor Ali Zadran dismissed for respectively 14 and 9 runs. The other middle-order batsmen including Rahmat Shah dismissed for 15, followed by Ikram Ali Khil for 1, Gulbadin Naib for 1 and Najibullah Zadran for 10.

However, Asghar Afghan tried to resist alone the Irish bowlers before a 50-run partnership with Mohammad Nabi in the seventh-wicket stand. The pair was broken by an unfortunate run out of the skipper. After then, Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan made heroic efforts that put up their side to the competitive total. The pair added 86 runs before Nabi’s dismissal by James Cameron-Dow. Then, Aftab Alam removed for the naught and Rashid Khan finally for 52. Afghanistan were bowled out at 223 in 49.1 overs. Cameron-Dow claimed 3 for 32.

In chasing of 224, Ireland got the first blow when they lost opener captain William Porterfield for a total of 31.  Porterfield added 21 before his departure. Then, the very next over, Andrew Balbirnie was sent back for the naught by of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, followed by Paul Stirling for 11. Simi Singh and Kevin O Brien added 33 runs in their fourth-wicket stand. Simi dismissed for 20.

After then, George Dockrell removed for 8 Stuart Poynter for 4. Kevin O Brien tried to resist but he was also sent back by Aftab Alam for 26 off 57 balls after Andy McBrine’s bowled out for 1. Iris were 96 for 9 while Tim Murtagh dismissed for the naught in same over of Aftab. However, Ireland were bowled out at 114 with the dismissal of Boyd Rankin for 9. Aftab took 4 for 25 while Rashid and Mujeeb picked up two wickets each.

Brief Score

Afghanistan: 223

Nabi 64, Asghar 54, Rashid 52; Cameron-Dow 3-32