1st T20I
Afghanistan fall short in achieving the target of 150 runs, so with this Ireland have won their 1st T20I
Ben White and Josh Little shone with the ball for the visiting team, while Harry Tector’s unbeaten half-century guided Ireland to a 1-0 series lead over hosts Afghanistan.
Ireland clinched victory in the first T20I of their three-match series against Afghanistan, winning by a margin of 38 runs in Sharjah on Friday.
Ben White and Josh Little demonstrated their bowling prowess for the visiting team, while Harry Tector’s unbeaten half-century propelled Ireland to a 1-0 series advantage over Afghanistan.
“We have a big two months ahead.
We need to put this behind us and focus on performing at our best to win games,” he added, looking ahead to the T20 World Cup starting in June.
Afghanistan’s pursuit of 150 for victory got off to a disastrous start as Mark Adair dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz with the very first delivery of the innings.
Sediqullah Atal, Gurbaz’s opening partner, swiftly followed him back to the pavilion after being caught off Harry Tector’s bowling for a mere one run.
In the second over, Tector bowled Azmatullah Omarzai, setting up a potential hat-trick chance.
Ben White then spearheaded the bowling attack, securing the dismissals of Mohammad Ishaq, Mohammad Nabi, Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, and Nangeyalia Kharote, concluding with commendable figures of 4-20.
Despite a brief resistance from Naveen-ul-Haq, who managed to score 13 runs off 15 balls, Afghanistan were eventually bowled out for 111 in 18.4 overs.
Earlier, Afghanistan’s skipper Rashid Khan won the toss and opted to field first.
Tector’s undefeated innings of 56 runs from 34 balls, comprising seven fours and two sixes, steered Ireland to a total of 149-6.
Openers Stirling and Andy Balbirnie laid a strong foundation with a partnership of 38 runs before Balbirnie was dismissed by Azmatullah Omarzai after contributing 22 runs.
Making a successful return from injury, Rashid was the standout bowler for Afghanistan, finishing with figures of 3-19, which included the crucial wicket of Ireland’s opener Stirling for 25 runs in the 11th over.
Khan also removed Curtis Campher for a golden duck and later disrupted the partnership between Gareth Delany and Tector in the 17th over.
Despite Tector’s valiant effort, Ireland faced difficulties in establishing substantial partnerships until the arrival of Delany and Adair to the crease.
Tector managed to forge partnerships of 35 with Delany and an undefeated 42 with Adair, setting Afghanistan a target of 150 runs, a chase they ultimately failed to accomplish.
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