Ireland loss means Afghan series goes to decider
IRELAND fell to a 10-run defeat at the hands of Afghanistan yesterday in Sharjah, levelling the three-match T20I series at 1-1 and setting up a decider in today’s final match of the tour. Chasing 153 for victory, they were undone by the brilliance of opposing captain Rashid Khan, whose 4-14 with the ball ripped through Ireland’s middle order. Some exceptional late hitting from Gareth Delany (39) kept Irish hopes alive but they eventually came up 10 runs short.
The game was a landmark one for Andrew Balbirnie, who made his 100th T20I appearance — becoming just the fourth Ireland men’s cricketer to do so. Having been put in the field by Khan at the toss, Paul Stirling’s side made a blistering start thanks to new ball pair Mark Adair (3-27) and Josh Little (2-20). They each struck twice in the first four overs of the match, leaving their hosts reeling at 14-4. Sediqullah Atal and Mohammad Nabi recovered with a 79-run partnership for the fifth-wicket. Barry McCarthy’s two wickets in the final over took him to 50 in T20Is, Afghanistan setting Ireland with a target of 153. Stirling and Balbirnie made a strong start to the chase before the former departed for 24 in the final over of the powerplay and the score 49-1. Balbirnie eventually made 45 from 44 balls but wickets fell around the Leinster Lightning batter. Khan then took centre stage with the ball, rushing through Ireland’s batters and removing dangermen Lorcan Tucker and Harry Tector with successive deliveries. Teenage tweaker Nangeyalia Kharote’s (2-23) excellent form also continued as Ireland failed to find an answer to Afghanistan’s spinners until Delany’s knock of 39 from only 18 deliveries. But it wasn’t enough to claim victory.