Spin sensation tears Ireland apart – at just 16 years old!
AFGHANISTAN v IRELAND ODI ROUND-UP
PAUL Stirling’s 82 handed Ireland a chance to get themselves back in the series at the mid-point mark of the second ODI.
The visitors reached 271-9 from their 50 overs thanks also to some thunderous lower-order hitting from George Dockrell.
It was a far cry from events earlier in the week when Ireland barely scraped into three figures, thrashed by 138 runs.
Mujeeb Zadran was Afghanistan’s bowling star in that first clash, the 16-yearold claiming 4-24 and his coach Raees Ahmadzai admitted it was all down to a special look as to why the youngster was picked.
Ahmadzai said: “Mujeeb was picked for the national side because he took six wickets twice in two matches at the Asia U19 Cup and we knew Sharjah was suitable for spinners so we selected him for this trip.
“He has good ability and he gave me a nice smile, and that gave me the confidence that he is good enough to play for the national side.
“I think it’s a very simple message to everyone. Cricket is like fruit that’s ready to eat. Once you think he can do it, [you pick it]. But not one or two games. If you think that he’s ready to play, then give him confidence with not one or two matches but a full series to bring him more confidence. It’s a very bad habit in some countries that some youngster plays one or two matches and then no one can give you any guarantee.
“The best thing is you should give confidence, especially the selection committee, the captain, the team members. Everyone was very friendly with him and supporting him.”
And while Afghanistan were praising the spin sensation, Ireland captain Will Porterfield admitted they didn’t know much about him.
The 60 balls they got to see helped them on Thursday, Mujeeb still picking up a couple of wickets but Ireland taking 50 runs from him.
Porterfield had said: “We knew he was in the squad but didn’t know a lot about him. But we’ve got a fair bit now to go on. It’s all about how the other lads prepare, come up with some kind of game plan to play him between now and then.
“He’s obviously a very good bowler and I think he’s pretty effective potentially with the new ball as well.”