Harry Tector scored a big century in the run chase. But his fierce fight failed. Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored a century to beat Ireland by 35 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
Despite losing to Ireland in the only Test, Afghanistan started the ODI series with a win. Ireland won the toss in Sharjah and put the Afghans in to bat first. Afghanistan made a huge collection of 310 runs for 5 wickets in the allotted 50 overs by batting first.
Rahmanullah scored an impeccable century to open. The other opener Ibrahim Zadran scored a half-century. Afghanistan scored 150 runs in the opening pair.
Rahmanullah left the field after playing an innings of 121 runs off 117 balls. He hit 8 fours and 6 sixes. On the other hand, Ibrahim returned to the dressing room with 60 runs off 93 balls with the help of 4 fours and 2 sixes.
Besides, Mohammad Nabi played an aggressive innings of 40 runs off 27 balls. He hit 3 fours and 2 sixes. Coming down to bat at number six, the Afghan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi scored a half-century in a destructive mood. He remained unbeaten with 50 runs from 33 balls with the help of 6 fours and 1 six.
For Ireland, Theo took 3 wickets for 55 runs in 10 overs.
In response, Ireland was reduced to 275 runs for 8 wickets in the allotted 50 overs. Harry Tector’s impeccable hundred fails as the team loses. He left the field with 138 runs off 147 balls with the help of 9 fours and 3 sixes.
Besides, Lorcan Tucker scored 85 runs off 76 balls. He hit 8 fours and 2 sixes. Tector and Tucker led the team after losing 3 wickets for 34 runs. But no other Irish batsman could reach double-digit runs.
Fazlhaq Farooqui took 4 wickets for 51 runs in 10 overs. Azmatullah took 2 wickets. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was the man of the match.
MMR/GKS
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