Aayal QureshiSharjah, UAE – Afghanistan claimed victory in the T20 series against Ireland with a resounding 57-run win in the third game held in Sharjah. Ibrahim Zadran’s stellar unbeaten innings of 72 runs propelled Afghanistan to a competitive total of 155-7.
Facing Afghanistan’s formidable bowling attack, Ireland found themselves in early trouble, slumping to 15-3 after just 2.4 overs. Despite efforts to stabilize their innings, Ireland struggled to counter Afghanistan’s relentless bowling. Curtis Campher emerged as Ireland’s top scorer with 28 runs, but it was not enough to challenge Afghanistan’s dominance.
Afghanistan’s bowlers, led by Azmatullah Omarzai, delivered outstanding performances, with Azmatullah claiming career-best T20 figures of 4-9 from his four overs. Naveen-ul-Haq also made significant contributions, taking three crucial wickets for just 10 runs.
Reflecting on the match, Ireland captain Paul Stirling acknowledged his team’s defeat, conceding that they were outplayed by the superior Afghan side. Despite the disappointment, Stirling expressed pride in some of the individual performances from his team throughout the series.
Naveen-ul-Haq’s remarkable spell saw him dismissing two Irish batsmen in successive deliveries, setting the tone for Afghanistan’s bowling dominance. Azmatullah’s pivotal contributions further dismantled Ireland’s batting lineup, leaving them struggling to keep up with the required run rate.
Gareth Delany provided a brief spark of hope for Ireland with some aggressive hitting, but Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan effectively curtailed his onslaught. As wickets fell at regular intervals, Ireland found themselves in a precarious position, ultimately succumbing to defeat at 98 all out in 17.2 overs.
Earlier in the series, Ireland had managed to secure a win, but Afghanistan’s strong performances in subsequent matches ensured their victory. With this win, Afghanistan concluded three weeks of intense cricketing action against Ireland, having previously won the one-day series.
Ireland’s historic Test victory against Afghanistan remains a cherished moment for the team, as reflected by Stirling’s sentiments. Despite the loss in the T20 series, Stirling expressed satisfaction with the overall tour experience and looked forward to future encounters between the two teams.
In summary, Afghanistan’s comprehensive victory in the T20 series underscores their growing prowess in international cricket, while Ireland’s spirited performances serve as a testament to their competitive spirit and determination.
Scorecard:
- Afghanistan: 155-7 (20 overs) – Ibrahim 72*, Ishaq 27; Little 1-27
- Ireland: 98 all out (17.2 overs) – Campher 28; Azmatullah 4-9, Naveen 3-10
Result: Afghanistan won by 57 runs.
