Putting on an impressive all-round performance, Afghanistan have defeated Ireland by 35 runs in the first match of the One-Day International (ODI) series in Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Invited to bat first, Afghan opening batters Rahmanullah Gurbaz (121) and Ibrahim Zadran (60) started well and shared 150 runs for the first wicket, which was their third 150-plus stand in ODIs, according to the Afghanistan Cricket Board.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz brought up his 2nd against Ireland in 4 innings, also his 6th overall in ODIs, making him the joint-highest centurion for Afghanistan.
Afghanistan lost three wickets in quick succession to go from 207/2 (38.1) to 216/4 (40.2). Still, the skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (50*) brought up his 20th ODI half-century and put on an excellent and important 71-run partnership with Mohammad Nabi (40) to take Afghanistan’s total to 310 runs in the first inning.
In reply, Fazal Haq Farooqi and Azmatullah Omarzai swung the new ball both ways to help Afghanistan with three early wickets to reduce Ireland to 34/3 in 10.1 overs before Harry Tector (138) and Lorcan Tucker (85) put on an incredible batting display as the duo shared 173 runs for the fourth wicket.
This was Ireland’s highest partnership in ODIs against Afghanistan, as well as Harry Tector’s 5th ODI hundred and his maiden against the hosts.
The wickets kept tumbling in Sharjah as Afghanistan reduced the visitors to 275/8 at the end of the 2nd inning to win the game by 35 runs.
Farooqi finished with 4/51, Azmatullah Omarzai picked up 2/47 off his 10 overs, whereas Noor Ahmad (1/61) and Gulbadin Naib (1/38) returned with one wicket each.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz was named the player of the Match for his incredible batting display as he struck 8 fours and 6 sixes on his way to 117-ball 121.
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