What's new

Ireland Tour of Afghanistan (2024)

FearlessRoar

FearlessRoar

T20I Star
Joined
Sep 11, 2023
Runs
30,521
Another competitive assignment is in line for Afghanistan.

Starting Next Week in Abu Dhabi, UAE

1708618418401.png
 
The Afghanistan Cricket Board's National Selection Committee has finalized the Afghanistan National Team's Squad for the one-off test match against Ireland that is scheduled to be played from February 28 – March 03 at the Tolerance Oval in Abu Dhabi.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz has been added to the test squad and is expected to be a potential debutant for Afghanistan against Ireland. In addition, a right-arm leg-spinner, Khalil Gurbaz, has been added to the squad to provide his leg-break bowling services. He has had a very good FC record recently and has picked 40 wickets in 17 innings with the Best of 6/125 in an inning.

Fast Bowler Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai has also been recalled to the squad after featuring in the Afghanistan squad for the Bangladesh tour in June last year. Yamin Ahmadzai and Mohammad Saleem Safi who were part of Afghanistan’s squad for the Sri Lanka test earlier this month, miss out on the selection due to injuries.

ACB CEO Mr. Naseeb Khan states that Afghanistan carries a rich playing history against Ireland over the past 15 years. “We have quite a good playing history with Ireland, both countries have played plenty of cricket against each other and have been granted ICC Full Membership at the same time. This will be our second test against them and we are eagerly looking forward to what will be an exciting test match between the two team.” “We will also be playing tests against Bangladesh, New Zealand (for the first time) and Zimbabwe later in the year, so we are looking forward to building a formidable lineup for the test matches ahead.” He added.

Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil, ACB’s interim Chief Selector: “The team underwent a 10-day conditioning camp in Abu Dhabi, which featured 22 players and all the support staff to work with the players and ensure full preparation for the series. We have thoroughly monitored the proceedings and have picked the squad which includes several new faces who have excelled well during the recent domestic events.”

Afghanistan Squad for the one-off test against Ireland:

Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmat Shah (VC), Ikram Alikhail (WK), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Noor Ali Zadran, Abdul Malik, Baheer Shah, Nasir Jamal, Karim Janat, Khalil Gurbaz, Zahir Khan, Zia Ur Rehman Akbar, Nijat Masoud, Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai and Naveed Zadran.

This will be Afghanistan's 9th overall test match and second against Ireland. The one-off test match against Ireland will be followed by 5 more test matches this year, including a two-test home series against Bangladesh and a one-off home test against New Zealand. Afghanistan has previously won three test matches each against Ireland (2019), Bangladesh (2019), and Zimbabwe (2021).

ACB
 
Game is in UAE. So, advantage Afghanistan.

If game was in Ireland, Ireland would've been favorites.
 
strange - The game was initially supposed to be played at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, but will now instead be played at the Tolerance Oval - a venue that is adjacent to the bigger ground. Stay around for the toss and teams..
 
Afghanistan vs Ireland, Only Test, TOSS & TEAM UPDATE:

Afghanistan have won the toss and have opted to bat

Teams:

Ireland (Playing XI): Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker(w), Andrew Balbirnie(c), Peter Moor, Curtis Campher, Andy McBrine, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Craig Young, Theo van Woerkom

Afghanistan (Playing XI): Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Rahmat Shah, Noor Ali Zadran, Nasir Jamal, Karim Janat, Zia-ur-Rehman, Nijat Masood, Naveed Zadran, Zahir Khan
 
2 early wickets , pitch report said very good batting surface for first 3 to 4 days . 20/2 in 9
 
After losing 2 early wickets, Afghanistan has done well to not come crashing. Good session for both teams.

cYGWGjJ.png
 
Well then, 2nd session is all about Ireland dominating the Afghan team so far. 7 down now for 119.
 
Looks like a very good start for Ireland, could be on for their maiden Test match victory if they can hold their nerve and bat well ?
 
Tector and Stirling together now, they are Ireland’s best players, so if they can put a partnership on of 80+ then Ireland will be in a great position.
 
END OF DAY ONE

What a day of highs, lows and highs again - great performances and mixed fortune.

14 wickets fell and 255 runs scored.

Afghanistan 155 (54.5 overs)
Ireland 100-4 (31 overs)
 
FearlessRoar said:
END OF DAY ONE

What a day of highs, lows and highs again - great performances and mixed fortune.

14 wickets fell and 255 runs scored.

Afghanistan 155 (54.5 overs)
Ireland 100-4 (31 overs)
Click to expand...
Afghanistan vs Ireland Test day 1: IRE 100/4 at Stumps, trail by 55 runs

Despite the efforts of Curtis Campher (49), Naveed Zadran and Zia-ur-Rahman snapped a couple of wickets each to keep one hand on the on off Test against Ireland at Tolerance Oval. After being restricted for 155 earlier in the day, Ireland posted 100 runs on the board but lost four wickets at Stumps.

Powered by a five-wicket haul from the 27-year-old seam bowling all-rounder Mark Adair, Ireland managed to run through the Afghanistan batting before Tea on Day 1 of their Test at the Tolerance Oval on Wednesday.

Afghanistan has been recently thrashed in a one-off Test against Sri Lanka. They will be hoping to get in a good performance against Ireland and boost their confidence. Hashmatullah Shahid who has a fabulous World Cup will lead the Afghan side.

The Indian Express
 
120/5 - what do you make of this pitch folks ? remember , pitch report & commies said excellent for batting for first 3-4 days
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Afghanistan has done well to take 5 wickets. They might get them out for less than 200.
 
Score updates

Ireland 134/5 after 45 overs and day 2 of the Test with Afghanistan.
 
Ireland now leads by 45 runs in the 1st inning. Afghanistan has to keep this lead under 100 else it will be 1 way traffic for them and they will be out of this game. IRE 200/6
 
END OF DAY TWO.

Another eventful day in the Test, with Afghanistan leading by 25 runs with 7 wickets in hand.

▪ Afghanistan 155
▪ Ireland 263
▪ Afghanistan 134-3 (37 overs)
 
Last edited:
FearlessRoar said:
END OF DAY TWO.

Another eventful day in the Test, with Afghanistan leading by 25 runs with 7 wickets in hand.

▪ Afghanistan 155
▪ Ireland 263
▪ Afghanistan 134-3 (37 overs)
Click to expand...

On the second day of their only Test match against Ireland in Abu Dhabi, Afghanistan notched up a remarkable fightback, turning the tables. Afghanistan, who looked down and out after they were bowled out for 155 in the first innings, came up with a resolute showing with both bat and ball on Thursday. The day was marked by an exceptional performance from left-arm spinner Zia-ur-Rehman, who secured a five-wicket haul, and a gritty batting display by captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, who led from the front in Afghanistan's second innings.

The match, held at the Tolerance Oval in Abu Dhabi, had initially seen Ireland taking the upper hand on Day 1, thanks to a first five-wicket haul in Test cricket by Mark Adair. The right-arm pacer's impressive bowling had put Ireland in a strong position, leaving Afghanistan with a mountain to climb. Ireland had reached 100 for 4 at Stumps on Day 1 after bowling out Afghanistan cheaply in the first innings.

However, Zia's five-wicket haul turned out to be a game-changer for Afghanistan. Zia's ability to extract movement and bounce from the pitch troubled the Irish batsmen throughout their innings, leading to a series of crucial wickets that halted Ireland's momentum.

Leading the charge in Afghanistan's second innings was none other than the captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi. Known for his calm demeanor and solid technique, Shahidi played a captain's innings when it mattered the most.

"t was pressure but I keep it calm and simple, as a captain you have to lead from the front. Gurbaz is a class player, he has a lot of shots. I just told him, keep it simple and you have a good defense, if you show the deence, they will give you loose balls. Last two Tests my performance was not good, today was good and I will try to maintain this tomorrow (Friday)," Shahidi said at the end of the day's play.

Mark Adair continued to to hurt Afghanistan as he dismissed the host team openers early, removing Ibrahim Zadran (12) and Rahmat Shah (9) in his first spell, taking his tally for the match to 7 wickets. Noor Ali Zadran and captain Hashmatullah stitched a 55-run stand for the 3rd wicket to put Afghanistan back on track as they needed a solid partnership to not allow Ireland run away with the game.

However, Barry McCarthy produced the breakthrough that Ireland were yearning for in the final session as Noor Ali was dismissed for 32.

Captain Shahidi got another able partner in Rahmanullah Gurbaz as the two batters made sure Afghanistan remained uscathed during the rest of the day's play. While Shahidi was unbeaten on 53, Gurbaz hit a quickfire 28-ball 23 not out, including 2 sixes and as many boundaries.

India Today
 
Pitch report: The pitch hasn't broken up yet, but there's a crack on a length at one end. Not enough rough created for the spinners to work with either. Looks like a decent batting surface, reckons Niall O'Brien.
32/3 atm . Will 160-170 be defendable ?
 
Adair is having a very good Test . 8 for 67 till now . ball keeping a bit low - strange pitch report !
 
If Afghanistan somehow manages to take the lead of 200, the game is on then.
 
Afghanistan bowled out for 218 and set a target of 111 runs for Ireland. If Ireland wins, it will be their first-ever Test match.
 
How to Afghans find all these spinners and we cant even find one. This normal left handed spinner looks amazing and on top they have so many mystery spinners surely they will all be wasted cant we say we will swap ONE with Nawaz maybe :P
 
Skipper Andrew Balbirnie’s fighting knock guides Ireland to their first victory in Test cricket

GHldz4-WQAAhgzU
 
MenInG said:
Skipper Andrew Balbirnie’s fighting knock guides Ireland to their first victory in Test cricket

GHldz4-WQAAhgzU
Click to expand...
Ireland create history with maiden Test win

Ireland secured their first victory in the format since achieving full Test status almost seven years ago.

Ireland's quest for Test status came to fruition on 22 June 2017, when the ICC confirmed them as Full Members, along with Afghanistan.

Nearly seven years later, Ireland have managed to win a Test on their eighth attempt and the win comes against their former Associate team member.

Interestingly, the two teams had last met in a Test in 2019, and it was Afghanistan, who secured their first win in the format, against Ireland.

Ireland played their first Test in May 2018, almost a year after achieving Test status, against Pakistan. They played two more in 2019 – losing to Afghanistan and England. And played four in 2023, with losses against England, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Playing their eighth Test in Abu Dhabi, a one-off encounter, Ireland were put in to bowl by Afghanistan. It was a good toss to lose for the Irish as they rolled over the Afghan batters with a brilliant display.

Mark Adair, in particular, took full advantage of the swinging conditions and registered his first five-wicket haul in Tests. He was ably supported by the pace of Barry McCarthy, Craig Young and Curtis Campher.

If not for the patient opening knock of 53 by Ibrahim Zadran and the resistance shown by Karim Janat (41*) towards the end, Afghanistan would have ended up with a much lower first-innings score.

In reply, Ireland stuttered at the beginning before Curtis Campher (49) and Harry Tector (32) stabilised the innings. Despite a brief comeback by Afghanistan, Ireland's lower middle-order put up a solid performance, led by mature knocks from Paul Stirling (52), Lorcan Tucker (46) and Andy McBrine (38) helped them post a respectable total, securing a big 108-run lead.

Adair picked up from where he had left off and removed Zadran early before he could inflict any damage. He followed that up with the wicket of Rahmat Shah. Afghanistan's top and middle order offered a fightback with crucial knocks from captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (55) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (46) but Adair removed Shahidi and along with McCarthy and Young strangled the scoring rate.

Naveed Zadran (25) managed to delay the inevitable for a while but Afghanistan were eventually bowled out for 218, setting Ireland a target of 111 to win.

Despite a modest target, Afghanistan did not make things easier for Ireland, reducing them to 8/2 and eventually 13/3, thanks to a stunning opening spell from Naveed Zadran and Nijat Masood.

Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie then combined first with Paul Stirling and then with Tucker, sharing a half-century stand for the fifth wicket to take Ireland home.

Balbirnie's unbeaten knock of 58 paved the way for Ireland's six-wicket win over Afghanistan on Day 3, creating history.

ICC
 
ACB Name Squad for the Three-Match ODI Series against Ireland

Kabul, March 1, 2024: Afghanistan Cricket Board’s National Selection Committee today finalized the Afghanistan National Team’s Squad for the three-match ODI series against Ireland, scheduled to be played from March 7 to 12 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in UAE.

Afghanistan will be without the services of the two front-line spinners as both Rashid Khan (Back Surgery) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (right phalanx sprain), continue to recover from the injuries.

Left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Nangyal Kharoti, right-arm off-spinner Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, who featured at the recently concluded ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024, and the right-arm quick Bilal Sami are the three newcomers that have been called up to the national setup to face Ireland in the ODI series.

ACB Chief Selector Mr. Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil: "Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman continue to recover from their respective injuries and are unavailable for selection. However, we have included some of the top-performing youngsters in Nangyal Kharoti and Bilal Sami. Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar is a very talented cricketer and has demonstrated excellent skills during the U19 World Cup. He will provide cover in Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s in the ODI series against Ireland.”

Afghanistan Squad for the three-match ODI series against Ireland: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmat Shah (VC), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Nangyal Kharoti, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Bilal Sami, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Naveed Zadran and Farid Ahmad Malik.

In addition to the 16-member lineup, Zia Ur Rahman Akbar, Shahidullah Kamal and Qais Ahmad are included in the list as reserves.

Etisalat Afghanistan Telecommunication Company holds the title sponsorship, while Super Cola Beverages Manufacturing Company is the Presenting sponsor and Bank-e-Millie Afghan BMA is named as the associate sponsor for Afghanistan’s all-format series against Ireland.

Series Schedule:
​
Date​
Match​
Venue​
7th March, 2024​
1st ODI​
Sharjah​
9th March, 2024​
2nd ODI​
Sharjah​
12th March, 2024​
3rd ODI​
Sharjah​

SOURCE: ACB​
 
Andrew Balbirnie hopes maiden Test win will inspire next generation

Ireland skipper Andrew Balbirnie was hopeful that the team's maiden Test victory on Friday would inspire people to take up red-ball cricket.

In their eighth Test match seven years after making their first appearance in the format, Ireland registered their maiden victory, a terrific six-wicket win over Afghanistan at the Tolerance Oval in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

"It's a lot bigger than cricket," skipper Balbirnie said after the Test victory, where his fourth-innings knock played a crucial role.

"Hopefully, we will inspire some people back home to want to be Test match cricketers and hopefully we can back them up to do it."

Ireland were on top for most of the Test match, taking a 108-run lead in the first innings and then delivering another good performance with the ball to lower their target.

The only hiccup came in the fourth innings, when the side were reduced to 13/3 in a run-chase of 111. But Balbirnie's fighting half-century and partnership with Lorcan Tucker took the side home.

"With the score [target] like that, you are one partnership away, the more time we spent there, the easier it got," Balbirnie said.

"Obviously there were nerves, we were chasing our first win, but I knew if I could settle in there, we could win."

"We knew it would be attritional stuff, probably swung a bit more on that first day, but we still had to bowl well and create chances," Balbirnie said.

"And I think we did that. The spinners came into the game as well, created chances, tied down ends when they needed to as well. It was just an all-round performance and I think we deserved it.

"From the first day we won a lot of sessions out there and to win our first Test, we are absolutely ecstatic."

The skipper acknowledged that they haven't played a lot of Test cricket over the years, but was confident that when the opportunities do come along, his side would be more than ready for it.

We know that we are not going to get 10-15 Tests a year, that's fine," Balbirnie said. "But when we do get the opportunity, we are going to do our best to create result and create history.

"We have done that now. It is nice to get the monkey off the back. There was a list coming up the screen every so often about how when the first Test win came. Very special to be a part of the group to do that."

ICC
 
Afghanistan vs Ireland, 1st ODI

Ireland have won the toss and have opted to field

Ireland (Playing XI):

Paul Stirling(c), Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker(w), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Andy McBrine, Theo van Woerkom, Graham Hume, Craig Young

Afghanistan (Playing XI):

Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Allah Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi
 
A fifth hundred in just his 40th ODI innings. Harry Tector shines again for Ireland.

1709837890161.png
 
Afghanistan have won the first ODI against Ireland by 35 runs.
=====
A stunning century from Harry Tector wasn't quite enough to seal victory for Ireland Men in the first ODI of three against their Afghan counterparts in Sharjah on Thursday.

Tector's 138 from 147 deliveries contained nine fours and three sixes but, despite his heroics, the 24-year-old couldn't get Ireland over the line as they eventually came up 35-runs short of their hosts.

Chasing 311 runs for victory, it appeared Ireland would be a considerable way off their target after losing the top three batters early - first Paul Stirling caught behind for 5, then Andrew Balbirnie bowled for 4, followed by Curtis Campher also bowled, leaving the tourists wobbling at 34-3.

Enter Tector, who led the fightback with a 173-run stand for the fourth-wicket alongside Leinster Lightning teammate Lorcan Tucker. Tucker was the perfect foil but eventually fell for 85 from 76 deliveries shortly before his partner moved to three figures. The Ireland wicket-keeper hit eight fours and two sixes, marking his 50th ODI appearance with a new highest score of his own in this format.

Despite the departure of his club and country companion, Tector kept up the fight - battling both the Afghan attack and the onset of cramp as the game stretched late into the night. He scored all around the wicket before falling in the final over, having taken his side so close to what would have been a famous win.

Earlier, Ireland had made just two changes from the team that created history by winning the one-off Test between these two teams in Abu Dhabi six days ago, as George Dockrell and Graham Hume replaced Barry McCarthy and PJ Moor.

Captain Stirling won the toss and elected to field first in the Sharjah sun. It proved to be tough work in the heat, though, as Afghanistan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran racked up 150 for the first wicket.

While the pair played the conditions perfectly, Ireland's bowlers remained disciplined throughout and Northern Knights spinner Theo van Woerkom eventually made the breakthrough, ripping one past Zadran (60) to bowl the right-hander with the final ball of the 31st-over.

Van Woerkom (3-55) was the pick of the Ireland bowlers and registered career-best international figures after bookending his 10th and final over by removing both Azmatullah Omarzai (19) and, crucially, the century-making Gurbaz (121).

The North West Warriors duo of Craig Young and Hume went on to strike further blows for Ireland but late hitting courtesy of Mohammad Nabi (40) and Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (50*) saw their side to 310-5 from their 50 overs.

Ultimately, it proved too many for the Irish.

The two sides return to the same venue on Saturday in the 2nd ODI, starting at 11.30am (Ireland time).

MATCH SUMMARY

Afghanistan v Ireland, 1st ODI, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates -- 7 March 2024

Afghanistan 310-5 (50 overs; R Gurbaz 121, I Zadran 60, H Shahidi 50*; T van Woerkom 3-55)
Ireland 275-8 (50 overs; H Tector 138, L Tucker 85; F Farooqi 4-51)

Afghanistan won by 35 runs
 
Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran (C), Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ikram Alikhil (WK), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Nangeyalia Kharote, Naveed Zadran, Fazalhaq Farooqi, AM Ghazanfar.

Ireland (Playing XI) - Paul Stirling (C), Andy Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (WK), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Theo van Woerkom, Graham Hume.

TOSS - Ireland have won the toss and will BOWL against Afghanistan in the third ODI today.
 
An Ireland batting collapse helped Afghanistan cruise to a 117-run victory in Sharjah and claim a 2-0 success in the one-day international series.

Hashmatullah Shahidi (69) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (51) helped Afghanistan to 239-9 on Tuesday.

Mark Stirling made a half-century and Curtis Campher hit 43 before Ireland capitulated from 93-2 to 103-8.

The Irish were undone by spin duo Mohammad Nabi (5-17) and Nangeyalia Kharote (4-30).

Ireland beat Afghanistan to secure a first Test victory before losing the first ODI, with the second game washed out on Saturday.

Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran (21) put on 62 for the first wicket and after falling to 96-4 another impressive partnership, this time 99 from Shahidi and Nabi (48), set Afghanistan on their way to a competitive total.

Mark Adair was the pick of the Irish bowlers with 3-51 while Barry McCarthy took 2-42.

Ireland's reply looked in good shape until Nabi and Kharote ripped through the middle order to effectively decide the game.

Stirling (50) and Campher were the only batters to reach double figures as the Irish went down to a heavy defeat with 15 overs to spare.

The teams will now play three T20 matches, starting on Friday.
 
Ireland vs Afghanistan is turning out to be a rivalry of sort.

It suits them considering they got Test statuses at the same time. They have had identical rises.
 
Afghanistan has been dominating teams like Zimbabwe, sri lanka Ireland etc. The most improved team of the decade.
 
Rashid Khan will return to action against Ireland as the T20 squad has been announced by the Afghan cricket board.

DnRWqbf.jpeg
 
Toss Update:

Afghanistan vs Ireland, 1st T20I ​


Afghanistan have won the toss and have opted to field.

Afghanistan (Playing XI) -Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Mohammad Ishaq, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (C), Nangeyalia Kharote, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Ijaz Ahmadzai.
Ireland (Playing XI) - Paul Stirling (C), Andy Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (WK), Neil Rock, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Joshua Little, Ben White.
 
Harry Tector hit a superb 56 and Ben White claimed four wickets as Ireland defeated Afghanistan by 38 runs in the first of three Twenty20 matches.

Ireland took to the crease first in Sharjah as Andrew Balbirnie and Stirling built up an opening partnership.

Balbirnie was first to be dismissed when he was caught by Rahmanullah Gurbaz on 22, and Lorcan Tucker was next to fall on four in the seventh over.

Returning captain Rashid Khan inflicted a quick-fire double when Stirling was caught by Ibrahim Zadran, and the spinner bowled Curtis Campher first ball.

However, Tector's stand was crucial and that allowed Ireland to end their 20 overs at 149-6.

Ireland landed an early blow when Mark Adair removed Gurbaz with the very first ball of the innings and Little struck twice in the second over to remove Sediqullah Atal and then Azmatullah Omarzai, to leave Afghanistan struggling at 4-3.

Wickets for White and Barry McCarthy restricted Afghanistan to 50-5 inside nine overs, before the former dismissed Ijaz Ahmadzai and Kharote with back-to-back balls and then got rid of Mohammad Nabi.

Little returned to claim his hat-trick when he got the better of the talismanic Rashid, who was making his return from a back injury. That wicket put Ireland in control and McCarthy struck the final blow to leave Afghanistan all out for 111 with eight balls to spare.

The second T20 takes place at the same venue on Sunday before Monday's third and final match.
 

Afghanistan vs Ireland, 2nd T20I​


Afghanistan have won the toss and have opted to bat

Afghanistan (Playing XI):

Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Mohammad Ishaq, Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, Nangeyalia Kharote, Rashid Khan(c), Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Ireland (Playing XI):

Paul Stirling(c), Andrew Balbirnie, Lorcan Tucker(w), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Joshua Little, Benjamin White
 
Mohammad Nabi's 59 and Rashid Khan's 4-14 helped Afghanistan level the Twenty20 series against Ireland.

Afghanistan slumped to 14-4 early on in Sharjah after Josh Little and Mark Adair both took two wickets.

But Nabi's 38-ball innings helped the Afghans post a competitive 152-9.

Ireland looked on course to win the series as they reached 49-0 in 5.1 overs before wickets tumbled and despite late big hitting from Gareth Delany, they could only reach 142-8.

Skipper Paul Stirling was bowled by Nangeyalia Kharote and while Ireland rallied to reach 68-1, Rashid dismissed Lorcan Tucker and Harry Tector in successive balls to turn the contest in Afghanistan's favour.

Nabi then caught and bowled Curtis Campher before Kharote crucially trapped Andrew Balbirnie lbw after the Ireland Test skipper had reached 45.

The Irish looked set for a heavy defeat as franchise star Rashid bowled George Dockrell and Mark Adair to leave them on 95-7 but Delany produced late resistance as he hit four sixes in an 18-ball 39 before departing off a Fazalhaq Farooqi delivery, with Sediqullah Atal taking the catch.

Nabi's inning included three sixes and six fours, with Atal (35) and Rashid (25) also making vital contributions with the bat after Little and Adair had ripped through Afghanistan's top order.

Little bowled Rahmanullah Gurbaz to leave the Afghans on 6-1 with Adair dismissing Ibrahim Zadran and Mohammad Ishaq in successive balls before Azmatullah Omarzai was out for a duck off another Little delivery.

However, Nabi and Atal steadied the Afghanistan innings with a vital 79-run partnership.

The series decider will take place in Sharjah on Monday, which will round off three weeks of action between the counties, Ireland having won the one-off Test in Abu Dhabi before the Afghans clinched a 2-0 victory in a one-day series where one of the games had to be abandoned because of rain.

Ireland earned a 38-run victory in the T20 series opener on Friday when Tector hit 56 and Ben White took four Afghanistan wickets.
 
Afghanistan have won the toss and have opted to bat

Ireland (Playing XI): Paul Stirling(c), Andrew Balbirnie, Lorcan Tucker(w), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Joshua Little, Benjamin White

Afghanistan (Playing XI): Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran, Mohammad Ishaq(w), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan(c), Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, Nangeyalia Kharote, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi
 
This tour has been very entertaining.

Ireland won the Test series.

Afghans won the ODI series.

T-20 series is tied at 1-1. Final game today.
 
Ireland Men lost their third and final T20I against Afghanistan on Monday night, with the hosts claiming the series 2-1 in the process.

After the Afghans posted 155-7 - the highest score of the series so far - Ireland battled hard but were bowled out for 98, ending a memorable and engaging tour on a down note, but a tour full of positives for a still young and evolving squad. In particular, fans will long remember the day Ireland Men claimed an historic first victory in Test cricket – and despite losing both white-ball series, the Irish side had some great moments with bat and ball, and had fought their way into potential match-winning positions on several occasions.

But today was not to be for the Men in Green. Paul Stirling's side remained unchanged from their loss the night before and were put into the field first, for the second game in succession.

As has been his want in the UAE over the past month, Mark Adair picked up an early scalp before Gareth Delany and Curtis Campher also chipped in with a wicket apiece, reducing Afghanistan to 63-3 after 10 overs.

Ireland's bowlers were impressive once again, with all six options used by Stirling claiming an Afghanistan wicket. Meanwhile, Ibrahim Zadran was the man who held his side's batting together with a new career best in T20I cricket of 72 from 51 deliveries - a total which helped the hosts to 155-7 from their 20 overs.

Andrew Balbirnie took nine from the first over, but the prodigious swing of Naveen-ul-Haq did for both Balbirnie and Lorcan Tucker in the second. Fazalhaq Farooqi then bowled Stirling to reduce Ireland to 15-3 and up against it in their pursuit of victory.

Their task got greater when in-form Harry Tector fell for 17 and, at 46-5 at the midway point of their run chase, the game was all-but over. A 36-run partnership between Campher and Delany threatened to get their team back into the game, but the task proved too great.

While Afghanistan's spinners had led the way in the previous games, their seamers did the damage in game three. Azmatullah Omarzai played the starring role with 4-9 from his four overs and Naveen collected 3-10.


MATCH SUMMARY

Afghanistan v Ireland, 3rd T20I, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates -- 18 March 2024

Afghanistan 155-7 (20 overs; I Zadran 72*; C Campher 1-23, J Little 1-27)
Ireland 98 (17.2 overs; C Campher 28; A Omarzai 4-9, N ul-Haq 3-10)
 
An entertaining tour comes to an end.

Ireland got their historic maiden Test win. Afghans won both white ball series.

Congratulations to both teams.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

BouncerGuy
Pakistan, Afghanistan & UAE T20I Tri-Series (2025) - Discussion Thread
Replies
60
Views
3K
Cricket Warrior
Cricket Warrior
FearlessRoar
[PICTURES/VIDEOS] Afghanistan appoints Younis Khan as mentor for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
2
Replies
111
Views
4K
Major
Major
Ball Blazer
England tour of Ireland (2025)
Replies
2
Views
77
sweep_shot
sweep_shot
BouncerGuy
[VIDEO] Tazeem 'Taz' Ali, Zen Malik and Hamza Shaikh during Ramadan on tour with Warwickshire
Replies
6
Views
603
BouncerGuy
BouncerGuy
BouncerGuy
South Africa tour of UAE 2024 (white-ball series against Afghanistan and Ireland)
Replies
71
Views
4K
Cricket Warrior
Cricket Warrior
Back
Top