Afghanistan produced a strong all-round performance to defeat Ireland by 92 runs in the second ODI and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Rashid Khan starred with the ball, taking 6/34 as Afghanistan bowled Ireland out for 207 after posting 299/8 in a match reduced to 47 overs per side.
Ireland| By Niaz Shinwari
Afghanistan were asked to bat first after Ireland won the toss in the second ODI on Thursday, with the match starting after a delay caused by a wet outfield and subsequently reduced to 47 overs per side.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran provided Afghanistan with a solid start before the middle order maintained the momentum and the batters finished strongly to post 299/8.
Ibrahim Zadran top-scored with 84 runs, recording his 10th ODI half-century. Sediqullah Atal added 45, while Hashmatullah Shahidi remained unbeaten on 36.
Azmatullah Omarzai scored 33, Gurbaz made 32 and Rahmat Shah contributed 30 in his first match as Afghanistan’s full-time ODI captain.
Ireland began the chase competitively but struggled to maintain momentum as Afghanistan’s bowlers continued to take wickets at regular intervals.
Rashid Khan was the key figure, claiming 6/34 to bowl Ireland out for 207. The performance gave Rashid his seventh five-wicket haul in ODI cricket and earned him the Player of the Match award.
Omarzai also reached two major milestones during the match, completing 2,000 international runs and taking his 100th international wicket.
With the achievement, Omarzai became the fourth Afghan cricketer, after Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib and Rashid Khan, to reach 2,000 international runs and 100 wickets in international cricket.
Rahmat Shah also became the eighth Afghan captain to lead Afghanistan in men’s ODIs, following Nawroz Mangal, Karim Khan Sadiq, Mohammad Nabi, Asghar Afghan, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan and Hashmatullah Shahidi.
The opening ODI of the series was abandoned because of persistent rain. Following the second match, Afghanistan and Ireland will travel to Belfast before the third ODI on Monday after a two-day break.
The five-match ODI series between Afghanistan and Ireland forms part of Afghanistan’s international cricket schedule. The first match was abandoned due to rain, leaving Afghanistan with a 1-0 lead after the second ODI.