In the first Twenty20 International of their three-match series, Ireland defeated Afghanistan on Friday in Sharjah by a score of 38 runs.
Afghanistan has already taken a 1-0 lead in the series thanks to a perfect fifty-five from Irish captain Harry Tector. Josh Little and Ben White were in charge of the guests.
Mark Adair took the first wicket of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, but Afghanistan still needed to win by 150 runs. Tector was surprised a little, and Gurbaz’s opening partner, Sediqullah Atal, came to accompany him.
Azmatullah Omarzai was set up for a possible hat-trick when the Irish left-armer hit him with the first ball of the wicket in the second over.
As offensive coordinator, White fouled out Muhammad Nabi, Nangeyalia Kharote, Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, and team captain Muhammad Ishaq, the four players who had scored twenty points or more.
Despite a century off 13 balls and 15 runs by Naveen-ul-Haq, Afghanistan was bowled out for 111 in 18.4 overs.
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Afghanistan’s returning captain, Rashid Khan, won the toss and decided to put Ireland in to bat.
Harry Tector’s unbroken 56 off 34 balls, which contained seven fours and two sixes, helped Ireland reach 149–6.
Stirling came next, establishing the visitors’ 38-run partnership, after Omarzai dismissed Andy Balbirnie on 22.
After returning from injury, Khan was the best bowler with a 3-19. He dismissed Ireland’s opening batsman, Stirling, for a total of 25 in the eleventh over.
The good collaboration between Tector and Gareth Delany came to an end when the leg spinner bowled Curtis Campher for a golden duck in the 17th over.
Tector played a great centre game, but his efforts could not produce a win-win situation until Delany and Adair reached the crease.
Adair and Delany both achieved perfect scores of 42 and 35, but Afghanistan missed the right-hander’s 150 aim.
The tour was successful with Ireland’s victory in the first Test on March 1. The tourists might win the T20I series if they win the second game on Sunday in Sharjah.
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