Published: Jul 13, 2016, 12:10 AM (IST)
Edited: Jul 13, 2016, 12:10 AM (IST)
Afghanistan have beaten Ireland by 39 runs in the second One-Day International (ODI) at Belfast and go 1-0 up in the five-match series. Ireland were set a target of 251 to win the match but they managed to score just 211. Ireland started off the run chase well with William Porterfield and Ed Joyce putting on 71 for the first wicket. Porterfield was cleaned up my Mohammad Nabi in the 15th over. Joyce however kept going and scored a good fifty, before he was caught behind off Mirwais Ashraf. Ireland kept losing wickets at regular intervals and never recovered. Full Cricket updates, Afghanistan vs Ireland 2016, 2nd ODI at Belfast
However, after his heroics with the ball, Kevin O’Brien smacked the ball around and scored a 27-ball 35. During his stay at the crease the hosts believed they had a chance to win this match. But after he was dismissed wickets started tumbling and the required run rate started increasing.
Nabi and young Rashid Khan were the pick of the bowlers, picking up three wickets a piece. Rashid registered his best ODI figures, finishing with 3 for 28 in his 10 overs. Dawlat Zadran and Ashraf were the other two wicket-takers for Afghanistan.
Earlier, Ireland had won the toss and elected to field first. The first ODI got washed out due to rain, turning this series into a virtual four-match ODI. The next match of the series will be played at the same venue on July 14. Hosts Ireland will look to put in a better performance in that match and draw level in the series.
Brief Scores:
Afghanistan 250 in 49.2 Overs (Mohammad Shahzad 66, Najibullah Zadran 59; Kevin O’Brien 4 for 45, Barry McCarthy 4 for 59) beat Ireland 211 in 48.2 Overs( Ed Joyce 62, Kevin O’Brien 35; Mohammad Nabi 3 for 45, Rashid Khan 3 for 28) by 39 runs.
