Afghanistan beat Ireland by innings and 172 runs in Intercontinental Cup

Afghanistan edged past Ireland by an innings and 172 runs in the four-day match of International Cup.

Afghanistan edged past Ireland by an innings and 172 runs in the four-day match of International Cup. Playing at Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground, Afghanistan dominated in both the sessions of Day Three after prevailing with the bat in the first innings. Spinners Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan were effective on a track that offered enough turn for the spinners. The duo picked up 9 wickets between them. Earlier, Afghanistan had asked Ireland to follow on after bundling them out for 261. Rashid picked up 9 wickets in the match, while Nabi picked up 8 wickets. READ: Afghanistan in driver’s seat with 367-run lead against Ireland in Intercontinental Cup Match, Day 2

Afghanistan reduced the Irish bowlers to nothing after electing to bat. Mohammad Shahzad provided a perfect start, scoring a stunning 85. While Shahzad’s partner Shabir Noori failed to put up any impactful performance, Rahmat Shah stepped in and remained unbeaten with Shahzad at the end of first session of the opening day.

Skipper Asghar Stanikzai, however, was the star performer, scoring his career best 145. Nasir Jamal also scored his career best 73 to put Ireland in further trouble. Wicketkeeper-batsman Afsar Zazai perfectly added the finishing touch with his maiden First-Class century, which helped Afghanistan put up 537 for 8 (decl.).

Ireland batsmen, however, could not emulate what their opposition had done. They ended Day Two with 170 for 7 on the board. Given Afghanistan posted a huge total, their entire batting unit needed to up the ante. But Ireland batting rather collapsed early, with only one significant partnership building between Ed Joyce and Andy Balbirnie. Another crucial contribution came from John Anderson, who remained unbeaten at 61. Ireland eventually put up 261 in their first innings. Three of team’s batsmen scored in single digit, while two departed for ducks.

Rashid Khan was pick of the bowlers with his five-for. Mohammad Nabi and Rahmat Shah were the other successful spinners. Among the pacers, only Rahmat Shah was successful with a couple of wickets, while Dawlat Zadran went wicketless despite bowling brilliantly.

They were asked to follow on, and they could not bring any change in the scenario. With the pitch deteriorated even more, Nabi and Rahmat got a lot of assistance from it.

No Ireland batsman could add significant score. For that matter, Niall O’Brien and Gary Wilson both churned out 15 each, which was the highest individual score of the innings. They were eventually bowled out for 104, handing Afghanistan a comfortable victory. Nabi and Rashid were once again successful on the track. Nabi ended the innings with a 6-for, which tallied his count of wickets to 8 in the match. Rashid picked up 3 wickets, making his tally an attractive 9 wickets.

Brief scores:

Afghanistan 537 for 8 (Mohammad Shahzad 85, Rahmat Shah 46, Asghar Stanikzai 145, Nasir Jamal 73, Afsar Zazai 103*; George Dockrell 3 for 160, Andy McBrine 2 for 76, John Anderson 2 for 68) won against Ireland 261 (Ed Joyce 45, Andy Balbirnie 62, John Anderson 61; Rashid Khan 5 for 99, Zahir Khan 2 for 35) and 104 (Niall O’Brien 15, Gary Wilson 15; Mohammad Nabi 6 for 40, Rashid Khan 3 for 44) by innings and 172 runs.

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