Ed Joyce’s monstrous knock of 160 allows Ireland to beat Afghanistan by 13 runs in 5th ODI

Opener Ed Joyce struck a monstrous 160, and allowed the hosts Ireland to seal a slender 13-run win over the visitors Afghanistan, in the fifth ODI at Belfast.

Opener Ed Joyce played the innings of his life, as he struck a monstrous 160, and allowed the hosts Ireland to seal a slender 13-run win over the visitors Afghanistan, in the fifth and final One-Day International (ODI) at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast on Tuesday. With this win, Ireland have managed to square the series 2-2, as the opening ODI was washed out. Gary Wilson too played a healthy knock of 58, while Kevin O’Brien was impressive with the ball, claiming three for 57, while Barry McCarthy and Peter Chase claimed a couple of wickets each, as Ireland won the do or die encounter. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Ireland vs Afghanistan 2016, 5th ODI at Belfast

Earlier, Afghanistan skipper Asghar Stanikzai won the toss and elected to field first, as the Irish were off to a shaky start, losing their opening wicket in just 27 runs, in the form of skipper William Porterfield for mere eight. At the score of 44, it was Sean Terry, who fell for a mere couple. However, it was followed by a massive 134-run stand between Joyce and Wilson, as it was not until at the score of 178, when Wilson fell, after scoring his 11th ODI half-century.

At the score of 184, it was O’Brien, who fell for a mere single, followed by Paul Stirling, at the score of 192, who fell for a mere couple, as Joyce completed his 4th ODI ton, and went on to finish the innings with a match-winning total of 265 for the loss of five wickets, along with his great innings of 160. Dawlat Zadran of Afghanistan managed to claim a couple of wickets for 49. FULL CRICKET UPDATES: Ireland vs Afghanistan 2016, 5th ODI at Belfast

Afghanistan were off to a shaky stat to their innings, as with just 10 runs on the board, it was Mohammad Shahzad, who fell for mere seven, followed by Javed Ahmadi for just three, at the score of 13. At the score of 27, it was Gulbadin Naib, who fell for a mere couple, while at the score of 64, it saw the fall of Rahmat Shah, who fell for a steady 30. As the score struck 99, it was Stanikzai, who fell too fell for a steady 32, followed by Mohammad Nabi for 25 at 119.

However, it was followed by a 93-run stand between Najibullah Zadran and Rashid Khan, before Rashid fell for 40 at the score of 212, followed by Mirwais Ashraf for an unfortunate duck, and Najibullah at the same scores, as he scored his fifth ODI half-century, while the Afghan bowlers were successful in keeping them 13 runs short at the end of the final over, as they claimed the win to square the series.

Brief scores:

Ireland 265 for 5 in 50 overs (Ed Joyce 160, Gary Wilson 58; Dawlat Zadran 2 for 48) beat Afghanistan 253 for 9 in 50 overs (Najibullah Zadran 54, Rashid Khan 40; Kevin O’Brien 3 for 57) by 13 runs.

Full Scorecard

(Ayush Gupta is a reporter at CricketCountry. A passionate supporter of Manchester United, he idolises Roger Federer and is also a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) maniac. He can be followed on Twitter @Ayush24x7)

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