Published: Jan 10, 2015, 06:56 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 11, 2015, 02:16 AM (IST)
Jan 10, 2015
Afghanistan were skittled out for a paltry 180 against Ireland in Match two of the Dubai Triangular Trophy. Only four Afghan batsmen reached double figures. Javed Ahmedi top scored as he had against Scotland with an 81 whereas Najibullah Zadran contributed with 45. George Dockrell was the pick of the Irish bowlers with figures of four for 35.
Afghanistan began on a disastrous note losing wickets left right and center even as Javed Ahmadi was stroking the ball like a dream. They had lost their first two wickets at the score of 31 and Ahamdi had scored 24 of those. The pattern continued for the remainder of their innings as Ahmedi dominated from an end while the rest of the line up failed to put up a fight. John Mooney and George Dockrell did the bulk of the damage, ripping through the Afghan top order with consummate ease. Ahmadi notched up his fourth One-Day International fifty and quickly moved into the 70’s but the Afghan’s were staring down the barrel at the half way stage, tottering at 105 for five.
At that stage none of the Afghan batsmen with the exception of Ahmedi had entered double digits, such was the sorry state of affairs. Ahmadi and Najibullah Zadran stitched together a valuable 49-run stand before the final nail in the coffin was hammered by Part timer Kevin O’Brien who got rid off Ahmadi for 81. At 130 for six it was a matter of trying to surpass the 200-run mark. Najibullah played a useful knock of 45 which took them within touching distance of the 200-run mark but the Afghans eventually fell short by 19 runs to be bowled out for 180.
Earlier Ireland had won the toss and elected to field to kickstart their tri nation campaign in the UAE. ED Joyce returned to the Irish squad after a brief period of sabbatical. Afghanistan had beaten Scotland comfortably in the first match of the Triangular series but Ireland are expected to be a stiffer challenge if the can adapt to the alien conditions in the UAE.
Brief scores:
Afghanistan 180 in 44.2 overs (Javed Ahmadi 81; George Dockrell 4 for 35) vs Ireland.
