Afghanistan has secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in their five-match ODI series against Ireland, following a hard-fought three-wicket victory in the third match. The win came after a tense, low-scoring contest where Afghanistan successfully chased down a target of 207 runs. The series lead was established after the first ODI was washed out, and Afghanistan won the second match by 92 runs.
In the decisive third ODI, Afghanistan‘s captain, Rahmat Shah, expressed satisfaction with the win, acknowledging the nervousness experienced during the closing stages of the match. He commended his bowlers, including Yamin Ahmadzai, Rashid Khan, and AM Ghazanfar, for their intelligent assessment of conditions and adherence to field placements. Shah also highlighted Ireland‘s ninth-wicket partnership as a learning point, indicating a desire to break such stands earlier in future games.
Key Performances in the Third ODI
Rashid Khan was named Player of the Match for his all-round contribution. He took 3/44 in 10 overs with the ball and then played a crucial unbeaten knock of 37 runs from 43 balls to guide his team to victory. His calm presence under pressure was instrumental in sealing the win, keeping the scoreboard ticking while absorbing the pressure from the Irish attack.
Earlier in the chase, Rahmanullah Gurbaz provided a strong start for Afghanistan, scoring 71 runs from 77 balls. Contributions also came from Sediqullah Atal and Hashmatullah Shahidi. However, Ireland‘s Gavin Hoey produced a game-changing spell, removing Gurbaz in the 29th over and dismissing Darwish Rasooli shortly after. When Mark Adair removed Azmatullah Omarzai for 13, Afghanistan found themselves in a challenging position at 176/7, giving Ireland a glimmer of hope.
Ireland‘s captain, Paul Stirling, reflected on his team’s ability to put themselves in competitive positions in both matches. He felt that an additional 20 or 30 runs could have made a difference in the third ODI, noting the tricky pitch conditions that assisted seamers early on before favoring spinners. Stirling praised the fight shown by Jai Moondra and Gavin Hoey with the bat, who made batting look easier than the top-order batters. He also highlighted the impact of the heavy roller used during the interval, which contributed to changing pitch conditions.
The Irish innings saw an impressive 76-run ninth-wicket partnership between Gavin Hoey and Jai Moondra, which helped lift their total to a competitive 206 after being reduced to 128/8. Yamin Ahmadzai eventually broke this stand, finishing with figures of 2/35. The spin duo of Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar (3/29) and Rashid Khan (3/44) were effective in tearing through Ireland‘s middle order after Fazalhaq Farooqi secured an early wicket.
Second ODI Recap and Series Outlook
In the second ODI, Afghanistan secured a commanding 92-run victory over Ireland. Rashid Khan was a standout performer in that match as well, taking six wickets. He finished with impressive figures of 6-34, marking his third “six for” in ODI cricket. His best bowling performance in the format remains 7-18 against the West Indies in 2017.
During the second ODI, Rashid made crucial breakthroughs, including dismissing Andy Balbirnie and Harry Tector caught behind, breaking a 72-run partnership between Balbirnie and Cade Carmichael. Ireland‘s chase of 300 was hampered by a collapse where they lost seven wickets for 63 runs. Opener Ibrahim Zadran top-scored for Afghanistan with 84 runs in their total of 299-8.
Looking ahead, Paul Stirling emphasized Ireland‘s need to continue developing and learn to deliver a complete 100-over performance. He noted that the team is currently producing strong passages of play in isolation, and the challenge lies in maintaining that improvement in subsequent matches. The series continues with the fourth ODI on Wednesday, August 12, starting at 9.45 am GMT.
Rashid Khan‘s consistent all-round contributions have been pivotal for Afghanistan throughout the series, demonstrating his match-winning capabilities. His unbeaten 37 runs in the third ODI, including a boundary off Harry Tector to bring Afghanistan within 2 runs of victory, showcased his ability to perform under pressure.
The Irish bowlers, particularly Gavin Hoey, also showed resilience. Hoey, a young wrist-spinner, was praised by Stirling for his control while bowling with an attacking field, indicating his potential for future improvement. Jai Moondra also contributed with the bat, and despite an expensive spell with the ball in the third ODI, his partnership with Hoey was a highlight for Ireland.
The next match will see Ireland aiming to bounce back, while Afghanistan will look to maintain their dominance in the series on August 12.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
