Image Credit- ACB
In ODI cricket,
Afghanistan defeated Ireland for the sixth time in a row at Sharjah thanks to
Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 121 off 117 balls, which defeated Harry Tector’s 138 off
147 balls.
To set Afghanistan up for a massive total, Gurbaz produced his sixth ODI
hundred, which is tied for the highest by any player in Afghanistan. For the
opening stand, he had provided 150 while Ibrahim Zadran had contributed 60.
To provide his team with some late momentum, Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (50*)
also scored a half-century. Before being bowled out in the 39th over by Theo
van Woerkom, Gurbaz smashed eight fours and six sixes. Gurbaz had taken George
Dockrell and van Woerkom for 54 off 35 balls, showing especially serious intent
against the left-arm spinners.
Rahmat Shah was
quickly overthrown by Craig Young, but Afghanistan was able to cross 300 for
only the ninth time in Twenty20 Internationals.
Quick with the left arm Then, Fazalhaq Farooqi executed a double-strike to
eliminate Curtis Campher and Andy Balbirnie. Paul Stirling, the captain, had
also left early, putting Ireland three down on the powerplay.
Tector then steadied the batting and elevated Ireland with a 173-run
partnership for the fourth wicket with wicketkeeper-battler Lorcan Tucker. In
the 39th over of the chase, Farooqi halted Tucker on 85 while Tector scored his
seventh fifty-five in an ODI. After that ejection, Ireland lost 4 for 42,
setting off yet another collapse.
Tector then fell in the final over as Afghanistan wrapped up a 35-run victory
to go 1-0 up in the three-match ODI series.