Dublin, August 8: Afghanistan triumphed over Ireland by 92 runs in the second ODI, thanks to the exceptional bowling performance of star spinner Rashid Khan. The match took place at the Brady Cricket Club, where Afghanistan set a target of 300 runs. Ireland was bowled out for 207 runs in just 33.4 overs while chasing the target.
Ireland faced an early setback, losing captain Paul Stirling for just 5 runs. However, Andrew Balbirnie and Kadeer Karmichael formed a solid partnership, adding 72 runs for the second wicket and bringing the score to 96. Balbirnie was dismissed for 36 runs. Karmichael scored a half-century, making 62 runs off 66 balls, including 2 sixes and 6 fours. Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker contributed 5 and 23 runs, respectively.
Ireland’s innings faltered dramatically after reaching 152 runs, losing their sixth wicket at a score of 198. The lower-order batsmen struggled against Afghanistan’s bowlers, with the team losing their last five wickets for just 10 runs in 25 balls, ultimately finishing at 207 runs.
Rashid Khan was the standout bowler for Afghanistan, claiming 6 wickets. Azmatullah Omarzai took 2 wickets, while Fazalhaq Farooqi added 1 to his tally.
Earlier, Afghanistan, batting first after losing the toss, scored 299 runs for 8 wickets in 47 overs. Gurbaz contributed 32 runs, while Atal made 45. Ibrahim Zadran was the top scorer with 84 runs off 97 balls, hitting 2 sixes and 8 fours. Captain Rahmat Shah scored 30, Azmatullah Omarzai added 33, and former captain Hashmatullah Shahidi made a quick 36 runs off 21 balls.
For Ireland, Mark Adair and Jay Mundra each took 2 wickets, while Gavin, Curtis Campher, and Harry Tector claimed 1 wicket each.
Due to rain, the match was reduced to 47 overs instead of the usual 50. With this victory, Afghanistan leads the series 1-0, as the first match was washed out due to rain.
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