3rd T20I, Sharjah, March 18, 2024, 09:30 PM
Afghanistan
155/7(20.0ov)
Ireland
98/10(17.2ov)
Afghanistan beat Ireland by 57 runs
Right then, that is it from the final game of this 3-match T20I series as Afghanistan wins this by 57 runs and clinches the series 2-1. Cricketing actions continue from around the globe and all you need to do is switch tabs and you can find out more cricketing action. Until next time, stay safe and enjoy your time.
Rashid Khan the skipper of Afghanistan is also the PLAYER OF THE SERIES for his stellar show with both bat and the ball. He says he is very happy to be on the winning side and it has been a fresh start for him after the injury. Mentions that the youngsters absorbed the pressure and delivered well. Adds that Cricket is more about enjoyment and it is necessary to give that free hand to the youngsters to perform well and the future looks bright for Afghanistan Cricket. Concludes that the preparation for the World Cup has been good and they are mentally and physically in a good space to enter the big tournament.
The losing skipper of Ireland Paul Stirling says they were slightly off a bit and they are disappointed with the defeat. Adds that the target wasn't much but a couple of brilliant spells from the Afghan bowlers put them on the back foot. Mentions they have to pick the players and back them and they are exactly going to do that. Closes by saying that victory in the Test match was special on this tour and they are looking forward to the next series now.
Ibrahim Zadran is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his unbeaten knock of 72 runs off 51 balls. He says he is very happy with his performance in this game after not having two good games. Adds that Ireland played really well in the first game and his team came back stronger and he wanted to contribute. Mentions that he tries to enjoy and adjust to the change in format quickly. States that they will look to prepare well and cover the areas of improvement for the upcoming World Cup.
Stay tuned for the presentation ceremony...
Earlier in the game, after electing to bat first, Afghanistan were off to a shaky start yet again as poor run for Rahmanullah Gurbaz continued and he was dismissed early on. Thew side lost three wicket for just 48 but a solid fourth wicket partnership of 54 between Ibrahim Zadran and Mohammad Ishaq steadied things for Afghanistan. Wickets kept tumbling on the other end but Ibrahim Zadran continued his good work and made sure the side scored above 150. Ibrahim Zadran was the top scorer for them as he stayed not out at 72. Mohammad Ishaq and Sediqullah Atal got starts but failed to go big. For Ireland, the bowling was nice and tidy with every bowler used chipping in with a wicket each.
The bowling from Afghanistan was brilliant inside the powerplay as they nailed their plans. The conditions were favoring the seamers and Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi made the ball talk the best way. Azmatullah Omarzai backed up his opening bowlers and picked up a couple in the middle phase giving away next to nothing. Azmatullah Omarzai was the pick of the bowlers as he picked up 4 and gave away just 9 runs off his 4 overs. Naveen-ul-Haq picked up three while Fazalhaq Farooqi and Nangeyalia Kharote also took one. Rashid Khan once again was economical and also picked up one.
Chasing down a tricky total Ireland were off to a poor start as they lost the top three in a jiffy. Paul Stirling, Andy Balbirnie and Lorcan Tucker departed without any significant contributions with the bat. Harry Tector along with Curtis Campher tried well and put up a 24-run partnership for the fourth wicket but that was broken with the dismissal of Harry Tector and George Dockrell couldn't do much either. The sixth wicket partnership between Gareth Delany and Curtis Campher brought some hopes back for Ireland as they scored 36 off just 19 deliveries but the target was too big for the batters down the order. Gareth Delany batted well and fought hard for his side as he scored 21. Curtis Campher looked good for his 28. Other batters just couldn't get going and that cost them the series.
Brilliance with the bat from Ibrahim Zadran backed up by a solid bowling performance from the Afghan bowlers has helped Afghanistan win this game by 57 runs. After trailing 0-1, Afghanistan now clinches the series 2-1.
In over# 18
0W
1lb
Naveen-ul-Haq 10/3(2.2)
17.2
W
OUT! TIMBER! Naveen-ul-Haq finishes things off with his third wicket. Afghanistan win by 57 runs. Hurls this on a fuller length, on middle and leg, Ben White stays back and looks to play it across the line but misses. The ball zips past the bat and rattles the leg stump. Afghanistan seal the series 2-1.
17.1
1lb
LEG BYES! Bangs it shorter and angles it in on middle and off, Joshua Little looks for the pull but misses. The ball hits him high on the back and trickles to fine leg for a single.
In over# 17
1
1
1
1lb
0
0W
Rashid Khan 12/1(4)
16.6
1
Flights this one fuller on middle and leg, Joshua Little mistimes his slog sweep to deep mid-wicket for a single.
16.5
1
A tad shorter on middle and leg, Ben White tucks it to square leg for a single.
16.4
1
Fuller on middle, Joshua Little works it to mid-wicket for a single.
16.3
1lb
LEG BYES! Bowls this fuller and outside off, Ben White gets across the line and looks to sweep but fails to get any bat. The ball trickles off his boots tot he leg side and the batters cross.
16.2
.
Fuller on off, Ben White blocks it back to the bowler.
Ben White walks out last to bat.