Afghanistan 155 for 7 (Ibrahim 72*, Ishaq 27) beat Eire 98 (Campher 28, Omarzai 4-9, Naveen 3-10) by 57 runs
Sloppy Delany throughout
Ibrahim was on 10 when Delany dropped a easy catch off Campher within the sixth over. Positioned at deep sq. leg, he did not transfer as a lot ahead as he ought to have even whereas retaining his eyes on the skier.
When Delany got here on to bowl the seventh over, he failed to accumulate a throw from brief third, and allowed Sediqullah Atal an additional run. Subsequent over, Delany dropped a troublesome catch of Omarzai after turning round and working ahead from level off Campher once more. However on 1 at that time, Omarzai fell for 3 simply two balls after. Then there was one other misfield from Delany within the ninth over.
As if that was not sufficient, Eire confronted extra misfortune – precisely like within the first T20I. Ben White had Mohammad Ishaq caught at deep midwicket within the thirteenth over, however the umpire dominated it to be a no-ball whilst replays indicated that the heel, which was the primary level of influence, had landed simply behind the road. Ishaq was on 15 on the time, and went on to rating 27, earlier than an excellent catch by Paul Stirling off White had him caught within the fifteenth over.
Ibrahim powers Afghanistan
Coming into this recreation, Ibrahim’s T20I strike charge was simply in need of 105. However on Monday night time, be scored his runs at 141. He had hit just one 4 in a sedate begin earlier than he was dropped, as he managed simply 12 from his first 13 balls. However his subsequent 38 deliveries noticed him smash 60.
Ibrahim saved discovering the occasional boundary through the fourth-wicket stand of 54 with Ishaq, whereas additionally ticking over singles and twos. He pulled and slog swept off White, and drilled Josh Little to further cowl after making room. However Ibrahim reserved two trendy pictures for Mark Adair, whom he swatted extensive over long-off for six, and scooped over brief wonderful for 4 within the 18th over.
Naveen units the tone in powerplay
Bowling the second over, Naveen’s first ball noticed huge seam motion and further bounce. The ball landed on a great size on sixth stump, however went on to hit the highest of Andy Balbirnie’s leg stump. His second ball swung properly in to bowl Lorcan Tucker for a golden duck. Fittingly, Naveen additionally cleaned White up to finish Eire’s innings for 98, this time foxing the batter with a slower ball.
Omarzai chips in with the ball
Omarzai got here into the sport after successive first-ball dismissals, and ended the series with solely three runs to his identify. However he received going with the ball. Transferring one away from Tector, he had the batter caught at deep midwicket within the eighth over, earlier than Eire threatened to rebuild. Within the tenth over, Omarzai noticed George Dockrell’s entrance leg was out of the way in which, and adopted him by angling one in. Dockrell additionally ended up discovering deep midwicket, the place Naveen took his second catch.
With the sport all however accomplished, Omarzai had Adair chopping on earlier than taking a return catch of Barry McCarthy – each within the sixteenth over. Whereas the slowness of the pitch had Adair pulling early, Omarzai noticed McCarthy skipping down, and went brief to cramp him for room. A cushty take to his left gave him 4 wickets, and Afghanistan the match.
Himanshu Agrawal is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo
