Afghanistan Clinches Series: Rashid Takes 5, Gurbaz Scores Ton
Afghanistan sealed a 3-2 series victory over Ireland in a thrilling final T20I at the Civil Cricket Ground in Abu Dhabi on Friday. The hosts were led to a comfortable 7-wicket victory by a brilliant century from opener Ibrahim Zadran and a five-wicket haul by spin maestro Rashid Khan.
Ireland, who needed to win to level the series, were bowled out for just 137 in 18.5 overs. The Irish batting faltered against Rashid's masterful spin bowling, as he claimed 5/26 to dismantle the middle order. Rashid's performance also made him the first Afghan bowler to take 100 wickets in T20Is.
Gurbaz Sets the Tone
Earlier, Ireland had won the toss and elected to bat first. The decision backfired as Afghanistan's bowlers, particularly Fazalhaq Farooqi, kept things tight early on. Farooqi struck in the second over, dismissing Paul Stirling for a duck.
The Irish innings was then built around a fighting knock of 52 by captain Andrew Balbirnie. Balbirnie shared a crucial 49-run partnership with Harry Tector before falling to a brilliant diving catch by Azmatullah Omarzai. However, the rest of the Irish batting failed to capitalize, with Rashid Khan wreaking havoc in the middle overs.
Zadran Leads the Chase
Chasing a modest target of 138, Afghanistan were off to a flying start thanks to a blistering century from Ibrahim Zadran. Zadran reached his maiden T20I century off just 59 balls, smashing 12 fours and 4 sixes in the process. He was well supported by Mohammad Nabi, who contributed a crucial 32 runs.
The duo put on a 101-run partnership for the second wicket, effectively putting the game beyond Ireland's reach. Afghanistan reached the target with 21 balls to spare, securing their first ever T20I series win over Ireland.
This win is a significant boost for Afghanistan's T20I ranking, as they continue to make strides in the format. The team now moves to eighth place in the ICC T20I rankings, further strengthening their position as a rising force in international cricket.
Here are some key takeaways from the match:
- Rashid Khan's dominance with the ball was the key to Afghanistan's victory. His five-wicket haul made him the first Afghan bowler to reach 100 T20I wickets.
- Ibrahim Zadran's century was a match-winning knock, showcasing his incredible talent and power hitting.
- Ireland's batting faltered against Afghanistan's spin attack. The Irish team will need to improve their ability to handle spin if they want to achieve success in future matches.
This series victory is a testament to Afghanistan's growing strength in the T20I format. The team's performance in Abu Dhabi has further cemented their position as a force to be reckoned with in international cricket.
