Afghanistan beat hosts Ireland by 16 runs in the first T20 of the three-match series at Bready on Monday.
Young Hazratullah Zazai was the star of the show for the Afghans with the opening batsman smashing 74 from just 33 balls with the help of eight boundaries and six sixes.
In a game reduced to 18 overs per side, due to a rain delay, Afghanistan posted 160-7 after being made to bat first by Ireland skipper Gary Wilson.
They were given a sensational start by Zazai and Mohammad Shahzad who added 87 runs for the first wicket. The former was in belligerent mood as the racked up 74 of the 87 runs in the partnership before being dismissed by Simi Singh.
The 20-year-old batsman brought up his half-century off just 22 deliveries as more than 80 runs came off the first seven overs of the innings.
The visitors’ batting collapsed towards the end of the innings as five wickets fells for just nine runs but Zazai’s show had ensured the Afghanistan would pose a daunting total. 18-year-old spinner Joshua Little was the pick of the bowlers for Ireland with impressive figures of 2-20 from his four overs.
WICKET! Josh Little strikes again - Asghar Afghan gone for 31. @ACBofficials now 152-4 in the 15th over. #BackingGreen pic.twitter.com/YF5YDsWtDc
— Cricket Ireland (@Irelandcricket) August 20, 2018
In reply, Ireland never got going with spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman picking up the wickets of Stuart Thompson and William Porterfield with the new ball.
Paul Stirling (27) and Wilson (34) put up a brief fight but a three-wicket haul for ace leg-spinner Rashid Khan put the brakes on Ireland’s innings as Afghanistan completed a comfortable win.
The second T20 between the two sides will also take place at the Bready Cricket Club on Wednesday.
BRIEF SCORES
Afghanistan: 160-7 (18 overs)
Hazratullah Zazai: 74 (33)
Joshua Little: 2-20 (4 overs)
Ireland: 144-9 (18 overs)
Gary Wilson: 34 (23)
Rashid Khan: 3-35 (4 overs)
