A superb all-round performance from Javed Ahmandi was unable to prevent Afghanistan from falling to a three wicket defeat to Ireland at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
Andy Balbirnie (31*) and Alex Cusack (26*) saw Ireland home with 40 balls to spare in a thrilling encounter.
Earlier, Ahmadi made a fine 81 before then taking four Ireland wickets, much to the delight of a fervent Aghanistan support, which ultimately left disappointed but not dispirited.
The match didn’t quite hold the same significance as when the two sides last met in Dubai in the final of the ICC World T20 qualifier, but nonetheless a strong army of Afghan supporters were on hand to cheer their team on.
Much to their delight they were able to witness a stunning catch from Najibullah Zadran right under their noses which sent the whole stand into rapturous delight.
In their innings, the Afghans lost a steady stream of wickets throughout their innings and were unable to build any momentum as they rather limped along to their total of 180 all-out from 44.2 overs.
Ahmandi was their standout performer with the bat, making 81 from 89 deliveries before playing on to Kevin O’Brien.
Ahmandi was ably supported by Zadran (45), the pair putting on 49 for the sixth wicket, but only two other batsmen were able to make double figures.
George Dockrell did the majority of the damage for Ireland, taking home figures of 4-35 in 8.2 overs. The Somerset slow left-armer was dangerous throughout on a slow, turning wicket at Dubai International Stadium.
John Mooney also picked up two wickets for the Irish, with O’Brien, Balbirnie, Cusack and Craig Young picking up a wicket apiece.
Ireland’s reply got off to a slow start and they found themselves 29-3 inside 10 overs as Afghanistan skipper Mohammad Nabi went on the attack with aggressive field placings in an attempt to take early wickets.
Niall O’Brien and Ed Joyce settled the ship with a 40-run partnership for the fourth wicket before the former tamely cut straight to backward point off the bowling of Ahmadi for 22.
Less than four an over was required from there on out, Ireland still in pole position to ease to victory.
Joyce seemed to be easing his side home alongside Kevin O’Brien but he failed to see the game out, chipping a simple catch to cover after making a measured 51 off 67.
Ahmadi then turned the game on its head with two wickets in an over. O’Brien was first to fall after making a well crafted 30 before Mooney was trapped lbw just two balls later, leaving Ireland 52 runs short and seven down at the end of the 31st over.
Balbirnie and Cusack held their nerve however, steering their team to safety in a fine show of nerve and character.
