Led by an all-round show from their star man Rashid Khan, Afghanistan secured a 109-run win over Ireland in the fourth ODI to go 2-1 up in the five-match series at Dehradun.
Rashid, Mohammad Nabi and Asghar Afghan struck half-centuries as Afghanistan posted 223 runs after being made to bat first on Friday. In reply, Ireland were bundled out for just 114 runs with Aftab Alam picking up a four-wicket haul while Rashid chipped in with two wickets.
Asghar Afghan was the only top-order Afghanistan batsman to prosper in the fourth ODI with the skipper scoring 54 runs in a 70-ball knock. Wickets kept tumbling around the skipper as Afghanistan were reduced to 81-6 by an upbeat Ireland.
However, the hosts fought back valiantly with the bat with Rashid and Nabi shoring up the lower-order following Asghar Afghan’s dismissal.
The pair added 86 runs between themselves for the eighth wicket to lead Afghanistan’s recovery as they marched on to their respective half-centuries. Rashid was dismissed on 52 while Nabi’s innings ended at 64 before Afghanistan were bowled out in the 50th over.
A battling half-century from the Afghanistan skipper.
In response, Ireland’s chase never got going with pacer Aftab Alam striking early. Alam dismissed Ireland skipper William Porterfield and danger man Kevin O’Brien early into the innings while Afghanistan’s spinners created their own stranglehold at the other end.
Rashid and Mujeeb ur Rahman picked up two wickets apiece while Nabi grabbed the final wicket of Boyd Rankin as Ireland’s batting collapsed like a house of cards at Dehradun.
The final ODI between the two sides will be held at Dehradun on Sunday.
BRIEF SCORES
Afghanistan: 223 all out
Mohammad Nabi: 64 (85)
Asghar Afghan: 54 (70)
Rashid Khan: 52 (58)
Ireland: 114 all out
Aftab Alam: 4-25
Rashid Khan: 2-22
