Twitter Reactions: Ireland keep series alive with hard fought victory

Ireland kept their hopes alive in the 5 match ODI series against Afghanistan by winning the penultimate encounter by 3 wickets to level the 5 match series 1-1. Afghanistan captain Asghar Stanikzai won the toss and opted to bat. The Asian minnows got off to the worst possible start losing their top 3 in the first 5 overs.

Kevin O’Brien was simply brilliant with his medium pacers and finished with exceptional figures of 4/26 in 7 overs. Jacob Mulder also bagged 3 wickets each as Afghanistan was tottering at 83/7 in the 24th over. The lower order led a dramatic comeback for Afghanistan Mohammad Nabi, Shafiqullah Shafiq and Dawlat Zadran who chipped in with valuable contributions.

While Nabi and Zadran scored 41 each, Shafiq chipped in with a well composed 42 which enabled them to post a competitive 220 on the board at the end of their allotted 50 overs. Andy McBrine was the other wicket taker for the Irish side as he chipped in with a couple of wickets.

Chasing the moderate target, Ireland openers William Porterfield and Paul Stirling got them off to a solid start. The duo shared a 48 runs partnership for the opening wicket which laid the foundation for a successful run chase. There was a mid-innings collapse as Ireland was reduced to 59/3 after being 49/0 at one stage.  Andrew Balbirnie

Kevin O’Brien who was brilliant with the ball in hand continued to impress even with the bat in hand. Along with Andrew Balbirnie, the duo shared 42 runs stand for the 5th wicket which again got them back on track.

Eventually, the 7th wicket partnership with O’Brien and Gary Wilson turned out to be the match-winning one as the Irish side reached the target with 3 overs to spare. O’Brien struck 8 fours and 2 sixes during his unbeaten innings of 72 which came in 60 deliveries. Wilson, on the other hand, played himself in and scored 41 which helped Ireland overhaul Afghanistan’s target.

Twitterati was active throughout the match and there were certain tweets which described the proceedings in the best possible manner. Here are some of the best tweets from the 4th ODI.

All square! Ireland hold their nerve to win the 4th #AfgvIre ODI by 3 wickets and level the series 2-2: https://t.co/S0oJw08Lsu pic.twitter.com/ALldyhTiop

— ICC (@ICC) March 22, 2017

The bowling performance of Team AFG was below the par. Congratulations Team Ireland for the hard-fought victory. #AFGvIRE

— Sultan Burhan (@SultanBurhan21) March 22, 2017

Is Shazad ever going to get pulled up for his ridiculous appealing? I would say he appeals at least 3 times an over, all ridiculous #AFGvIRE

— Kevin James (@KevJames27) March 22, 2017

Ireland win by 3 wickets! ?Well played @KevinOBrien113 with 4 wickets and 72* ? Match report to follow #BackingGreen ☘️

— Cricket Ireland (@Irelandcricket) March 22, 2017

Even if Afghanistan wins the next ODI, they will still loose 1 point in the ICC ODI ranking table bringing them down to 52 from 53. #AFGvIRE

— Afghan Sports (@SportsAF) March 22, 2017

#AFGvIRE Stupid Afghanis don't realise that Daulat Zadran & Rashid Khan should be used to attack. They keep them for final overs. WTF!?

— Dr Danish (@MrDanny3) March 22, 2017

Nabi taken out of attack after bowling 8 overs, was when Ireland started the comeback. Proved to be wrong move by the captain. ? #AFGvIRE

— Yash (@ghum_huye) March 22, 2017

Ireland won by 3 wickets and level the series 2-2

Kevin O'Brien 72* (60) and 4/26

Final will be played on Friday #AFGvIRE

— The Art of Leaving (@TheYorkerBall) March 22, 2017

Well played @KevinOBrien113 @Irelandcricket. A match winning 72 not out to follow the 4 wickets earlier. Series level 2-2 #AFGvIRE.

— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) March 22, 2017

Solid all round effort today by @KevinOBrien113. Hopefully not too injured & will be right for next week. #AFGvIRE

— Larry Leprechaun (@LarryLeprechau) March 22, 2017

So Stanikzai likes to have a chat of a chat eh? Looking forward to my banter with him next week then. #AFGvIRE

— Larry Leprechaun (@LarryLeprechau) March 22, 2017

Such an instrumental cricketer this Kevin O'Brian is. Intelligent with the ball and equally smart with the bat. #AFGvIRE

— Mati Ur Rahman (@Matisayz) March 22, 2017

@sadaat_sahar The best part about the game is shahzad shouting ..He keeps telling rashid we just need one wicket

— Tech Beast (@Mansoorblaze) March 22, 2017

Hamza Hotak worse bowler ever but he still balls in critical situation #AFGvIRE 77 required from 96 balls #Afghansitan #Cricket

— mzStanikzai (@mzStanikzai) March 22, 2017

Asghar brought Rashid on 26th over… which type of captaincy would it be? #AFGvIRE batsman are all in form and you save your best bowler?

— mzStanikzai (@mzStanikzai) March 22, 2017

Excellent bowling my @MohammadNabi007, but very poor captaincy by Stanikzai.

— Zia Wahaj (@WahajZia) March 22, 2017

Seam and filthy part time spin. What is Stanikzai doing????

— Liam Birch ? (@Birchola) March 22, 2017

WHere the fuck is the little wizard !!! Come on Stanikzai, stop being as shit a captain as Kohli

— Rohit (@RKM79) March 22, 2017