AFG vs IRE 3rd ODI Review: Ireland register first win in the series

The associate nations are keeping themselves busy by playing each other and helping each other develop. Afghanistan and Ireland are currently locking horns in an ODI series in Greater Noida. After being whitewashed in the T20I series Ireland hoped for a better performance in the 50 overs leg but that was not the case to be.

Afghanistan certainly were the better team in the first two ODIs and beat the Irish side quite comfortably. The third match was a different story as Ireland came out with intent and bowled beautifully to take the Afghans by surprise. They were right on the money with the ball as Peter Chase and Tim Murtagh set the tone.

At one stage, Afghanistan were struggling at 97 for 6 but just then Gulbadin Naib and Rashid Khan came to the rescue and stitched a fantastic 96-run partnership to take them out of misery. They eventually posted a competitive total of 264 for 8 with the leg-spinner Rashid and Naib scoring fifties. Peter Chase and Time Murtagh both grabbed two wickets each while George Dockrell and Andy McBrine snatched a wicket each.

The Irish came out with a fantastic approach in the chase. Even after losing two quick wickets they did not panic unlike the previous contests and continued their run chase. It was Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie who took Ireland closer to the target. Paul was unlucky to not get a century as he was bowled by Mohammad Nabi while Balbirnie remained not out on 85.

Naill O’Brien the 2011 World Cup star scored a handy 30 as Gary Wilson finished the match off with a run a ball 28. This saw Ireland take the game with six wickets in hand and 9 balls to spare. This was a welcome victory for Ireland as they are back in the five-match series. Having lost the previous two this one was a do or die match for them and they have fought back with vigor.

The next match will be played three days later at the same venue in Greater Noida.

Brief Score:

Afghanistan: 264/8 50 Overs (R Khan 56, G Naib 61, Chase 2/55, Murtagh 2/49)

Ireland: 265/4 48.3 Overs (Stirling 99, Balbirnie 85, Zadran 2/52)