Afghanistan v Ireland, 2nd ODI – Statistical Highlights

The Afghanistan vs Ireland series continued in the same template for the 4th game in a row where Ireland cruised in a big chase before the young Rashid Khan turned the game completely in his team’s favor. After electing to bat, Afghanistan posted a total of 338 with help of a century from their captain Asghar Stanikzai and fifties from Mohammad Shahzad and Rahmat Shah.

Paul Stirling led the charge in the chase following his 6-wicket haul with the ball with a quick 95 as Ireland chased down half the runs by half away stage for the loss of just one wicket. But Rashid’s entry changed the scene of the game completely. His googlies and Dawlat Zadran’s reversing deliveries bundled the Irish side for 304 with the 18-year-old leggie taking 6 wickets. Here we look at all the records, stats and numbers recorded during the game and series.

1 – Rashid Khan picked 6/43 while Paul Stirling took 6/55 in this game. This was the first instance in ODI history where two bowlers picked up a 6-wicket haul in the same ODI.

1 – For the first time in ODI history, both the teams were bowled out after posting 300 plus in the same ODI.

2 – Rashid Khan (18 years 178 days old) became the 2nd youngest to take a 6-wicket haul in ODI cricket. Waqar Younis (18y 164d) was the youngest when he took 6/26 against Sri Lanka in 1990.

2 – Rashid Khan is now the 2nd youngest after Waqar Younis and the youngest spinner to take 4-wicket hauls in consecutive ODI innings in which they bowled. Waqar, at an age of 18y 166d, picked his 2nd consecutive 4-wicket haul. Rashid came into this match aged 18y 178d. Previously the youngest spinner to record this feat was Narendra Hirwani at the age of 19y 166d.

2 – Number of players who were on the losing side after scoring fifty and taking 5-fer in the same ODI including Paul Stirling in this game. Canada’s Sunil Dhaniram scored 79 and took 5/32 against Bermuda in 2008 which Canada lost by 11 runs (D/L).

3 – Number of 4-wicket hauls Rashid has taken in ODI cricket so far, the 2nd most by any player in ODI cricket before turning 19. Waqar Younis has 7 such hauls before turning 19. Ten other bowlers managed to take a 4-wicket haul in ODIs before turning 19.

4 – Number players including Rashid Khan in this game who managed to take a 5-wicket haul in ODI cricket before turning 19. Waqar Younis is the only one to take a 5-fer younger than Rashid in this game.

6 – Number of players including Paul Stirling who scored a fifty and took 6-wicket haul in an ODI. Lance Klusener, Scott Styris, Paul Collingwood, Shahid Afridi and Josh Davey are the other 5.

6/43 – Rashid Khan’s 6/43 are the best bowling figures for an Afghanistan bowler in ODIs. Previous best: 5/32 by Rahmat Shah against UAE in 2014.

6/55 – Paul Stirling’s 6/55 are the best bowling figures for an Ireland bowler in ODIs. Previous best: 5/14 by Trent Johnston against Canada in 2009.

95 – Runs scored by Paul Stirling in this game, the 3rd most by a player in an ODI in which they took a 5-wicket haul. Only Paul Collingwood and Viv Richards managed to score a century and take a 5-wicket haul in the same ODI.

101 – Runs scored by Asghar Stanikzai in this game, his first century in ODI cricket. This was the first ODI century by an Afghanistan captain as well.

338 – Afghanistan’s total of 338 is their highest ODI score. Their previous highest was 302/5 vs UAE in 2014.