The Afghan National Cricket Team will face Ireland today, December 7, in the second One Day International (ODI) match in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE), after they thrashed their rival by 138 runs in the three-match series.

Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Zadran, the 16-year-old off-spinner of the national team, was the chief architect of the victory, returning magnificent figures of 4 for 24 in his 10 overs. 

Nasir Jamal and Rahmat Shah notched half centuries to lead their team to 238-9 in their 50 overs after they were put in to bat by Ireland, while Rashid Khan added 48.

 “I want to be a good bowler in the future like Suhail Narain and Ravichandran Ashwin. I will do my best even to be better than them in the cricket world,” Zadran told TOLOnews before the match.

Meanwhile, Asghar Stanikzai, Captain of the team said: “That was our first match and we will try to be the same in other matches.”

Rashid Khan who also shined well for the team in the first ODI match against Ireland said: “When I started the cricket I was a batsman. I always trust my abilities and I am trying hard and our coach is also working hard.”

“They (his teammates) ask me to believe in my abilities and I am doing this and we are getting good results,” he said.

The second ODI will started Thursday at about 3:00pm Kabul time.