The National Cricket Team has defeated Ireland in the 3rd T20I and won the series 3-0 at Greater Noida in India on Sunday.
With the series already done and dusted, Afghanistan did not show any mercy for Ireland to post 233 for 8 in 20 overs in the third and final T20I. Having already pocketed the three-match series convincingly, Afghanistan will look to extend their unbeaten streak to 11 when they come out to bowl.
Ireland would have had to bat out of their skins to salvage some pride in the series and earn a consolation win. Opting to field, William Porterfield’s bowling attack remained rusty. Mohammad Shahzad blasted three fours in the first over to make his intentions clear. He lost his partner Najeeb Tarakai for 1 but continued to play attacking cricket. Usman Gir got his first chance in the series and stitched together a brief stand with Shahzad.
The 233/8 was Afghanistan’s highest score in T20Is and versus Ireland. They are hot favorites to whitewash the series after this display.
O’Brien took a 4-for whereas Jacob Mulder earned a 2-for but still had no answers to Afghanistan’s blitz with the long handle.
Ireland have already lost their last 4 matches against Afghanistan and will be hoping for the likes of Paul Stirling, Thompson, Porterfield and O’Brien to come good and not display another meek surrender against Rashid Khan and co.
A spirited fight is what Ireland has almost always provided. Today was no different. They showed spark and scrap to get past 200, but in the end, they had conceded just too many runs.
Afghanistan, in truth, were appalling in the power-play, but fought back nicely thereafter to thrash Ireland 3-0 in the T20I series.
This match, thus, was only being of academic interest. However, it will be far from being a dead rubber. The quality of cricket being played in this series has been exceptional.
While Afghanistan chased down 166 runs in the first game in 18 overs, the second rain-curtailed fixture saw the bowlers coming to the party. Rashid Khan (2-1-3-5) registered best figures by an Associate bowler in his side’s 17-run win.
On the batting front, Najeeb Tarakai has had a brilliant run in the two games thus far. He scored 27 off 15 balls in the first game before going on to hammer 90 off 58 ball in the second game. In the third game to the young opener will look to make the most of his purple patch.
At the end of the match, the ICC congratulated Afghanistan on its remarkable form in the T20Is.
Squads:
Afghanistan: Mohammad Shahzad (c & wk), Fareed Ahmed, Aftab Alam, Usman Ghani, Hamza Hotak, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Shafiqullah Shafaq, Samiullah Shenwari, Najeeb Tarakai, Dawlat Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Shapoor Zadran, Afsar Zazai.
Ireland: William Porterfield (c), George Dockrell, Joshua Little, Jacob Mulder, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Kevin O’Brien, Boyd Rankin, Paul Stirling, Greg Thompson, Stuart Thompson, Lorcan Tucker, Gary Wilson (wk), Craig Young.