Afghanistan secured a commanding victory over Ireland in the third one-day international (ODI) Tuesday, defeating them by 117 runs to claim a 2-0 series win in the three-match series in Sharjah.
Mohammad Nabi starred in Afghanistan’s triumph, contributing a crucial 48 runs before showcasing his prowess with the ball to take five wickets. His all-around performance was instrumental in guiding Afghanistan to victory.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz again provided a solid start for Afghanistan, scoring 51 off 53 balls before falling to spinner Andy McBrine. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi anchored the innings with a steady 69, ensuring Afghanistan posted a competitive total despite some resistance from the Irish bowlers in the final overs.
In response, Ireland faltered early, losing opener Andy Balbirnie cheaply. Although captain Paul Stirling provided some resistance with a half-century, Ireland struggled to maintain momentum as wickets fell at regular intervals.
Nabi’s spin proved to be the undoing of the Irish batting lineup, as he dismissed key batsmen and claimed his first-ever five-wicket haul in ODIs. Debutant Nangeyalia Kharote also made significant contributions, taking crucial wickets to further dent Ireland’s chances.
Following the ODI series, both teams will continue their contest in the Twenty20 format with three matches scheduled in Sharjah on March 15, 17, and 18. Despite Ireland’s victory in the preceding one-off Test match, Afghanistan’s commanding performance in the ODIs underscores their strength in limited-overs cricket.
