Ireland registers their first T20I win of the season after putting up a strong performance against Afghanistan. Though Ireland has lost back-to-back series against New Zealand and South Africa they kept their momentum going and chased down 169 to register a 7-wicket victory.
Skipper Andrew Balbirnie and Lorcan Tucker scored fifties each to power the Irish to a stellar win.
Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat first. The visitors had a decent start but lost both their openers before reaching 100. Usman Ghani was the star player for Afghanistan after scoring a fine fifty.
However, Ireland made a comeback into the game by scalping 5 quick wickets. Ibrahim Zadran scored a quick firing 27-run knock to help Afghanistan register a decent score to chase.
Ireland began their run chase on a fine note. Paul Stirling scored 31 while skipper Andy Balbirnie scored a magnificent fifty. Balbirnie was then joined by keeper Lorcan Tucker who accompanied yet another fifty to pile heavy pressure on the visitors and kept the run chase under their belt.
Harry Tector and Geroge Dockrell applied the finishing touches to the run chase to seal the tie as Ireland won the first t20I game of the year.
Afghanistan’s total of 168-7 had been boosted by 30 runs off the final two overs, with Ibrahim Zadran clubbing 29 not out off 18 balls. But Ireland openers Paul Stirling (31 off 29 balls) and skipper Andrew Balbirnie (51 off 38) set their side on their way, putting on 61 off 7.3 overs for the first wicket.
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