Rashid claims six as Afghanistan outclass Ireland to take series lead

Afghanistan clinched a convincing 92-run win in the second ODI against Ireland at the Bready Cricket Club on Friday, August 8. After the first ODI was abandoned without a toss because of rain, the start of this fixture was delayed too due to inclement weather and was reduced to 47 overs-a-side. Led by Ibrahim Zadran, Afghanistan posted 299 for 8 before a six-wicket haul from Rashid Khan saw Ireland bundled out for 207 in 33.4 overs. Opting to bowl first in overcast conditions, Ireland’s bowlers found movement with the new ball. Mark Adair began by bowling a maiden and followed it up with a three-run over but his partner Jai Moondra came under fire early courtesy Rahmanullah Gurbaz. The left-arm seamer proved to be expensive, overstepping twice and conceding four boundaries in his opening two overs. His third over started poorly too with Gurbaz launching him for a six followed by a four but Moondra would have the last laugh as Gurbaz holed out two balls later attempting another attacking shot. Sediqullah Atal sustained the momentum with Moondra continuing to prove expensive in his opening spell. Afghanistan reached 65 for 1 at the end of the Powerplay and while the scoring rate dipped thereafter, a 116-run stand between Ibrahim and Atal put them in command. Ibrahim, who had started slowly, assumed the aggressor’s role following the Powerplay and brought up a 52-ball fifty in the 19th over. The partnership ended in the 25th over, with Atal falling to Harry Tector against the run of play. Ireland managed to string together a few tight overs but a 43-run stand between captain Rahmat Shah and Ibrahim kept Afghanistan going. Both then fell in the space of two overs - Ibrahim trying to attack Curtis Campher in the 34th and Rahmat holing out to Gavin Hoey in the 36th - but another brisk 43-run partnership between Azmatullah Omarzai and Darwish Rasooli ensured that the visitors remained on course. It was only towards the death that Ireland managed to regain some control with a flurry of wickets as Afghanistan lost three wickets for 21 runs. Still, an aggressive yet measured 21-ball 36 from Hashmatullah Shahidi, including four boundaries in the last two overs, ensured that the visitors finished strong. In reply, Ireland started well despite losing Paul Stirling and matched Afghanistan's Powerplay score of 65 for 1. Andy Balbirnie looked fluent at the crease and was quick to pounce on any width that was on offer. Playing just his fourth ODI, Cade Carmichael took the attack to Afghanistan by smashing Saleem Safi for 21 runs in the 14th over. It did not, however, prove to be the catalyst that Ireland needed to seize the momentum as Rashid Khan struck twice in quick succession to remove Balbirnie and Tector. Lorcan Tucker and Carmichael attempted a rebuild while the latter brought up his maiden ODI fifty off 44 balls. The 38-run stand was severed by a moment of misfortune for Tucker as he was run-out after losing track of the ball during an appeal for LBW. Carmichael then fell in the very next over leaving Ireland on 152 for 5. Ben Calitz and Curtis Campher then mounted a surprise assault, smashing 41 runs off the next three overs, including five fours and two sixes, but it was put to an end by Rashid who bowled Calitz. That wicket sparked a dramatic collapse as Ireland lost their last four wickets for just nine runs in four overs. Rashid claimed three of those four wickets to finish with outstanding figures of 6-34 as Afghanistan took the lead in the five-match series. The next ODI will be played on Monday, August 10 at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast. <b>Brief Scores:</b> Afghanistan 299/8 in 47 overs (Ibrahim Zadran 84, Sediqullah Atal 45; Mark Adair 2-40, Jay Moondra 2-78) beat Ireland 207 all-out in 33.4 overs (Cade Carmichael 62, Andy Balbirnie 36; Rashid Khan 6-34) by 92 runs.