Looks like a big win, no doubt. As cricket fans, we have to be patient with the Irish they are newcomers from an European based country and their “A” team to be tested in Middle Eastern conditions that too by tournament favourites Afghanistan in their adopted home base for an inexperienced cricket country is no easy task for the young Irish who like what renowned international cricket commentator Roshan Abeysinghe stated on commentary nothing to be ashamed of but thankful for the opportunity given that tournaments like this will improve the players skill levels and build insight knowledge of playing in alien conditions.
The Irish got off to a decent start batting first as Stephen Doheny and Cade Camichael, the Ireland openers, stitched a partnership of 52 runs for the first wicket against quality bowling before Cade Camichael was caught and bowled for 18 with Afghanistan getting the early breakthrough.
Sadly, the inexperienced factor crept into the Irish batting cordon as a top order cluster of wickets was lost that saw them struggle on 74 for 4 wickets, fair to state a gateway that Afghanistan took advantage of.
Pertinent point is top scorer for Ireland, Christopher De Fratus kept his calm and batted alongside number 6 batter Jordan Neil and the pair got back somewhat with the score on 136, but Zadran struck for Afghanistan when he had Jordan Neil caught by wicket keeper Alikhol for 27 hence, it was back in the woods for the Irish with wicket number 5 being recorded with the total on 136.
Ireland has a bit of batting in the middle muddle, Ross Adair joined Christopher de Fratus at the wickets, and the pair started heading out the woods with Ireland on 175 runs on the scoreboard but Malik the parttime Afghanistan bowler bowled the inform Christopher de Fratus for 64 and the floodgate opened for another cluster exhibition of wickets with the Irish losing 4 of them for the addition of only 28 runs to be bowled out for 203 in the 42nd over.
Qais Ahmed took 3 for 34, Sharafudin Ashraf 2 for 47, and Farmanulla chipped in with 2 for 37. The all-around bowling effort of Afghanistan was good, Mallik , Khaleel Ahmed Naveed Zadran took a wicket each.
204 as a target for Afghanistan in home conditions is within their reach since they are flooded with experience.
They lost opener Malik for 10 with the total on 34, but Zubaid Akbari 76, Sadiqulla Atak 52, with Darwish Rasooli unbeaten on 33 and Ikram Akmal unbeaten on 25 saw the home team win in the 32nd over by 7 wickets as they reached the target of 203 with minimum effort.
Fall of wickets for Afghanistan 1 for 34, 2 for 127, and 3 for 162.
Tomorrow, Sri Lanka plays Afghanistan, and this will be a keen contest based on the fact that Afghanistan, who lost the previous game against the visitors, will come guns blazing.