Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan once again showed his class as Afghanistan registered a three-wicket victory over Ireland to open up a 2-0 series lead in the five-game series.
Rashid collected three wickets to help restrict Ireland to just 206 and successfully guided the run chase home with an unbeaten 37 as Afghanistan reached the victory target with more than five overs remaining.
It came on the back of a six-wicket haul for Rashid in the second match of the series, with the right-armer continuing his good form with the ball ahead of next year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
Ireland youngster Gavin Hoey almost played a lone role for the hosts as he top-scored with 36 and then picked up four wickets late in proceedings to give the home side some hope, but Rashid used all his experience to ensure Afghanistan got the victory.Hoey’s haul of 4/34 was his best in ODI cricket and the spinner suggested he gained some inspiration from Rashid when at the bowling crease.
“He (Rashid) just said, ‘Well bowled’. He’s a serious competitor and he’s somebody I’ve looked at a lot and tried to emulate as much as I can, even though we’re very different bowlers,” Hoey said.
“He’s a very nice guy as well and I’m sure we’ll have a chat after the series.”
Series schedule:
First ODI: Match Abandoned
Second ODI: Afghanistan won by 92 runs
Third ODI: Afghanistan won by three wickets
Fourth ODI: August 12, Stormont
Fifth ODI: August 15, Stormont