1st ODI, Abu Dhabi, January 21, 2021, 11:30 AM
Afghanistan
287/9(50.0ov)
Ireland
271/9(50.0ov)
Afghanistan beat Ireland by 16 runs
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Commentry
That is it from this game! The second ODI between Afghanistan and Ireland will be played on Sunday, January 24, 2021. Do join us for that at 1000 local (0600 GMT). Till then, take care and cheers!
Asghar Afghan, Afghanistan skipper, says that he is happy with the team's performance. Credits Gurbaz for his debut hundred. Mentions that he himself played a poor shot. Afghan says that Rashid's innings was the turning point in the match and he took the responsibility on finishing the innings well.
Andy Balbirnie, Irish skipper, says that he is disappointed with the team's performance. Adds that Tucker batted well but it was too much for him. Mentions that they got starts but nobody converted it. Balbirnie says that they lost wickets at regular intervals. Further says they will look to improve in the next game and do well.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz is named the Man of the Match. He is happy on receiving the Man of the Match award. Gurbaz says that that he is very pleased with the his performance. Adds that he was looking to put away the bad balls and he played very well.
Earlier, in the game, Afghanistan posted a huge score on the wicket courtesy, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rashid Khan. Gurbaz scored a fine century on debut while Rashid ended it brilliantly. Ireland tried hard with the ball but they will be disappointed with their effort at the start and towards the end. In the end, 287 was enough for Afghanistan.
The batting from Ireland was not so good. They lost their two wickets quickly. Paul Stirling stuck around for a while but did not last long. Yes, Curtis Campher and Lorcan Tucker tried very hard and stitched a wonderful partnership but once Campher fell, it was always going to be difficult. Tucker got to his fifty and with partners running out, he went for the shots and perished and from there, it was always going to be difficult. They would hope to make a strong comeback in the next game.
Afghanistan started brilliantly with the ball. Naveen-ul-Haq picked up the starting two wickets to peg Ireland back and they did not look back. Yes, Ireland did give them a fight in the middle overs but the win for Ireland was always on the cards. Once Campher fell, Afghanistan picked up regular wickets and they have won quite comfortably. Mujeeb had a good game while Nabi and Rashid contributed as well but the pick of the bowlers was Naveen-ul-Haq. Overall, it was a decent bowling performance.
A brilliant performance from Afghanistan! They were brilliant with the ball and they have managed to defend 288. They were the favourites right from the start and they have vindicated that with their performance. Ireland will be gutted with their performance and they will look to perform better in the next game.
In over# 1
1
0
6
0
2b
2
Rashid Khan 56/2(10)
49.6
1
On off, Young looks to slog it but gets an inside edge. It goes towards third man. The batsmen take a single. AFGHANISTAN WIN BY 16 RUNS!
49.5
.
BEATEN! Loopy ball outside off, Young looks to go big but misses it.
49.4
6
SIX! That is clobbered! Tossed up delivery on middle, Young lofts it over mid-wicket for a maximum.
49.3
.
BEATEN! Floated outside off, Young looks to defend but misses it due to the away turn on this one.
49.2
2b
BEATEN! Flighted ball outside off, Young looks to swing at it but misses it. It goes past the keeper towards third man. The batsmen take two byes.
49.1
2
Tossed up delivery on off, Young looks to go big but gets an inside edge. It goes past the keeper towards fine leg for a single.
In over# 1
1
1
1
1
1
1wd
1
Gulbadin Naib 36/1(7)
48.6
1
Full delivery on middle, Young looks to flick but gets an inside edge. It goes towards square leg. The batsmen cross ends. Ireland need 28 runs in 6 balls!
48.5
1
Full on middle, McCarthy drives it through mid on for a single.
48.4
1
Length ball on middle, Young punches it through mid on for a single.
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