In the third and final T20I match between Afghanistan and Ireland, held as part of the Afghanistan vs Ireland series in the UAE 2024, Afghanistan emerged victorious by a significant margin of 57 runs at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. With that the Afghan side also clinched the series.
Ibrahim Zadran impresses with batting heroics
Winning the toss, Afghanistan elected to bat first. Afghanistan’s innings saw a commendable performance from Ibrahim Zadran, who led the charge with a brilliant knock of 72 runs off 51 balls, including five fours and three sixes.
Supporting him were Sediqullah Atal, who scored 19 runs, and Mohammad Ishaq, contributing 27 runs. However, apart from Zadran’s notable innings, the rest of the Afghan batting lineup struggled to make substantial contributions, resulting in a total of 155/7 in their allotted 20 overs.
Azmatullah Omarzai, Naveen ul Haq sizzle with the ball
In response, Ireland faltered in their chase, managing only 98 runs before being bowled out in 17.2 overs. Curtis Campher was the highest scorer for Ireland with 28 runs off 23 balls, followed by Harry Tector‘s 16 runs. However, the Irish batting lineup collapsed under the pressure of Afghanistan’s bowling attack, failing to build significant partnerships.
The Afghan bowlers put up an impressive display, with Azmatullah Omarzai leading the charge by taking four wickets for just nine runs in his four overs. Naveen ul Haq also made significant contributions, claiming three wickets for 10 runs, while Fazalhaq Farooqi and Rashid Khan chipped in with one wicket each.
Ibrahim bags Player of the Match, Rashid takes home Player of the Series
With this convincing victory, Afghanistan clinched the series 2-1, having lost the first match but bounced back strongly to win the next two encounters. Ibrahim’s exceptional performance earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award for his crucial innings. Similarly, Rashid was named Player of the Series, who took 8 wickets in 3 games, including a 4-fer.
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Here is how Twitter reacted:
Dear fellow citizens,
I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you on the victory in the T20 cricket series against Ireland.
Continue to remember us in your prayers and have a blessed Ramadan. pic.twitter.com/Rts0WVdhTM
— Mohammad Nabi (@MohammadNabi007) March 18, 2024
𝐀𝐟𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐧! 🙌
AfghanAtalan have put on a comprehensive performance with the ball in hand to beat Ireland by 57 runs and win the three-match T20I series 2-1. 👏#AfghanAtalan | #AFGvIRE2024 pic.twitter.com/1HxQUhqJls
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) March 18, 2024
🇦🇫💙🙌 pic.twitter.com/kI6wms0BcA
— Ibrahim Zadran (@IZadran18) March 19, 2024
Ibrahim Zadran named player of the Match for his crucial knock of 72*@IZadran18 #AFGvIRE pic.twitter.com/mjk1zWTmx7
— Afghan Cricket Association – ACA (@ACAUK1) March 18, 2024
Great batting by the best batter of Afghanistan! Ibrahim zadran 👏
— Nas (@NasafgNas) March 18, 2024
Afghanistan seal series victory over Ireland in Sharjah 👏#AFGvIRE scorecard 👏 pic.twitter.com/uahgndbF4D
— ICC (@ICC) March 18, 2024
All over. Afghanistan win the series 2-1.
▪️ Afghanistan 155-7 (20 overs)
▪️ Ireland 98 (17.2 overs)SCORE: #BackingGreen ☘️🏏 #IREvAFG pic.twitter.com/EbG3jZkxyp
— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) March 18, 2024
On the other hand, ibrahim zadran finally playing a t20i-esque knock 🙏
— Billy Butcher (@billybutcher26) March 18, 2024
Ibrahim Zadran top-scores as Afghanistan get to 155 – will it be enough to clinch the series win? #AFGvsIRE pic.twitter.com/AtZReZdWha
— Afghan Army 🏏 (@AfghanArmyy) March 18, 2024
Afghanistan🇦🇫 seal series victory over Ireland in Sharjah👏#AFGvIRE pic.twitter.com/fZI136gq5p
— Fareed Stanikzai (@F_STANIKZAI7) March 18, 2024
Great batting by the best batter of Afghanistan! Ibrahim zadran 👏
— Nas (@NasafgNas) March 18, 2024
افغان کرېکټ ملي لوبډلې د ایرلېنډ پر وړاندې خپله درېمه لوبه او ورسره لوبلړۍ وګټل.
ټولو ته دې مبارک وي.@ACBofficials @MirwaisAshraf16 @MohammadNabi007 pic.twitter.com/vb73hteJaW— Khoshhal Taib (@KoshTaib) March 18, 2024
Biggest +ves from the #AFGvIRE series for @ACBofficials:
– @rashidkhan_19’s grand return and his fitness after his back surgery (no complications post surgery).
– The trust and faith in the youth paid off, they shone and performed reasonably well.
– Fielding has improved to an… pic.twitter.com/Rl4Y21njo4— Bashir Gharwal غروال (@bashir_gharwall) March 18, 2024
Afghanistan seal series victory over Ireland in Sharjah 👏#AFGvIRE scorecard 👏 https://t.co/l63YXQ98DB@ICC pic.twitter.com/7sgYAczfiN
— Abdul Aziz Qazizada MD (@DrAbdulAzizQaz1) March 18, 2024
YES, We have won the series🔥🥳💙🙌🏻 #AFGvIRE
🇦🇫🇦🇫🇦🇫🇦🇫🇦🇫🇦🇫— Sharbat Gulla🌼 (@sshharbatgulla) March 18, 2024
“Muhammad Nabi and Rashid Khan proudly hold the series-winning trophy after their 2-1 victory over Ireland in the T20 series.🇦🇫🇮🇪👏
📸 @MohammadNabi007
@rashidkhan_19 #AFGvIRE pic.twitter.com/3e0FVh8mq3— Imran Khan (@Imran_185) March 18, 2024
Rashid Khan after comeback
3/19 1st T20
4/14 2nd T20 and 25(12)
1/12 3rd T20 #RashidKhan #AFGvIREand won the series 🥳🔥
Congratulations captain @rashidkhan_19— 𝚈 ☆ (@Rashidholics) March 18, 2024
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