Rashid Khan produced a sensational six-wicket haul as Afghanistan thrashed Ireland by 92 runs in the second ODI at Bready Cricket Club on Friday, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.After the opening ODI was abandoned without a toss due to rain, the second game was also delayed by inclement weather and eventually reduced to 47 overs per side. Afghanistan, led by Ibrahim Zadran, posted 299 for 8 before Rashid ripped through Ireland’s batting line-up, bowling them out for 207 in 33.4 overs.
Ibrahim, Atal lay foundation for Afghanistan
Asked to bat first in overcast conditions, Afghanistan initially found it difficult against Ireland’s new-ball movement. Mark Adair opened with a maiden, but Jai Moondra struggled to contain Rahmanullah Gurbaz, conceding four boundaries in his first two overs.Gurbaz briefly took Moondra apart with a six and a four in the left-arm seamer’s third over, but the bowler had the last laugh when the opener attempted another big shot and holed out.Sediqullah Atal kept the scoring moving, while Ibrahim initially played a more measured innings. Afghanistan reached 65 for 1 before the pair took control, putting together a 116-run partnership.Ibrahim shifted gears and brought up his half-century from 52 balls. Atal’s dismissal in the 25th over ended the stand, but Ibrahim continued to anchor the innings.The Afghanistan captain then added 43 with Rahmat Shah before both fell within two overs. Another 43-run partnership between Azmatullah Omarzai and Darwish Rasooli kept Afghanistan on course, while Hashmatullah Shahidi provided a late flourish with a 21-ball 36, including four boundaries in the final two overs.Despite losing three wickets for 21 runs late on, Afghanistan finished with a formidable 299 for 8.
Rashid sparks Ireland collapse
Ireland made a confident start in the chase, reaching 65 for 1 despite losing Paul Stirling early.Andy Balbirnie looked fluent, while Cade Carmichael, playing only his fourth ODI, launched an aggressive counterattack. Carmichael smashed Saleem Safi for 21 runs in the 14th over and went on to bring up his maiden ODI fifty from 44 balls.But Afghanistan’s spinners soon changed the game.Rashid struck twice in quick succession to remove Balbirnie and Harry Tector, leaving Ireland in need of a substantial partnership. Carmichael and Lorcan Tucker attempted to rebuild, but their 38-run stand ended when Tucker was run out after losing track of the ball during an LBW appeal.Carmichael followed in the next over for 62, leaving Ireland at 152 for 5.Ben Calitz and Curtis Campher briefly threatened to revive the chase, smashing 41 runs in three overs, including five fours and two sixes. Rashid ended that assault by dismissing Calitz, triggering a stunning collapse.Ireland lost their final four wickets for just nine runs, with Rashid claiming three of them to complete remarkable figures of 6-34.The third ODI will be played on Monday, August 10, at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast.
- Brief Scores: 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.
