Afghanistan Hold Off Ireland To Take 13-Run Win

Afghanistan Hold Off Ireland To Take 13-Run Win

Mohammad Nabi (centre) smashes George Dockrell (right) for six as wicket-keeper Niall O'Brien looks on.

©International Cricket Council

Afghanistan 139-8 (Mohammad Nabi 43) beat
Ireland 126 (Porterfield 35, Karim Sadiq 3-17) by 13 runs
ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier Group A, Dubai
Scorecard

Afghanistan made it three international wins out of four over Ireland with a 13-run win in their ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier Group A game in Dubai.

Mohammad Nabi made 43 as Afghanistan posted 139 for eight and a superb bowling performance saw Ireland dismissed for 126 with Karim Sadiq returning three for 17.

Afghanistan made a shaky start, losing the wickets of Sadiq (4) and Shafiqullah (3) before Noor Ali, who hit 42 and Nabi, who smashed an unbeaten 43 in 25 balls with three fours and two sixes, got the innings back on track and despite two wickets from Trent Johnston and Andre Botha, Afghanistan had enough runs in hand.

William Porterfield played the stabilising role for Ireland at the top, hitting 35 in 23 balls as his side lost wickets but support came from Paul Stirling, who made 21 and Alex Cusack, who hit 15 but Afghanistan kept up the pressure with regular wickets.

Sadiq bowled Porterfield and Botha before having Kevin O'Brien caught by captain Nowroz Mangal and a brace apiece from Hamid Hassan and Nabi, who had a superb all-round game, left Ireland with too much to do.

Ireland take on USA in their next match while Afghanistan play Scotland.

© Cricket World 2010

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