Daijiworld Media Network - Belfast
Belfast, Aug 8: Afghanistan secured a convincing 92-run victory over Ireland in the second ODI at the Bready Cricket Club on Friday, taking the lead in the five-match series.
The first ODI had been abandoned without a toss due to rain, while the second match also faced a delayed start because of inclement weather and was reduced to 47 overs per side.
After being asked to bat first, Afghanistan posted 299 for 8, with Ibrahim Zadran top-scoring with 84. Ireland were then bowled out for 207 in 33.4 overs, with Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan producing a brilliant six-wicket haul.
Opting to bowl under overcast conditions, Ireland found some movement with the new ball. Mark Adair opened with a maiden before conceding three runs in his second over, while Jai Moondra struggled against Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
Moondra overstepped twice and conceded four boundaries in his first two overs. Gurbaz then struck him for a six and a four at the start of his third over, but Moondra had the final say as the opener was caught attempting another attacking shot two deliveries later.
Sediqullah Atal continued the scoring momentum despite Moondra remaining expensive. Afghanistan reached 65 for 1 at the end of the Powerplay before the scoring rate slowed.
Ibrahim and Atal then put Afghanistan in control with a 116-run partnership. Ibrahim, who had started cautiously, shifted gears after the Powerplay and completed his half-century from 52 balls in the 19th over.
Their partnership ended in the 25th over when Atal was dismissed by Harry Tector against the run of play.
Ireland managed to bowl several tight overs, but a 43-run stand between Ibrahim and Rahmat Shah kept Afghanistan moving forward. Both batters fell within two overs, with Ibrahim attempting to attack Curtis Campher in the 34th over before Rahmat was caught by Gavin Hoey in the 36th.
Another brisk 43-run partnership between Azmatullah Omarzai and Darwish Rasooli kept Afghanistan on course for a strong total.
Ireland regained some control towards the end of the innings, taking three wickets for 21 runs. However, Hashmatullah Shahidi's aggressive 21-ball 36, which included four boundaries in the final two overs, helped Afghanistan finish strongly on 299 for 8.
Ireland made a positive start in the chase despite losing Paul Stirling and reached the same Powerplay score of 65 for 1.
Andy Balbirnie looked comfortable at the crease and capitalised on deliveries offering width, while Cade Carmichael, playing only his fourth ODI, attacked Saleem Safi for 21 runs in the 14th over.
The assault failed to shift the momentum decisively as Rashid struck twice in quick succession to dismiss Balbirnie and Tector.
Lorcan Tucker and Carmichael attempted to rebuild the innings, with Carmichael completing his maiden ODI half-century from 44 balls. Their 38-run partnership ended when Tucker was run out after losing sight of the ball during an appeal for LBW.
Carmichael fell in the following over, leaving Ireland at 152 for 5.
Ben Calitz and Curtis Campher then launched a surprise counterattack, scoring 41 runs from the next three overs, including five fours and two sixes.
Rashid ended the assault by dismissing Calitz, triggering a dramatic collapse. Ireland lost their final four wickets for just nine runs in four overs, with Rashid claiming three of them to finish with outstanding figures of 6 for 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.