bowled him! Foxes him with the slower ball. On a length around off, and shaping back in to hit leg stump, as White goes low to try and dab, but misses his attempted swipe. Afghanistan win the series 2-1
Afghanistan vs Ireland, 3rd T20I at Sharjah, AFG v IRE, Mar 18 2024 - Match Result
Rashid lifts the series trophy, as Afghanistan come from behind to win the T20I series 2-1. That was it from us for this tour, with Ireland taking the one-off Test, and Afghanistan winning both limited-overs series. Until next time, this is goodnight and goodbye from Vairavan and me, Himanshu! Take care!
Rashid Khan is the Player of the Series: "So happy to be on the winning side. It was tough for me to come back after three-four months. A great series win, especially for the youngsters. They delivered. Even the senior players stood up and performed. Cricket is all about enjoyment; that's why you have to give the free hand to the youngsters. The future of Afghanistan cricket is very bright. We planned about the World Cup since I became the captain. We have in mind that we have to perform at the World Cup. We need to be well prepared, mentally and physically both."
Paul Stirling, Ireland captain: "We were slightly off the pace, and beaten by the better side. But really proud of some performances. It's hard to bowl to any batsman here in the back end. You've got to pick your players and back them; That's what we're going to do. That Test match [win] was special. We look forward to the next series."
Ibrahim Zadran is the Player of the Match: "I am really happy with my performance today. I didn't play well in the first two games. From my side especially, I wanted to play well today. It's quite tough to play all three formats, but I try to adjust with each format as quickly as I can. I try to enjoy and adjust quickly. We don't have any series before the [T20] World Cup, so we'll see where we can improve. But I will work hard for the World Cup. Everyone will try to have a good World Cup."
Time for the presentations
Naveen-ul-Haq: "Coming into the series, I was feeling well. But the first game didn't go my way; it happens. It was a good game [today]. Early breakthroughs were needed. I have been playing quite a lot of T20 cricket. So it is good preparation for me heading into the T20 World Cup. The second wicket I liked the most, because we - me, Nabi and Rashid - had planned it that way."
11.27pm The chase was never on. Never did it feel that Ireland were on track on hunt down 156. They were 15 for 3 in the third over, and Afghanistan ensured there was no way back for Ireland from there. There was a brief recovery during the fourth-wicket stand, but it was nipped at 24; there was hope even during the sixth-wicket pair's counter, but it was broken soon after. Omarzai got 4 for 9, and Naveen bagged 3 for 10, as Afghanistan won comfortably. Hang around for the presentations.
went to pull too early at this short ball outside off, but it went to deep third off his shoulder
tossed up and dipping on the stumps. Swept towards deep midwicket
From around
tucked off the inside edge to short fine, with the ball being on a length outside off
pushed off the inside half of the bat towards deep midwicket
goes to sweep this full ball outside off, but is hit on his pad
defends this fullish ball outside off
White
ahh, brilliantly taken by Ibrahim! He was placed at long-on, but went across to his right and took the ball low while diving forward. Rashid bowled the legspinner on a full length on off, getting it turn away a bit, as Delany went for the slog sweep
Rashid back
short of a length on off, and punched to mid-off
Little
spooned back to Omarzai! He has his fourth, as he stretches his hands out to his left to take it. Omarzai bowled on a short of a length, and the ball moved back in towards leg, while also bouncing considerably. McCarthy skipped down the pitch but was cramped for room, as he ended up swatting it back
short of a length on sixth stump, as he skips down and looks to pull, but is beaten
change of pace, and on a length on off. Pushed towards extra cover
shorter side of a length on off, and tucked towards cover for a hurried single
McCarthy
chopped on! Omarzai has his third. This was bowled on the shorter side of a length on off, with Adair going for the pull shot. But he seemed to have played too early, as the ball ended up landing on the middle and off stumps from his bottom edge
Omarzai back
length ball just outside off, and slashed on the bounce to point
yorker-length ball on off, and squeezed back to the bowler's left
backs away again, and swipes this length ball outside leg to long-on
wow, superb timing! He just punched at this length ball angled in, and coming on outside leg, as Kharote followed Adair, who made room. Four to deep extra cover
fuller on the stumps, and flicked wide of long-on
shortish on off, and quick. Punched to short third
1W | ||||
2W | 1W | |||
1W | ||||
2W | ||||
Sharjah Cricket Stadium | |
Toss | Afghanistan, elected to bat first |
Series | |
Season | 2023/24 |
Player Of The Match | |
Player Of The Series | |
Series result | Afghanistan won the 3-match series 2-1 |
Match number | T20I no. 2529 |
Hours of play (local time) | 20.00 start, First Session 20.00-21.30, Interval 21.30-21.50, Second Session 21.50-23.20 |
Match days | 18 March 2024 - night (20-over match) |
Umpires | |
TV Umpire | |
Reserve Umpire | |
Match Referee |
Over 18 • IRE 98/10