AFP, Dehradun :
Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi starred with both bat and ball as Afghanistan defeated Ireland by five wickets on Thursday’s first Twenty20 international.
Nabi and fellow spinner Rashid Khan took two wickets each to restrict Ireland to 132 for six in the northern Indian city of Dehradun.
He then hit an unbeaten 49 from 86 balls in an unbroken sixth-wicket partnership with Najibullah Zadran as Afghanistan reached the target with four balls to spare and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Afghanistan were in trouble after being reduced to 50-5 but the left-right batting pair of Nabi and Zadran, who made 40, ensured their team’s eighth consecutive T20 win over Ireland.
The 34-year-old Nabi, who was named man of the match, hit five fours and a six in his 40-ball knock while Zadran also took the attack to the opposition bowlers on a seemingly tricky wicket.
Ireland’s pace spearhead Boyd Rankin took two wickets but gave away 39 runs in his four overs.
Earlier Ireland recovered from a precarious 65 for six to bolster their total after electing to bat first in Afghanistan’s adopted homeground.
Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi starred with both bat and ball as Afghanistan defeated Ireland by five wickets on Thursday’s first Twenty20 international.
Nabi and fellow spinner Rashid Khan took two wickets each to restrict Ireland to 132 for six in the northern Indian city of Dehradun.
He then hit an unbeaten 49 from 86 balls in an unbroken sixth-wicket partnership with Najibullah Zadran as Afghanistan reached the target with four balls to spare and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Afghanistan were in trouble after being reduced to 50-5 but the left-right batting pair of Nabi and Zadran, who made 40, ensured their team’s eighth consecutive T20 win over Ireland.
The 34-year-old Nabi, who was named man of the match, hit five fours and a six in his 40-ball knock while Zadran also took the attack to the opposition bowlers on a seemingly tricky wicket.
Ireland’s pace spearhead Boyd Rankin took two wickets but gave away 39 runs in his four overs.
Earlier Ireland recovered from a precarious 65 for six to bolster their total after electing to bat first in Afghanistan’s adopted homeground.
