9 days ago
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.
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 ******* . 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.
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 ******* .
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 ******* ault 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: Afghanist
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.
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 ******* . 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.
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 ******* .
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 ******* ault 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: Afghanist
19 days ago
Ireland have announced a 14-member squad for the first three ODIs of their five-match series against Afghanistan, beginning on August 5, with several first-choice players unavailable due to injuries. The selectors have opted to announce the squad only for the opening three matches, with the remaining two ODIs to be finalised after ****** sing the fitness of injured players.
One of the biggest talking points is the inclusion of Jai Moondra, who made his T20I debut against India earlier this month and impressed during Ireland's historic T20I series triumph over the reigning world champions. The youngster has now received his maiden ODI call-up and is one of two capped T20I players in the squad, alongside Ben Calitz, yet to make their 50-over international debut.
Ireland have also handed a first international call-up to medium pacer Byron McDonough. The 24-year-old enjoyed an impressive domestic campaign with Leinster Lightning, helping them win the Inter-Provincial Limited Overs Cup after claiming eight wickets in five matches. Across nine List A appearances, McDonough has picked up 15 wickets at an average of 29.33.
Captain Paul Stirling returns to lead the side after missing the recent T20I series against India through injury. However, Ireland continue to deal with a lengthy injury list, with Josh Little, Matt Hollard, Craig Young, Barry McCarthy, Jordan Neill and David Delany all unavailable due to injuries or return-to-play protocols. Cricket Ireland confirmed that the squad for the final two ODIs will be announced later, with changes possible depending on the recovery of the injured players.
The Afghanistan series will mark the first ****** ignment for newly appointed head coach Gary Wilson, who recently replaced Heinrich Malan. Former England batter Jonathan Trott will also join the Irish camp as a consultant for the first two ODIs against Afghanistan, having previously served as the Afghan national team's head coach.
The five-match series will also be Ireland's first men's bilateral ODI ****** ignment since hosting the West Indies in May 2025. The opening two matches will be played in Bready, while the remaining three fixtures will take place at Stormont.
Paul Stirling (captain), Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Cade Carmichael, George Dockrell, Gavin Hoey, Andrew McBrine, Liam McCarthy, Byron McDonough, Jai Moondra, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker.
#ireland #t20i #squad
One of the biggest talking points is the inclusion of Jai Moondra, who made his T20I debut against India earlier this month and impressed during Ireland's historic T20I series triumph over the reigning world champions. The youngster has now received his maiden ODI call-up and is one of two capped T20I players in the squad, alongside Ben Calitz, yet to make their 50-over international debut.
Ireland have also handed a first international call-up to medium pacer Byron McDonough. The 24-year-old enjoyed an impressive domestic campaign with Leinster Lightning, helping them win the Inter-Provincial Limited Overs Cup after claiming eight wickets in five matches. Across nine List A appearances, McDonough has picked up 15 wickets at an average of 29.33.
Captain Paul Stirling returns to lead the side after missing the recent T20I series against India through injury. However, Ireland continue to deal with a lengthy injury list, with Josh Little, Matt Hollard, Craig Young, Barry McCarthy, Jordan Neill and David Delany all unavailable due to injuries or return-to-play protocols. Cricket Ireland confirmed that the squad for the final two ODIs will be announced later, with changes possible depending on the recovery of the injured players.
The Afghanistan series will mark the first ****** ignment for newly appointed head coach Gary Wilson, who recently replaced Heinrich Malan. Former England batter Jonathan Trott will also join the Irish camp as a consultant for the first two ODIs against Afghanistan, having previously served as the Afghan national team's head coach.
The five-match series will also be Ireland's first men's bilateral ODI ****** ignment since hosting the West Indies in May 2025. The opening two matches will be played in Bready, while the remaining three fixtures will take place at Stormont.
Paul Stirling (captain), Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Cade Carmichael, George Dockrell, Gavin Hoey, Andrew McBrine, Liam McCarthy, Byron McDonough, Jai Moondra, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker.
#ireland #t20i #squad
2 months ago
A huge couple of days for Irish cricket beckon as India arrive at Stormont for two T20 internationals on Friday and Sunday [both 13:30 BST].
The world champions will face an Ireland side hit by injuries as Josh Little, Mark Adair, Paul Stirling, Curtis Campher, Barry McCarthy and Jordan Neill miss out.
Matthew Hollard and Jai Moondra have received their first Ireland call-ups and Reuben Wilson is included in the T20I squad for the first time after making his debut in the recent Test match against New Zealand.
However, it's the likelihood of an Indian debutant which is capturing the imagination, as 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi looks set to make his international bow.
Nicknamed 'Baby Boss', Sooryavanshi will break Sachin Tendulkar's record for the youngest debutant for India and will also become the youngest ever player to make a debut in an international T20 among ICC full member countries if he features at Stormont.
The world champions will face an Ireland side hit by injuries as Josh Little, Mark Adair, Paul Stirling, Curtis Campher, Barry McCarthy and Jordan Neill miss out.
Matthew Hollard and Jai Moondra have received their first Ireland call-ups and Reuben Wilson is included in the T20I squad for the first time after making his debut in the recent Test match against New Zealand.
However, it's the likelihood of an Indian debutant which is capturing the imagination, as 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi looks set to make his international bow.
Nicknamed 'Baby Boss', Sooryavanshi will break Sachin Tendulkar's record for the youngest debutant for India and will also become the youngest ever player to make a debut in an international T20 among ICC full member countries if he features at Stormont.
