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NEW DELHI (SW): Afghanistan beat Ireland by 6 wickets in the first T20 cricket match of the 3-match series in Greater Noida, India on Wednesday.
Ireland paid the price for ill-disciplined bowling and conceded the first T20 international to Afghanistan by six wickets. According to the ESPNCricinfo, Ireland did most things right at the beginning, but once Afghanistan's spinners began stifling them with regular wickets, things went downhill.
Bating first, Ireland managed to score a decent target of 165 runs in the given 20 overs. SR Thompson remained the top scorer with his 56 runs of 45 balls. He managed to hit 2 sixes and 6 boundaries. Ireland still managed a late recovery – thanks to Gary Wilson's 27-ball 41 not out – that took them to competitive 165 for 5.
Chasing this target, the Afghan side was provided fifty runs partnership for the first wicket by openers Mohammad Shahzad and Najeeb Tarakai. But, the chase was entirely dominated by Samiullah Shenwari and Mohammad Shahzad leading the way as Afghanistan romped to 171 for 4 with 12 balls to spare.
Shinwari was named as man of the match for his 56 of 56 balls that featured 3 sixes and six boundaries. Second match of the series would be played on March 10.
ENDS
