Twitter Reactions: Afghanistan subjugates Ireland in the series decider

Ireland stunned Afghanistan in the 2nd ODI and levelled the series 1-1. Hence, all the focus shifted to the final ODI which was the series decider that was played on Friday. There were a lot of expectations on this game and it was thought that both these teams would give some tough competition to each other. However, Afghanistan dominated the hosts comprehensively in all the three aspects of the game to take home the series.

Courtesy some brilliant bowling from Rashid Khan, Ireland was restricted to a far below par total. The team only managed to put up 124 runs on the board and it couldn’t have got any easier for Afghanistan. Although they struggled in this tour with the bat, they were quite clinical in the chase and have ended the tour on a high.

Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi turn things around for Afghanistan

Ireland won the toss and opted to bat first at the Civil Service Cricket Club at Belfast. But, the team failed to deliver and succumbed to the Afghan bowlers. They were bundled out for just 124 runs in 36.1 overs. Fast bowler Aftab Alam, who has been very impressive in this series sent both the openers William Porterfield and Paul Stirling back into the pavilion within no time. Soon, Gulbadin Naib also joined him and picked two crucial wickets.

Rashid Khan was brilliant as usual and picked the important wickets of Simi Singh, Kevin O’Brien. He combined forces with Nabi and the duo completely pushed Ireland out of the competition. Rashid ended the innings with 3 wickets while Nabi, Aftab and Naib picked two each. Mujeeb Ur Rahman went wicketless in the innings.

Ihsanullah Janat grabs the opportunity

Afghanistan axed Hazratullah Zazai after the failures in the previous games. Hence, Mohammad Shahzad walked out with a new partner in Ihsanullah Janat in this match. Although Boyd Rankin dismissed Shahzad for just 1 run in the 2nd over, Janat and Rahmat Shah stitched together a great partnership. Shah got out after scoring 33 runs off 35 balls at the stroke of lunch.

But, Janat maintained his calm after the lunch break and went on to score an unbeaten half-century. With a 57 off 62 balls from his willow and a 34 off 44 from Shahidi, Afghanistan finished the chase with 8 wickets remaining in just 23.5 overs to win the series. Tim Murtagh and Boyd Rankin picked one wicket each.

Twitterati was glad to see Afghanistan win both the T20I and ODI series. They heaped praises on Rashid Khan and Ihsanullah Janat for their performances. Mohammad Shahzad was trolled for his string of failures.

Here is how Twitter reacted: