Twitter Reactions: Mohammad Nabi's all-round skills come to the fore as the hosts draw the first blood

Afghanistan managed to hold onto their forte while playing T20I cricket in Asia. The side managed to keep their winning streak going by defeating Ireland in the first T20I by 5 wickets. Even though Ireland had an upper hand in the majority of the second innings, one good partnership took the game away from them. Mohammad Nabi and Najibullah Zadran played responsible knocks to take the team over the line.

They added 86 runs together and bailed the team out of immense trouble. While it seemed that Afghanistan was bound to lose at one point in time, this duo kept faith in their own ability. Nabi was exceptional both with the bat as well as the ball and was the best performer of the night.

The Afghan spin troika restricts Ireland to a small total

After winning the toss, Ireland decided to have a bat first in the game. Mujeeb Ur Rahman opened the bowling for the hosts and held one end tight. By the end of the powerplay, the Aghan bowlers were successful in picking two wickets. Both Kevin O’Brien and Andy Balbirnie were dismissed for 5 runs each.

Soon after the field restrictions were lifted, Mohammad Nabi also sent skipper Paul Stirling back into the pavilion. Rashid Khan and Nabi kept things tight in the middle overs and didn’t give away any easy runs. At 65/6, Ireland seemed to be in deep trouble at one point in time. But George Dockrell (34*) and Stuart Poynter (31*) played cautious cricket and took their team to 132/6 at the end of 20 overs.

Mohammad Nabi bails Afghanistan out of trouble along with Najibullah Zadran

In the chase, the hosts lost quick wickets and were down to 50/5 within 8 overs. It was always going to be hard to get out of this troubled territory. However, Mohammad Nabi made full use of his experience. Along with Najibullah Zadran, he built a wonderful partnership.

The all-rounder played some calculated cricket and got out the big hits whenever required. Najibullah also responded well and played with a lot of maturity. While Nabi was unbeaten on 49 runs, Zadran piled up 40 runs at the other end to register a 5-wicket win. The fans were elated with this special win and were all praise for the duo of Mohammad Nabi and Najibullah Zadran.

Here is how Twitterati reacted:

Nabi and zadran taking the boys home , Brilliant display of batting. Other batters just need to observe these two#AFGvIRE

— srikrishna 🏏 (@1998Srikrishna) February 21, 2019

Well crafted chase by Nabi & Zadran. #AFGvIRE

— Johns (@CricCrazyJohns) February 21, 2019

@SunRisers might be as happy as I am, @MohammadNabi007 is doing an outstanding work. I can already say congratulations to @ACBofficials and the entire nation.#AFGvIRE #Cricket #T20 #Afghanistan #Ireland #IREvAFG

— Jan Mohammad Dosti (@JanDosti) February 21, 2019

Congratulations @MohammadNabi007, you have completed 1000 runs in your T20 career. And became the first cricketer in Afghanistan to get 1000 runs and 60+ wickets in T20 cricket.#AFGvIRE

— Tanuj Singh (@TanujSi47701251) February 21, 2019

Now Nabi is doing some Job with his Bat! What an essential and under rated Player! #AFGvIRE

— Shabbir Shujaee (@sheiko_bl) February 21, 2019

Afghanistan have beaten Ireland by 5 wickets well played Muhammad nabi #AFGvIRE

— CRICKET LOVE (@CricketMyLove_) February 21, 2019

Poor field placement from the Irish #AFGvIRE

— Mahendra Ratnaweera (@mahenrr) February 21, 2019

What a freak of cricketing fate, watching Afg v Ireland in the most wierdest form of T20, from the most unlikely of Indian venues, Dehera Dun, if this was told to me a decade back? #AFGvIRE

— Mahendra Ratnaweera (@mahenrr) February 21, 2019

In the end, Mohammad Nabi and Najibullah take Afghanistan over the line.

It was a spirited performance from the lads in green though. The partnership between @georgedockrell and @spoynter_90 was a particular highlight.#AFGvIRE | #BackingGreen ☘️ pic.twitter.com/VQLEkg4r7k

— Cricket Ireland (@Irelandcricket) February 21, 2019

Match winning partnership this between Nabi and Zadran #AFGvIRE pic.twitter.com/63T0stOo8g

— Talk Cricket (@TheYorkerBall) February 21, 2019

Zadran having lots of power. #AFGvIRE

— Johns (@CricCrazyJohns) February 21, 2019

Mohammad Nabi is a masterclass on how to gauge the batsmen.

— KASHISH (@crickashish217) February 21, 2019

WOAH! Nabi has just chipped Boyd Rankin over extra-cover for six off the back foot! What a shot from the Afghan veteran.

Scores are level going into the final over!#AFGvIRE 🏏🇦🇫☘️

— Guerilla Cricket (@guerillacricket) February 21, 2019

Went like a tracer bullet what a shot from Mohammad nabi #AFGvIRE

— CRICKET LOVE (@CricketMyLove_) February 21, 2019

This #AFGvIRE T20 is a low-scoring classic. But there's no sign of the promised official stream. It's ridiculous that a game between Full Members can only be watched on a hooky stream which stops when the lad who's hosting it gets a WhatsApp call!

— Nick Royle (@NickARoyle) February 21, 2019

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