ICC World Cricket League: Ireland defeat Afghanistan in 39 runs victroy, Alex Cusack in superb form
Ireland beat Afghanistan by 39 runs in their 2nd match of ICC world cricket league division one.
Ireland won the toss and elected to bat first but did not get off to the best of starts. Stirling, one of the most consistent Irish batsmen was dismissed early after scoring just 6 runs. He was bowled by Khaliq, Stirling faced 12 balls and hit one boundary.
Cusack was in next, but was not allowed to settle by some disciplined Afghan bowling and after scratching around for 17 balls could only score 2 runs, Cusack was caught by Shabir on the bowling of Khaliq.
The fall of wickets continued as the 2nd opener Hall was next to go after scoring just 15 from 29 balls with 2 fours, he was caught by Karim on the bowling of Shapoor.
Ireland was reeling at 27 for 3, that is when Kevin O’Brien and Poynter came together to rebuild the innings, they both decided to make sure that they did not lose any more wickets. The left right combination adapted a cautious approach and went about their business in a calm manner, going for ones and twos at the start.
As soon as the ball stopped moving around the pair started going for their shots as the run rate needed a lift, the partnership was finally broken after 79 runs when Kevin O’Brien was dismissed for 44 runs from 68 balls with 5 fours, he was caught by Hamid on the bowling of Samiullah,
White, came in next and another good partnership was underway, White and Poynter continued the good work but the run rate in this partnership was much quicker. After the 33rd over, when the ball was changed both started using the long handle to good effect. The pair put on 73 for the 5th wicket. White was next to go after scoring 31 runs from 35 balls, with one four and a six. He was caught LBW in front of the stumps by Hamid.
Pointer meanwhile continued to scroll away at the other end, the run rate was hovering around 3 and a half, which was when the veteran Johnston walked in and played a much needed cameo of 42 from just 28 balls with 2 fours and 2 massive sixes.
Poynter was dismissed just before the end of the innings for 78 runs from 109 balls with 6 fours and 1 six, Ireland ended their innings at 237 from the allotted 50 overs.
The wicket was offering good assistance with the new ball and it sure was going to be a testing target for Afghanistan. The Asian side started quite confidently and scored 32 from 9 overs knowing that the required rate was not much, they made sure they kept wickets in hand at the start.
Noor Ali was the first one to go after scoring 21 from 31 balls with just one four; he was caught by Mccann on the bowling of Cusack. The next 2 batsmen were dismissed in quick succession, Shahzad and Mangal left for just 2 and naught respectively.
At 34 for 3 Afghanistan were up against it, but there were no big partnerships like the Ireland innings, Opener Shabir Noori with 38 was the top scorer, while none of the other batsmen managed to get past the 30 run mark. Cusack was in excellent bowling form for Ireland picking up 5 wickets.
Afghanistan were all out for just 198 runs, handing Ireland a 39 run win Poynter from Ireland was named man of the match for his 78 runs.
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